In this episode, Steve Cherrico sits down with Justin Theriot, District Director of Greater Cincinnati, and Ty Singleton, new Area Coordinator. Together, they discuss the journey of bringing First Priority to Cincinnati, from Justin's early days of "tilling soil" alone to the incredible growth the District is experiencing today. With 15 active clubs and plans to exceed 20 schools by year-end, they share powerful stories of students encountering the Gospel and lives being transformed on public school campuses.

Ty reflects on his personal testimony—how a peer's boldness to share the Gospel saved his life—and why this mission resonates deeply with him. They dive into the unique challenges and opportunities within Cincinnati's public schools, the hunger among students for truth, and the pivotal role of student leaders in spreading hope.

Justin, a homeschooler called to public school ministry, shares how his fresh perspective is shaping his approach, while Ty highlights the importance of peer-to-peer evangelism in reaching today’s students.

Tune in to hear about the growing impact in Greater Cincinnati, how God is moving through First Priority, and the vision for even greater expansion in the region.

Welcome to Season 6 of the First Priority Podcast! Join host Steve Cherrico and guest Will Sherman, District Director for First Priority in Fort Worth, Texas, as they dive into the mission of uniting local churches to take the Hope of Christ to students across the United States. Will shares his journey from youth ministry to leading a First Priority district, the significance of Fort Worth as the birthplace of the ministry, and how empowering students to share the Gospel remains at the heart of their mission.

Key Highlights:

Subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring stories of students, leaders, and communities working together to share the Gospel. Learn how you can support First Priority or start a club in your area by visiting firstpriority.club.

Connect with Us:

In this final session of ALIGN 2024, join Steve Cherrico and Josh Lane as they deliver a powerful commission to everyone involved in the First Priority mission. Building on the momentum from the previous sessions, this episode challenges listeners to step into the mission field with renewed passion, clarity, and focus.

If you haven’t listened to the first three sessions of ALIGN 2024, we highly encourage you to catch up! Each session builds on the next, leading to this compelling finale. Steve and Josh call us to reflect on the impact of First Priority’s mission and remind us that our work is a response to the Gospel and a reflection of God’s Kingdom.

Tune in to hear how you can take what you’ve learned, align it with your calling, and step boldly into the mission field to make a lasting difference.

Key Takeaways:

In this episode of the First Priority Podcast, we dive into Session #3 of Align 2024 with another keynote speaker, Kevin Kolb. Kevin shares how building authentic connections and fostering a positive culture can inspire transformation in our lives, teams, and communities.

In this episode, Kevin EMPOWERS us by:

Join us for this inspiring conversation as Kevin unpacks how we can transform our spheres of influence by leading with intention and Christ-centered love.

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Texas native, Kevin excelled as a football standout in Stephenville and went on to earn accolades at the University of Houston before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. After a successful seven-year NFL career, Kevin transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding several businesses. 

In this episode of the First Priority Podcast, we bring you Session 2 of Align 2024, featuring J.D. Simpson’s message on Encourage. Drawing from Hebrews 10:23-25, J.D. offers three key takeaways:

With over 30 years of ministry experience, J.D. Simpson serves as the Executive Director of First Priority in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and is a national board member for First Priority of America. 

Scripture Focus: Hebrews 10:23-25

Tune in to be encouraged, challenged, and reminded of the importance of faith, community, and motivation in your walk with Christ.

Subscribe and share this episode to spread encouragement to those in your ministry and community.

In this special episode, we’re sharing a session from our First Priority annual conference, Align 2024. Join us as we hear from Joseph Daley, CEO and President of The Daley Group Real Estate Team in Birmingham, Alabama. Joseph’s career in real estate began at just 22, and he's now a top 5% agent in Birmingham and a recognized leader within Keller Williams Realty International. Beyond his success in real estate, Joseph has a background in ministry, serving as a student leader with First Priority, and continues to support the ministry as an Executive Board member for First Priority of Alabama and Priority Kids of America.

In this talk, Joseph challenges us to consider: “Who do I have to become in order to be the leader God has called me to be?” He explores key principles that guide his own leadership journey:

1. Self-Development – Becoming the best version of yourself.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, Joseph’s story offers inspiration and practical wisdom on becoming the leader you’re meant to be.

In this episode, Brad Schelling and Steve Cherrico dive into the incredible impact that personal invitations have during Invite Week of the EPIC cycle. They share how a simple invite can transform a student's experience, making them feel welcomed and valued. Brad and Steve reflect on the courage it takes to walk into unfamiliar spaces, like a First Priority club, and how a personal invitation can break down those barriers.

While social media and flyers are great for raising awareness, nothing beats the feeling of being personally invited. They discuss practical tools that First Priority offers—like invitation cards and prayer cards—to help students extend an invitation with confidence and purpose. The conversation also highlights the importance of prayer in this process, encouraging students to pray for their friends as they invite them to be a part of something life-changing.

In the second half of the episode, Brad and Steve share inspiring stories from First Priority clubs, where personal invitations have led to deeper connections with peers, increased church engagement, and decisions to follow Christ. From students requesting Bibles to leading prayers, the ripple effect of one simple invitation is powerful and lasting.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal invitations make it easier for students to enter unfamiliar spaces, fostering a sense of belonging.

Call to Action: Encourage students to pray for one friend and invite them to their First Priority club this week. Use the resources provided, including invitation cards, to make that personal connection and create a welcoming space for new students to experience the love and hope of Christ.

• The Align 2024 event aims to unite First Priority leadership.

Quotes: 

• "We want to align around the mission."

In this episode, Steve Cherrico sits down with Christian illusionist Bryan Drake to explore the challenges and triumphs of engaging students in faith, both on public school campuses and in everyday life. Bryan shares inspiring stories from his journey, including his personal involvement with First Priority since high school, and his work as a Christian illusionist. 

They discuss the unique struggles students face today and the growing hunger for truth among young people. Together, they reflect on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in transforming students’ lives and how, despite their imperfections, God’s grace is sufficient in all circumstances.

Join us for this encouraging episode as we dive deep into the power of the Gospel in the lives of students and how we, as leaders, can make a lasting impact on the next generation.

Connect with Bryan! 

• Website: BryanDrakeShow.com

In this episode, Brad sits down with Devon Rachae, pastor and Operation Christmas Child ambassador, to discuss the powerful partnership between First Priority and Operation Christmas Child. Devon shares his inspiring story of receiving a shoebox as a child and how it transformed his life, ultimately leading him to become a pastor and dedicate his life to serving others through this ministry.

Throughout the conversation, Brad and Devon highlight the impact that simple shoebox gifts can have on children around the world, illustrating how each one is not only packed with love but also prayer. From incredible stories of children whose lives were forever changed to the ripple effect of hope that these gifts bring to entire communities, they explore the true power of the Gospel in action.

Listeners will be encouraged to get involved—whether through packing shoeboxes, praying over the children receiving them, or supporting Operation Christmas Child's mission to spread the love of Jesus. This episode is a reminder that everyone can play a part in bringing the hope of the Gospel to those who need it most.

Key Takeaways:

• The partnership between First Priority and Operation Christmas Child helps share the Gospel through shoebox gifts.