In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny look back over the decades of their time in youth ministry. A lot has changed since the 90s and early 2000s. Listen to this discussion about the huge opportunity we have to impact the lives of students with the gospel today. 

Resources:

Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry?

Youth Minister, Cool Is Overrated - Rooted Ministry

What Teenagers Need in a Youth Pastor Might Surprise You - Rooted Ministry   

Youth Talk Sheets

Food Planning Chart

Pizza Planning iPhone Shortcut

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In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the Imago Dei is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today.

Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.

Rooted Resources:

Youth Pastor Theologian

Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology) by Mike McGarry

Calvin, Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1 by Dan Wolf

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In this insightful workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how Christians can cultivate biblical boundaries around the news and politics they consume. He outlines six practical ways to build a spiritually healthy relationship with media in today’s polarized, fast-paced world.

Jason is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Pour Over, a politically neutral news source read by over 1 million Christians each week. He also leads NewsHealth, an initiative aimed at helping believers navigate the news with wisdom and faith.

Rooted Resources:

The Pour Over

Parents, Just Turn Off the News (Responsibly) by Cameron Cole

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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny get honest about the quiet discouragement youth leaders often carry– when the seats are empty, the students are disengaged, and the fruit just isn’t showing up the way you hoped for. Together, they explore what it looks like to stay faithful, how to redefine “success” in kingdom terms, and why unseen obedience still matters deeply to God.

Advice to My Younger Self in Youth Ministry—20 Years Later by Steve Eatmon

How Gospel-Centrality Prioritizes Long-Term Fruit in Youth Ministry by Michael Goldstein

Check out our Youth Ministry Training Courses for extra encouragement and resources!

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n this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kendal Conner equips youth leaders with practical tools for teaching the book of Daniel to students. With warmth and clarity, she offers encouragement for navigating this complex book and demonstrates how it can be both accessible and transformative for young hearts.

Kendal has spent over a decade in youth ministry and currently serves as the Director of Sunday Schools at Redeemer Kansas City in Missouri, where she also remains active in student ministry. A native of Memphis, TN, Kendal holds a B.A. from Union University with a minor in theology. She spent two years overseas working with youth before serving in parachurch and local church contexts back in the U.S.

Rooted Resources:

Bible Project on the Book of Daniel

Daniel for You: For Reading, for Feeding, for Leading (God's Word for You) by David Helm

Help Me Teach the Bible Podcast Episode with David Helm

How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle

Six Reasons Teenagers Need the Book of Daniel by Seth Stewart

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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny unpack why all youth ministers need a tribe. Not just to survive—but to thrive in the call God has placed on our lives. The three discuss the power of peer relationships, the danger of isolation, and how to build rhythms of mutual support and encouragement in ministry. Because you weren’t meant to carry the call to ministry alone.

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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how today’s media landscape—especially platforms like TikTok—has changed the way we consume news. He walks through the history of news dissemination, explains how social media algorithms shape what we see, and offers practical advice for developing a spiritually healthy relationship with the news—for you and your teens.

Jason is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Pour Over, a politically neutral news source read by over 1 million Christians each week. He also leads NewsHealth, an initiative aimed at helping believers navigate the news with wisdom and faith.

Rooted Resources:

The Pour Over

Discernment for A Digital Age: Practical Steps towards Online Media Literacy for Teens by Anne Chen

Parents, Just Turn Off the News (Responsibly) by Cameron Cole

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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kristen Hatton unpacks the five P's of parenting to help parents become more self-aware, stay motivated toward their children, and lead their homes with gospel-centered purpose and hope.

Kristen is a counselor who works with teenage girls, parents, and families. She’s the author of Parenting Ahead, Face Time, Get Your Story Straight, and The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students. Kristen lives in Dallas with her pastor husband and is the mom of three young adults and a son-in-law. Learn more at www.kristenhatton.com.

Rooted Resources:

Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years by Kristen Hatton

Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp

How Parents Build the Fire and Pray for the Flame by Ben Birdsong 

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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the continual and important issue of unengaged students.  From students on your youth ministry rosters who do not attend, to those who do attend but are not fully engaged or very active in youth group. In considering these students, they discuss various ways to get these unengaged students more engaged into church and youth group.  

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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, veteran youth pastor Justin Wong reflects on how culture—through wars, elections, and even music—has shaped youth ministry over the years. He offers honest encouragement for the weary youth worker, while highlighting both the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with serving the next generation.

Justin has served in youth and family ministry for over 23 years. He holds degrees from Houston Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Tina, and together they have two daughters, Ella and Mia.

Rooted Resources:

Lessons Learned During My First Year of Youth Ministry: Leadership Takes Time by Taylor Sutton

The Joy and Crown of Youth Ministry by Clark Fobes

Making Space for Encouragement in Youth Ministry by Ericson Joubert 

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