Redpoint

Adama is the youth pastor at the Evanston Vineyard. In our conversation we talk about the benefits of having a multi-cultural youth group. Specifically, how our differences can serve to enrich each other's faith. Adama also talks about as leaders, how we can learn to check our biases that may influence who we minister to. And lastly, we discuss being willing to have uncomfortable conversations about race and ethnicity.

Becca is the Youth and Children's Pastor at River Heights Vineyard in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Donna is a young adult leader in her youth group. Together we discuss the challenges and realities of leading a multicultural youth group. They share some of the ways they have proactively worked to make the group a welcoming place for anyone regardless of their ethnicity or language. It's been challenging, but it's been so rewarding, and their joy is evident in this wonderful conversation!

Alex is the Student Union Director at Vineyard Cincinnati Church. In this episode we talk about how to change culture in a youth ministry to see a turnaround, the importance (and difficulty) of delegation, empowering teens, and making decisions people don't like. It's a full episode! We also cover the secret truth of deep dish pizza that no one in Chicago is talking about.

David is the youth pastor at the North Phoenix Vineyard in Phoenix AZ. In our conversation we talk about how to keep connection with teens at the core of our youth culture, regardless of the size of the group. We also talk a lot about creating culture, working together with volunteer leaders, and how preparation can facilitate the work of the Spirit.

Santos is the High School Youth Pastor at Vineyard Columbus. In our conversation we talk about the challenges and benefits of leading a large youth group. We talk about recruiting adult leaders, and empowering teen leaders. We spend time talking about how to make sure you don't get stuck on stage, not knowing any of your teens. We also spend a lot of time discussing how to create a youth ministry that Gen Z wants to attend: how to create space for teens to feel free to share their thoughts and beliefs even if they aren't lining up perfectly with Scripture yet.

Jordan is the Youth Director for Vineyard Lake Charles in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In this episode we talk about the power of smaller groups to produce a family atmosphere that is so needed in the lives of teens, and the obstacles he faces as he tries to facilitate that. We also talk about discipleship, not giving up, and the internal struggle of watching kids "not get it."

Join us for a special episode as we interrupt our normal schedule to sit down with Miriam Swanson, the Director of Fusion USA. Fusion and Vineyard Youth are building a patnership to help high school seniors better transition into college AND to help churches embody the discipleship of Jesus to college freshman in their towns. You don't want to miss this!

Danica is the Youth & Young Adult Pastor at Faith Vineyard in Kearney, MO. She has had the unique experience of pastoring both large (over 100) and small (under 20) youth groups. In this episode we talk about why there are advantages to smaller groups. We also spend time talking about how important it is for leaders to be flexible, and why risk taking can lead to some great adventures with God if we can just say yes.

Tyler is the Youth Director at CityLight Vineyard Church in Newark, Delaware. In this episode we talk about how to do Holy Spirit ministry in the context of a smaller group that meets in people's homes, the benefits of personal relationships with your teens, and how to balance being bi-vocational and starting a family!

Amy is a wife, mom of 2 girls, worshiper, and Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Hood River Oregon's Children Pastor and Youth Director. In this episode we discuss what it looks like to really be present, the sacrifices it takes, and why having a smaller group actually might make deeper discipleship more likely. We also discuss the challenges of being married with little kids AND doing ministry, as well as the miracle that is "take and bake" pizza. You won't want to miss it!