Have you ever been in church when the youth pastor got up and asked for volunteers to help with the youth program? What's the response? Usually ...crickets! You'd think the poor guy asked for help training rattlesnakes!

Working with teens can be tough. The boys are rowdy and have zero attention span. The girls can be moody and self absorbed. And need I mention the endless eye rolls? It's no wonder adults avert their eyes and fidget with the church bulletin when the topic comes up.

Yes, working with teens can be a challenge. But let's face it, they are the future of the church. Actually, it's been said they ARE the church.

So, if you feel ill-equipped about what to do with this fickle age group, my next The Jules Show podcast is just for you. Guests Mike Ricks and Daniel Nesmith, two guys who've worked in student ministry for years, have some insights on how to better understand today's teens and how events like The Mix - an inter-denominational gathering of over 35 church youth groups in Athens, GA - play a huge role in connecting young people to Jesus.

To learn more about The Mix, visit www.themixathens.com