What does it look like to live out the value of being Passionate & Inspiring?

In this episode, Brad and Steve are joined by Jeff Stanford, Director of First Priority Ozarks, and Joe Maldonado, Executive Director of First Priority Florida Space Coast, to discuss how passion for Christ and the mission inspires students, churches, volunteers, and entire communities to get involved.

Together, they explore why passion is more than excitement. It's a commitment to the mission that encourages others to take action. Through stories of student leadership, life change, and ministry impact, they share how living this value creates a culture that points people to Jesus and equips the next generation to reach their peers.

The new school year is almost here, and with it comes HOPE, First Priority's new 4-week cycle designed to equip students to confidently take the Hope of Christ to their campuses.

In this episode, Brad Schelling sits down with Fort Worth Director Heather Bundy to walk through everything Club Mentors and Student Leaders need to know before launching this year's Clubs. From training resources and Club structure to the new HOPE Cycle and Gospel Tools, this conversation provides a practical overview of what to expect and how to prepare your team for a successful year of ministry.

📘 Download the HOPE Guide

🛍️ Order HOPE Resources

📱 First Priority App

🌐 Learn More About First Priority

Thank you for investing in students and partnering with First Priority to take the Hope of Christ to every student.

In this episode, Brad Schelling and Steve Cherrico are joined by Larry Bragg, Director of First Priority Metro East, to kick off our new series on First Priority's Personnel Values. The conversation begins with stories of God's faithfulness from across the ministry, including a thriving new Club and student-led growth on campuses.

The focus then shifts to our first personnel value: Christ Follower.

Larry shares how God called him into First Priority, why following Christ must come before pursuing ministry goals, and how bold faith can influence entire families, schools, and communities. Together, the team discusses radical obedience, encouraging student leaders, staying grounded in Scripture, and what it looks like to remain close to Christ during busy seasons of ministry.

• Why "Christ Follower" is the foundation of every other value

Learn more about First Priority and our mission to take the hope of Christ to every student at FirstPriority.org.

In this episode, Steve Cherrico and Brad Schelling kick off a new podcast series focused on the five personnel values that shape the culture of First Priority. These values help define the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to healthy leadership and effective ministry.

Together, they discuss the difference between ministry core values and personnel core values, explore how these values were developed through EOS® and Traction®, and share why they continue to guide the way First Priority leaders serve students, churches, schools, and communities.

The conversation also highlights exciting updates from FP Connect, stories of new club opportunities across the country, and a preview of the upcoming episodes that will take a deeper look at each individual core value.

• Updates on FP Connect and new club opportunities across the country

• The difference between ministry core values and personnel core values

• An overview of First Priority's five personnel values:

• Why culture matters in ministry leadership

• How strong values create healthy teams and sustainable growth

The next episode takes a deeper look at the first core value, Christ Follower, featuring special guest Larry Bragg from First Priority Metro East.

Raising money for ministry can feel like the hardest part of the work… but what if it actually became one of the most life-giving parts of it?

In this breakout session from Align 2025, Joe Maldonado shares how his First Priority region grew to 50+ clubs across multiple counties while keeping things simple, relational, and sustainable. Instead of chasing big events or complicated strategies, Joe walks through a clear, repeatable approach built on relationships, small gatherings, and sharing real stories of impact.

From Director Dinners to Monthly Donors and Church Partnerships, you’ll hear exactly how he structured a plan that funded growth without adding pressure.

If fundraising has ever felt frustrating or disconnected from your calling, this episode will help you rethink it as part of the mission and give you a practical way to move forward.

First Priority → https://firstpriority.org

Brad and Steve introduce another breakout session from Align 2025, featuring Logan Miller and Tayana Bradley on social media marketing for First Priority.

In this conversation, Logan and Tayana share practical ways Chapters can use social media to tell the story of what God is doing on campuses. From simple posting rhythms to empowering students to share what’s happening at their clubs, the session focuses on keeping the mission visible and helping more students hear about First Priority.

You’ll hear:

• How Chapters can consistently share club stories online

If you want practical ideas for sharing the First Priority story and reaching students where they already spend time online, this breakout session is worth the listen. 🙌📱

In this episode, Steve and Brad recap a practical breakout session from the Align 2025 Conference: the Culture Index! Download this worksheet before you start listening.

Hosted by Ashley Jones and Travis Neff, they break down how this profiling tool helps teams understand how they’re wired and how that wiring impacts leadership, communication, hiring, and burnout.

🧠 Learn what the core traits reveal about drive, social style, pace, detail, logic, creativity, and energy capacity.

This conversation is not about labeling people. It’s about building stronger, healthier teams so we can serve the mission of First Priority with clarity, unity, and purpose.

In Session 3 of the Align 2025 series, Permian Basin leaders Shane and Natalie Kenny share what it really takes to build a sustainable First Priority ministry that lasts beyond any one staff member, student leader, or season. Their message is clear: sustainability is not just about club mechanics, it starts with roots. A heart that stays soft for the city. Relationships that go deep with the local church and school leaders. And a sense of urgency to act because the harvest is ready.

This episode wraps the three main Align sessions and sets up the upcoming breakout episodes.

Sustainability starts before the club starts. Shane and Natalie emphasize building a ministry foundation that can outlive you, not just launching a weekly meeting.

Personal first: love your city and your schools. Ministry becomes fragile when frustration replaces compassion. They challenge leaders to reclaim a burden for their community and campus.

Potted vs. planted. A powerful metaphor throughout the session: you can travel like a potted plant, or you can put down roots and build something that stands the test of time.

Relational ministry beats transactional ministry. Networks are not the goal. Serving people is. They challenge leaders to stop viewing relationships as a means to an end.

Mobilize beyond youth pastors. Relying only on youth pastors for volunteers is not sustainable. Their model expands the volunteer base across the local church, including parents and community members.

Go through the front door. They stress the importance of meeting principals, building trust with administration, and showing up to serve schools consistently.

Create the environment so students can lead. Their focus is building the “wall” around student leadership so students can step up with confidence and consistency.

Do I feel compassion for my city right now, or am I running on frustration?

Am I operating relationally or transactionally with schools, churches, and leaders?

Who is “on the wall” with me, and where do I need to expand my volunteer base?

Have I built roots in my community, or am I still trying to lead like a potted plant?

Brad and Steve bring Storytime with Steve to the Align 2025 conference for a powerful look at how God is moving through Student Leaders across the country. North Alabama Director Ashley Bell shares her own testimony, along with her daughter’s story of faith through suffering. Staff from multiple areas jump in with raw, real stories of students who are overcoming depression, addiction, bullying, loss, and deep personal battles while choosing to share the hope of Christ with their friends. This episode is honest, encouraging, and a reminder that students are leading the way in ways only they can.

📍 Recorded Live from Align 2025, Nashville, TN

In this episode of The First Priority Podcast, Brad and Steve kick off a brand-new series recapping highlights from Align 2025, First Priority’s annual leadership conference. With 65 leaders gathered in Nashville, this event brought together directors, coordinators, and support staff from across the country to unite under one mission: taking the hope of Christ to every student.

The hosts revisit Session One, featuring Chris Lane, Director of First Priority South Florida, who delivered a powerful message centered on three words: Pray. Plant. Press On.

Pray – Start with prayer and stay in step with the Holy Spirit. Chris challenged leaders to pray fervently, to believe for impossible things, and to ask God to move in every school and student community.

Plant – You can’t plant without a plan. Be intentional about where and how you invest your time and leadership. Know what seeds you’re planting and what you’re praying will grow.

Press On – Don’t quit before the harvest comes. Whether you’re a director, coach, or student leader, perseverance produces character and hope. Keep pressing toward what God has called you to do.

Reach out to another director, coach, or student leader and talk through what Pray, Plant, Press On means for your ministry. Remember—linking arms with others isn’t a burden, it’s a blessing.

If this episode encouraged you, leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review, share it with your team, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next five episodes in the Align 2025 series.