Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past and future 25 years of youth ministry, Isaiah, Rebecca, and Danny sit down with Dr. Mike McGarry, founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian. They discuss Mike’s assessment on the past 25 years of youth ministry and the next 25 years of youth ministry.

Mike served as a Youth Pastor for 18 years and has two teenagers at home. He and his family worship at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA, where he formerly served as Youth Pastor and is now an Elder and volunteer youth worker. Mike is an ordained pastor and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in “Ministry to Emerging Generations” from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Mike is the author of Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith (New Growth Press, 2023), Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (New Growth Press, 2021), A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church (Randall House, 2019), and was a contributor to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2017).

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Ministering to teenagers today feels more daunting than ever. It can seem nearly impossible to reach young people who grew up in the first post-Christian generation in America, where culture preaches a gospel of the “Self.” Because of the reality of our society and religious statistics, youth need the gospel more than ever, and youth ministries need to be willing to step into the void of evangelism more than ever before. What models of evangelism have preceded our times, and which model(s) are best suited to reach this generation? More importantly, what role do youth ministries play in the future evangelistic strategy of the American Church? This workshop will seek to address these questions by presenting a model of evangelism that is relevant and realistic, and discussing the urgent and important role youth ministries play on mission in America.

Clark is the Associate Pastor at FirstSF, a diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-generational congregation in the heart of the city of San Francisco. He has served as a Pastor to Students for over 15 years and pastored for over a decade in a variety of Asian American churches. He received his M.Div from Talbot School of Theology and Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss) from Southern Seminary. Clark and his wife Janet have two young daughters and live in his home city of San Francisco.

Evangelism - Rooted Ministry

Ask Rooted: How Are You Contextualizing Youth and Family Ministry for Gen Z and Gen Alpha?

Resources for Reaching Gen Z - Rooted Ministry 

The Missional Necessity of Youth Ministry 

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the next 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Walt Mueller, founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU). They discuss Walt’s assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including cultural shifts and changes.

Dr. Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a non-profit organization serving schools, churches, and community organizations across the U.S, Canada, and worldwide in their efforts to strengthen families. Walt has been working with young people and families for over 35 years. He is a recognized authority on youth culture and family issues, and has appeared on numerous media outlets internationally to discuss teenagers and their world. 

Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years 

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

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

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Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Relational discipleship is more than a strategy—it’s the way of Jesus. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to move beyond programs and curriculum into the slow, sacred work of walking with students and families over time. Whether you’re burned out, discouraged, or just hungry to see lasting fruit, we’ll look at how relational discipleship offers hope not just for the teens we serve, but for us, too. This session will draw from Scripture, real-life stories, and practical frameworks to help youth ministers, volunteers, and parents build rhythms of presence, trust, and gospel-rooted transformation.

Brian serves a national movement of disciple-making and church planting in urban centers across America. He is the Executive Director of Legacy Disciple, an organization devoted to cultivating a culture of gospel-centered leadership that transforms communities from the inside out. He also leads as the Director of Leadership Development with The Chicago Partnership, a network of churches working together to make Jesus visible in every neighborhood of the city. Additionally, Brian serves as the Area Director for CarePortal, building bridges between churches and the needs of vulnerable children and families. Beyond these roles, Brian advises organizations like the AND Campaign and Together Chicago, offering strategic support in areas of justice, unity, and community renewal. At the heart of his ministry, however, is a deep commitment to relational discipleship. Brian and his wife Heidi, his best friend and ministry partner since 2000, live in West Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side. Though they have no biological children, they have welcomed over 200 young adults into their home, walking with them in the everyday joys and struggles of life and faith.

What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? - Rooted Ministry

Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry

The Power of Imperfect Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry 

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the future 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Professor of Youth and Family at Fuller Theological Seminary. They discuss Dr. Powell’s assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including Fuller Youth Institute’s new research on Generation Alpha. 

Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, the Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, and serves as a faculty member at Fuller Seminary. Prior to that, Kara was an Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at Azusa Pacific University. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with Honors from Stanford University in 1991.

Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years 

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

The FYI on Gen Alpha: New Research and… | Fuller Youth Institute 

Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

We all desire the church to be a safe place, where people with trauma know what it is to love and be loved (Matt. 22). In this workshop, we will explore the need for our youth ministries to become trauma-informed so that we may disciple students holistically and prevent further harm. We will discuss what trauma is, how the hope we have in Jesus speaks directly to any past, and when to seek a counseling referral.

Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she’s taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she’s the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog.

Resources: 

Matthew 22

Helping Teenagers Process Graphic Violence: An Interview with Counselors Rahab Marshall and Gordon Bals - Rooted Ministry 

On Handling Crisis in Your Youth Ministry - Podcasts

Creating a Child Protection Policy for Your Church - Rooted Ministry 

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this episode of YMU, Danny is joined with Hannah Augustine, the program director at KidzMatter Ministry. They discuss how Youth and KidMin leaders have a unique opportunity to disciple the teens who are serving in both their ministries. By partnering together, leaders can leverage their collective influence on the teenagers in their ministries.

Resources:

Kids Discipling Kids: The Integration of Youth and Children’s Ministries 

Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole 

Children's Ministry Resources 

Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts

Join us at the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

From Miriam to Priscilla, the story of Scripture calls women into leadership and encourages them to endure as “oaks of righteousness” alongside men. The uniqueness of a woman’s position in the world carries with it a different weight than our brothers have. In this workshop, we’ll see what God has to say to his daughters and to his sons who work alongside them.

Becca Heck is a veteran youth minister who has served in Atlanta, GA for the last 15 years. She recently graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta with her M.Div and a Certificate of Bible and Ethnicity from the Edimston Center at RTS. Becca served on Rooted’s Steering Committee in the early years and loves getting to be a part of all things Rooted Ministry. She is currently working in the field of crisis management and relational reconciliation in the Church, partnering with those who are in need of meditation and healing in order to proclaim the gospel clearly and boldly. Becca has a passion for helping Church leaders be not only theologically trained, but to be gospel-centered leaders who lead with integrity, humility, and wholeheartedness. When she isn’t talking about all things Church health related, you can find her visiting her family in Indiana, trying out every coffee shop in Atlanta, borrowing friend’s dogs, and watching reruns of Friends and The West Wing.

Rooted Resources:

From a Female Youth Worker - Substack 

Building A Table for Men and Women in Youth Ministry

Valuing Women in Youth Ministry

Heartfelt Advice to Women in Youth Ministry   

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The differences between an adult Sunday school class and one for kids are quite striking. A class for toddlers and preschoolers is rarely organized around the logic of a Bible passage, or even a lesson outline. Instead, lessons are structured by the classroom schedule and environment—by a basic routine and activity centers that are designed for play, music, the Bible story, and other games or crafts. How do we prepare children’s lessons that are Christ-centered, biblically faithful, engaging for kids, and oriented towards the distinct ways that kids learn? This workshop will help you learn how to do just that.

Jared Kennedy serves as an editor for The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder of Gospel-Centered Family and the author of books for children and families like Faith-Builder Catechism (New Growth Press, 2023), Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission (Crossway, 2022), and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (New Growth, 2017). He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky, where they attend Sojourn Church Midtown.

Announcing Rooted Children’s Ministry Curriculum: Why and How to Use 'Gospel Basics'

Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 

Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah and Danny are joined by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson, two of the editors of the new, 52-Week devotional titled “God With You.” They discuss why and how this year-long devotional was written, what the hopes are for the devotional, how churches, youth ministries, and even parents might use this devotional, and the overall importance of theological depth in youth ministry and for teenagers. 

Leading Students to Live by Faith Alone - Rooted Ministry

Your Family Devotional Doesn't Have to be Pretty - Rooted Ministry

Engage Teens with the Whole Bible by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson for The Gospel Coalition

Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts

Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, October 22-24.

Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.