Today's episode is Vance Martin. He is a friend, a leader who I trust deeply, and a champion for all things Next Gen Ministry.

Vance serves as the VP of Next Gen for Slingshot Group and is here to help us all think strategically and intentionally around developing leaders in the local church.

Vance & I talk about all things developing the next generation and kids ministry leaders everywhere can ask the question, "Who are you investing in?"

It was a gift to interview Dave & Jess Ray from Doorpost Songs. Musical worship is a huge component to local church kids ministry but few actually know how to teach kids about worship.

Dave & Jess ask a few big questions and help us think intentionally about what songs we play, how our volunteers interact, and how we can teach the next generation of singing God's word.

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Book Club

Connect with Doorpost Songs:

@doorpostsongs

https://doorpostsongs.com/about/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/doorpost-songs/1443023116

In this weeks episode, I am joined by Kayla Maxey. Kayla is a Family Life Pastor here in Colorado and she wears many hats. Kayla talks about the importance of being a connector and not carrying the load by herself but bringing in your fellow staff and key volunteers.

Kayla's church also has a year-round preschool at their church and we definitely talk about that relationship and how to share space in a way that glorifies God!

Are you in the middle of summer programming or planning VBS for the very first time? I invited 3 of my favorite kids ministry leaders who just happen to have buckets of knowledge when it comes to VBS to answer some of the questions you all submitted.

We cover everything from schedules to preschool programs and curriculum to family follow up. I hope this workshop helps you as you are planning your own summer events.

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Event Debrief Guide  

Deeper Kid Min Resources:

Ultimate VBS Planner

VBS Prayer Countdown

Salvation Decision Card

May is National Foster Care Month so we are talking about the many ways the church can care for foster + adopt families. I believe that Kids Ministry leaders are at the forefront of caring for these families and we want to do to it well.

I invited my friend Matthew Haines to join me on the podcast to share his experience as a kids ministry leader and foster dad. Matthew shares so much wisdom from both sides of the conversation.

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Book Club

Foster Parent Well Podcast

@foster.parenting

@nicoletbarlow

@matthewmhaines

Tap into your creative side today!

My guest is Madi Hackworth or you may know her as Madi Hax on Instagram. Madi has set out to use her gifting and bring creative resources to kids ministry leaders and ministries all over. She is such a gift to this community and I know you will love hearing her story and learning from all the wisdom she has to offer! 

Connect with Madi:

@madihaxcreative

https://www.madihax.com/

In today's episode I invited Matt McDermott, the Director of Student Ministry Circle to talk all about promotion Sunday!

We all know that there is no jr. Holy Spirit but how does that truth play out in Sunday morning programming? I invited Mal Corwin to help us think about that questions. Mal is the lead kids pastor at the Belonging Co. in Nashville, TN and she shares so many stories of how her church is making space for kids to hear and talk to God.

In any podcast conversation, it is helpful to be reminded that you don’t need to implement everything you hear and this conversation with Mal is no excuse. But I do hope that by listening to this episode today, you feel encouraged and challenged create some space. Kids are navigating a hard world throughout the week and I am confident that if we can teach kids that they can and how to listen and talk to God, it will make a difference as they grow. 

Resources Mentioned:

Child Discipleship Forum

VBS Workshop

Connect with Mal & The Belonging Co:

@malcorwin

@thebelongingco

https://thebelonging.co/