The Champions Podcast

Join us as we get to know one of our partners in ministry, Mike Bongo! Mike works as the Outreach Director at Living Water Community Church here in Harrisburg, PA. to connect with Mike: ENGAGE Gospel Outreach Youtube [email protected]

What do students actually want from the adults in their lives? Not what we assume but what they actually want. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the mentor-student relationship and sharing 3 things young people indicate they need most. Whether you're a mentor, a parent, a coach, or anyone who cares about the next generation, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Champions Youth Mentoring is on a mission share the love of Jesus with students by showing up, showing love, and repeating.

Are in you central PA and interested in becoming a mentor? Visit www.championsyouthmentoring.org

This episode is just a quick update on our building purchase process. I am realizing it is a very slow process and it's very different from buying a house. With a board, we need to get everyone on board and moving in the same direction which takes some time. Additionally, we are all needed to play a part in the fundraising process so definitely some growing pains but overall, a good learning experience. We are just about ready to begin fundraising so hopefully the next update will be about how the process is going.

This is the beginning of a side series exploring the process of finding a permanent home for Champions Youth Mentoring. As we go through the process there are a lot of unknowns, research, fears, and of course fundraising.

If you can relate, we'd love to hear your story. Reach out to us at [email protected].

Part of the big question we are facing now is do we rent space where we save money but have a bigger facility or do we buy which is much more expensive but in the end, we can create whatever we want and own it?

We are praying for guidance and wisdom. That's for sure!

As we look ahead to 2026, Champions is doubling down on whole-person mentoring—spiritual, emotional, and now physical. In this episode, we explain why health and fitness are essential for the students we serve, how it fits our Christ-centered mission, and what this means for the future of Champions Youth Mentoring.

In this episode, Jeff and Emsy discuss some of the best practices of being an effective mentor or volunteer with students. We cover how to have meaningful conversation, the power of listening, what the friendship actually looks like, and some safety protocols as well.

Hope you find this info helpful.

Got some related topics you'd like to hear about? Drop us an email at [email protected]

Join Jeff and Emsy as we have a clear, honest discussion about what prayer actually is, what the Bible teaches about it, and how to build a real conversation with God—not a performance. We cut through the misconceptions and get practical about why prayer matters and how to start.

In this episode of The Champions Podcast, we sit down with Kurt and Ty'rez — a mentor and student whose friendship has grown far beyond the weekly meetups. They open up about what they've learned from each other, the fun they've shared, and how God's hand has been at work in the middle of it all. It's not always easy, but as you'll hear, real impact happens when you just keep showing up.

In this episode, Jeff and Emsy discuss the power of mentoring and why it is our chosen "method". Because relationship is so important to getting to know and trust Jesus, we discuss the value of relationship with students and some of the impact we have seen.

How about you? How has relationship impacted your relationship with God?

Welcome to The Champions Podcast — a show from Center for Champions, where we share the heart behind Christ-centered mentoring. In this first episode, we introduce who we are, why we believe mentoring changes lives, and what it means to walk alongside youth with the hope of Jesus. You'll also get a glimpse of what's to come — conversations with mentors, mentees, parents, and leaders from other ministries who are making an impact in their communities. Join us as we celebrate stories of transformation and explore what it means to raise up champions for Christ.

Show up

Show love

Repeat

~Jeff and Emsy