Simple Kids Ministry

n this episode, Lauren Jackson from Kids Ministry Circle joins us to dig into one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of building a healthy kids ministry: onboarding volunteers. We talk about what a great onboarding experience actually looks like, how to set volunteers up to stay, and why so many leaders skip steps that matter. We also get into the nuances of working with student volunteers and why teenagers might be your most underrated asset on a Sunday morning. Lauren brings the kind of wisdom that only comes from years of doing the work. If you want a volunteer culture worth staying for, this one's for you.

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Simple Kids Ministry

KIDMIN U

Kids Ministry Circle Podcast

What does it look like to step into a kids ministry leadership role as a young leader — especially when you're following someone with a big legacy? This episode covers the unique challenges and advantages of leading young, how to develop your own leadership identity instead of copying someone else's, and what it means to do ministry through people rather than for them. We also get into curriculum choices, how to structure kids ministry inside a multisite church, and how to create genuine worship moments that actually connect with kids. A practical, honest conversation for anyone in the early stages of leading a kids ministry.

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⁠Join the Simple Kids Ministry community⁠

⁠Go! Curriculum⁠

⁠The Bible App for Kids⁠

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Dan Pollak, Kids Ministry Director at Flatirons Church in Colorado. They dig into what kids ministry can learn from youth culture, how to challenge kids without losing them, and the critical role a consistent small group leader plays in a child's spiritual growth. They also get surprisingly honest about the real cost — financial and otherwise — of building original curriculum from scratch.

This one is full of gems. Don't miss it.

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Join the Simple Kids Ministry community

Kids ministry gets chaotic — that's a given. But how you respond when things go sideways is what separates good leaders from great ones.

In this solo episode, Jeremy introduces a framework from KIDMIN U called poise — the ability to stay calm and composed when things don't go as planned. He shares three practical ways to develop this skill: experience, perspective, and preparation.

This episode is designed to share with your team — check the show notes for a free discussion guide to use at your next staff meeting.

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KIDMIN U

HOW TO VBS Book

Sign up for HOW TO VBS Live on April 10

Poise Discussion Guide for Teams

In this episode, we sit down with Andy, Global Kids Ministry Ambassador for OneHope — the organization behind the Bible App for Kids and the Kids Bible Experience on YouVersion.

Andy unpacks what OneHope's latest research on Gen Z and Gen Alpha is revealing — including the alarming gap between how many young people identify as Christian versus how many actually engage their faith.

He also dives into why parents are the missing piece in faith formation, why less than 10% of churches are resourcing them, and what it looks like practically to bridge that gap on a Sunday.

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Simple Kids Ministry community

OneHope

The Bible App for Kids

Kids Bible Experience

Kidmin Collective

What does it look like to build a kids ministry curriculum completely from scratch — original songs, music videos, lesson plans, and more?

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Kelli Ayotte, who spent 10 years in children's ministry co-leading a creative team alongside her husband Jordan at Sandals Church. Kelli shares how they identified the "gap" that drove their decision to create original content, what it was like to lead a collaborative team as a married couple, and how COVID became an unexpected turning point for family engagement.

She also opens up about partnering with parents, the power of authentic storytelling, and lessons learned from years of ministry. Plus, hear about her new book, I Am Kelphaba, and what life looks like after stepping away from vocational ministry.

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Sandals Kids YouTube

Kelli’s new book, I Am Kelphaba

HOW TO VBS

VBS Vault

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Kirsten Hitchcock to explore one of the most overlooked—but critical—topics in kids ministry: understanding ages and stages.

From cognitive development to spiritual formation, Kirsten shares how kids actually learn over time—and why that should shape everything from your teaching to your environments. Together, they unpack what it looks like to distill truth without diluting it, why “God is” statements matter more than behavior-focused lessons, and how to build a discipleship strategy that grows with kids instead of overwhelming them.

You’ll also hear an honest conversation about what really matters most in ministry (hint: it’s not your building), how to think about curriculum and spiritual growth roadmaps, and why relationships will always outperform aesthetics.

Whether you’re leading in a large church or a small, set-up-and-teardown environment, this episode will help you rethink how you disciple kids in a way that’s both practical and deeply intentional.

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HOW TO VBS

Luke Storybook

Wonder Ink

How do you measure success in kids ministry?

For many leaders, talking about numbers feels uncomfortable. Ministry is about people, not metrics. But ignoring the numbers can actually make it harder to serve families well.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with longtime kids pastor turned lead pastor David Reneau to talk about the role data can play in healthy ministry. David shares how tracking the right metrics can help leaders identify what’s working, spot problems early, and steward their ministry more effectively.

They discuss practical things like attendance trends, visitor return rates, spiritual milestones, and why dashboards can help you tell the story of your ministry to senior leadership. They also talk about the balance between numbers and the heart behind ministry. As David explains, numbers shouldn’t replace the mission, but they can reveal whether the mission is actually being accomplished.

If you’ve ever wondered how to evaluate your ministry without turning it into a business, this conversation will give you practical tools and a healthier perspective.

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David Renault

Next Level Kidmin Book

HOW TO VBS Book

When you think about a 1,200-kid VBS, it’s easy to assume it’s all hype and high energy. But what actually makes an event like that work?

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Amanda Peck, Children’s Director at The Grove Community Church, to pull back the curtain on what it takes to execute VBS at a high level year after year. From leadership structure and volunteer empowerment to signage, registration systems, and follow-up strategy, Amanda shares practical insights that churches of any size can apply immediately.

You’ll hear:

• Why “less is more” has become their guiding philosophy

• How to decide between writing your own VBS or using a kit

• The power of branding (and why they call it Summer Splash)

• How to create a smooth day-one experience for families

• Why handwritten postcards still matter

• The leadership structure that keeps a massive event running smoothly

Whether you’re launching VBS for the first time or refining a long-standing tradition, this conversation will help you simplify, sharpen your focus, and remember what matters most.

Because at the end of the day, if even one child meets Jesus — it’s worth it.

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HOW TO VBS Book

The Grove Community Church

Kids ministry is facing a leadership crisis—and most churches aren’t prepared for it.

In this conversation, Vance Martin from Slingshot shares what he’s learned from helping hundreds of churches hire and develop NextGen leaders. He explains why kids pastor roles are some of the hardest to fill, why many leaders struggle to gain support, and what separates those who burn out from those who last.

More importantly, Vance reveals the leadership shift that changes everything: moving from being a doer to becoming a developer. You’ll learn how to build trust with your pastor, lead up effectively, and create a ministry that grows beyond your personal capacity.

If you want to lead with greater clarity, influence, and longevity, this episode will show you how.

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KIDMIN U

Slingshot Group