Doug Fields is one of the leading experts and practitioners of youth ministry in the church today. His books and resources are used by thousands of youth workers all over the world. Now a grandparent of nine, Doug shares with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe how he has been able to transfer many youth ministry principles to his role as a grandparent. During this conversation, they also discuss ways for youth workers to involve, encourage and equip grandparents. Doug also reveals one of true advantages of being a Tesla owner. 

Doug’s websites:

• www.dougfields.com
• www.downloadyouthministry.com

Books mentioned:

• Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
• The Intentional Parent by Doug and Cathy Fields

Keeping Up with Youth Culture:

• www.axis.org (subscribe to their weekly newsletter The Culture Translator)
• www.cpyu.org (lots of current youth culture information here)
• www.homeword.com (subscribe to HomeWord’s Culture Update newsletter)

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with Mark Gerson, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and author of God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Has Proved that the Torah Is True. From his uniquely Jewish perspective, Mark explains why the teachings of Moses emphasize the crucial role that grandparents play in the lives of grandchildren and what social science has proven about the health benefits of intentional grandparenting. You’ll enjoy this conversation which takes several interesting turns including Mark’s description of “the best people in the world.”

For more information: https://www.godwasright.com/

Dr. Joannie DeBrito is a licensed marriage & family therapist, social worker and the former director of parenting and youth for Focus on the Family. She has also written a feature column for LegacyCoalition.com called “Ask Dr. Joannie,” a Q & A for grandparents on a variety of topics. On this podcast, Dr. Joannie talks with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe about such grandparenting issues as grandparent estrangement, influencing grandchildren’s screen time, communicating effectively about political differences, aging gracefully and much more.

Resources mentioned on this podcast:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Bunny Blue  by Catherine Stahlman

Gary Alexander is a retired businessman who started writing letters to his ten grandchildren as they were approaching their teen years to guide them into their emerging adulthood and to share his faith with them. 55 of those letters were compiled into a book titled Love Papa: Letters of Wisdom from a Grandfather to His Grandchildren. In this podcast, Gary explains to Wayne Rice and John Coulombe why and how he wrote these letters and how he ended up publishing them in book form. He even reads one of his letters from the book that answers the question “Why Did I Write These Letters?” As you listen to Gary, you’ll be inspired to consider the power of letter-writing as a way to connect with your grandchildren and to pass on a legacy of faith.

Resources mentioned during this podcast:

Love, Papa: Letters of Wisdom from a Grandfather to His Grandchildren by Garold W. Alexander

GaroldWAlexander.com

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

My Wish of All Wishes by Larry Fowler

Renowned children’s musician Mary Rice Hopkins and her puppet ministry partner Darcie Maze talk with Wayne Rice (Mary’s brother) and John Coulombe about their upcoming “Grand Kids Camp” being held in Glendale, California this summer, an example of what can be done by individuals or local churches as a way to help grandparents connect with their grandchildren in a creative and powerful way. In addition, Mary and Darcie talk about their ministry to kids over the years and we get to hear some of Mary’s most popular songs. 

Websites mentioned on the podcast:

• MaryRiceHopkins.com
• MRHKids.org
• PuppetswithaHeart.com
• LinksPlayers.com

Books mentioned during the podcast:

• Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name by Max Lucado
• Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science by Louie Giglio
• The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio

Kari Baker is the founder of "KiND Families," a ministry that exists to encourage and equip parents and grandparents who have children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions that seem invisible to the naked eye but which have great impact on behavior, social, and academic performance. Kari is also the author of the recently released book Finding KiND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences. Wayne and John talk with Kari not only about what she has learned raising a child with autism and ADHD, but also how her experience has deepened her relationship with God. You will enjoy this inspiring and informative conversation.

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne and John talk with Charlie Bradshaw, executive pastor at North Coast Community Church in Vista, California and a respected expert on leadership. They talk at length about a legacy project that Charlie did for each of his grandkids—presenting them with a personalized notebook full of wisdom and photos, hand-selected and written by their grandfather. He explains not only what he did, but why and how he did it. He also shares other grandparenting ideas and life principles that have helped him to become an intentional Christian grandparent. 

In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with James and Geoffrey Banks, co-authors of Hope Lies Ahead: Encouragement for Parents of Prodigals from a Family That’s Been There. James is the founding pastor of Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina and a speaker at this year’s Legacy Grandparenting Summit. Geoffrey Banks is the son of James Banks and is currently the youth pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. But before Geoff became a youth pastor, he spent more than a decade as a “prodigal,” following the crowd rather than Jesus. Geoff shares openly how he became addicted to drugs and walked away from his faith while his parents prayed fervently for his return. James and Geoff share their remarkable story of redemption and offer hope and guidance for parents and grandparents who are currently praying for their prodigal children or grandchildren.

For more information: https://jamesbanks.org/

What role do grandparents play in making disciples of grandchildren? How can grandparents support their children as they lead their children to follow Christ? In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe have a lively conversation with Barrett Johnson, founder of “INFO for Families” and author of Disciple Them Like Jesus: Leading Your Kids the Way Christ Led the Twelve. Johnson describes a simple strategy for discipleship based upon the ministry Christ had with his disciples and he shares his personal story which has compelled him to leave a spiritual legacy for his children and grandchildren. John and Wayne also talk with Barrett about his online course “Smartphones 101” and the impact that technology is having on family life today. Learn more about Barrett Johnson's ministry at https://www.infoforfamilies.com/

There are lots of excellent resources available now for older adults who want to share their life stories with their children and grandchildren. In this episode of Legacy Grandparenting, Wayne Rice and John Coulombe talk with Sheri Kohlmann, founder and director of More Than Words, Inc., an organization that helps adults of all ages to reflect on their lives in a more meaningful and in-depth way and to share their stories with guided autobiographies, ethical wills and other methods for preserving and passing on a legacy that can last for generations. During the podcast, Sheri demonstrates her interviewing skills by getting John Coulombe to open up about some of his formative early memories. For more information about More Than Words, visit www.morethanwordsinc.com.