Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Joel Kim walks through Acts 2:42–47, revealing how Christ builds his Church. He highlights three key themes from the passage: extraordinary growth, ordinary means, and the unstoppable work of God.

Joel Kim serves as President of Westminster Seminary California, where he has taught New Testament since 2005. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, he has pastored churches in Michigan and Southern California and has also taught internationally in Taiwan and Indonesia.

Born in South Korea and raised in Southern California, Joel is fluent in both Korean and English and has served the global church through various leadership roles. He completed his doctoral studies in historical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary under Richard A. Muller and has contributed to several publications, including Always Reformed. Joel and his wife, Sharon, have two children and reside in Escondido, California.

Rooted Resources:

Luke & Acts Rooted Curriculum

Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming

Referenced: 

'I'm An Evangelical, But I Rarely Go to Church' by Ryan Burge

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates 

Register for 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.

Katy Morgan is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company and the award-winning author of The Songs of a Warrior and The Promise and the Light. She loves helping children and young people grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, and volunteers in the youth work at her church, King’s Church Chessington in Surrey, UK. She holds a master's degree in classical Greek literature from Cambridge University.

Resources Mentioned -

Science and God: Do You Have to Choose? by Katy Morgan and John Lennox

Guiding Principles for Talking With Teenagers About Science and Faith by Chelsea Erickson

Rooted Resources -

Christianity and Science: Friends or Foes? Answering Your Teenager’s Questions About Faith by Matt Brown

Showing Teenagers How Science Points to God As Creator by Steve Jamison

Four Things Teenagers Need to Know About Science and God

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 main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Cameron Cole walks through Acts 2:1–24, highlighting three essential ingredients of lasting change revealed at Pentecost: the Holy Spirit in us, the Word of God within the story of God, and the gospel proclaimed in personal terms.

His central message is both humbling and hopeful: people can’t change themselves—but God can change people. This session calls leaders to depend not on strategies, but on the Spirit’s power to transform hearts.

Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry, and Director of Adult and Nextgen Discipleship at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL. In addition to serving the local church for nearly twenty years in youth and family ministry, he is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy (Crossway, 2018), which won World Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year (Accessible Theology) and was runner up for The Gospel Coalition’s Book of the Year (First-Time Author). He is also the co-editor of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press) and the author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth (Crossway, 2024). Cameron holds an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest, as well as an M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven.

Rooted Resources:

Youth Ministry in the Power of the Spirit by Seth Stewart

Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates 

Register for 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.

There is so much more to youth ministry than pizza parties and “Chubby Bunny.” But is there a place for fun and games in youth ministry? Danny, Josh, Becca, and Isaiah discuss the role that games can play in youth ministry, namely, to create and build community. They can also pave an important path relationally for gospel-centered conversations. 

Mike McGarry on Theology of Fun and Games

Tips for Gospel-Centered Games in Youth Ministry by Chelsea Kingston Erickson

When God Shows Up: A History of Youth Ministry by Mark Senter

Subscribe and follow Rooted’s youth ministry podcasts: Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable and Youth Ministry Unscripted podcasts.

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 main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Jim Davis walks through Acts 1:6–11, highlighting the Church’s clear and compelling mission. Drawing key observations from the text, he equips and encourages leaders to depend on the Spirit and faithfully join God in the work he is doing in the lives of students.

As In Heaven Podcast by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson 

The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis and Michael Graham

Rooted Resources:
Teenagers Need the Church (Series)

The Sunday Standoff: Discipling Teenagers Who Are Resisting Church by Katie Polski

@therootedministry on Instagram for more updates 

Register for 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, Josh, Becca, Isaiah, and Danny talk candidly about productivity as a key component of gospel-centered youth ministry. Productivity is not about chasing results or proving worth, but faithful stewardship of the limited time we’ve been given. The hosts highlight common obstacles like constant crises, unclear expectations, misalignment with broader church vision, and fluctuating motivation. Then they share tips, tricks, and resources that have helped them in their youth ministry roles. 

The Busy Youth Minister by Josh Cousineau

Redeeming the Time: Managing the Nebulous Work of Youth Ministry by Connor Coskery

Youth Ministry Management by Mike Work and Ginny Olson

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Register for the 2026 Rooted Conference

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 workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme outlines six essential foundational truths that youth leaders must teach to prepare students to think biblically about sexuality. With clarity and conviction, this session equips leaders to ground teens in God’s design while engaging today’s cultural challenges with grace and wisdom.

Jennifer has served in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years. She’s the author of More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships. She and her husband, Greg, have three children.

Rooted Resources:

More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme

A Bad Trade: Helping Teenagers See Sexual Sin Clearly by Jennifer Kvamme

Parents, Let’s Reframe the Sexuality Conversation by Jennifer Kvamme

@therootedministry on Instagram for more updates 

Register for 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 reflective workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Harold Kim walks through Psalm 42, offering encouragement and hope for those in seasons of spiritual dryness or discouragement. The session follows three movements:

The Condition – what it means to be spiritually cast down

The Causes – what might lead us there

The Cure – how Scripture points us to hope in God

This session is a heartfelt invitation to find rest, renewal, and confidence in the God who sees and sustains.

Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. He graduated from UC Berkeley, received his master of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America in 2001. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His great joy and passion is to see lives changed as Jesus Christ becomes central to everything.

When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall

Psalm 42: A Psalm for Sad Seasons by Kendal Conner

Student Series: Panting in the Desert: Seeking God When He Feels Like A Fake, A Figment, or Far Away by Annie Talton

Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates 

Register for 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, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny consider Rooted’s pillar of relational discipleship and how it inspires us to connect with teenagers in our churches. The hosts share insight about when the youth minister needs to connect with students personally and how to engage ministry volunteers in this important work. They offer some effective ways to connect with teenagers relationally.

Rooted Webinar: Creating a Culture of Gospel Welcome in Youth Ministry

What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like?

Watch Rooted’s Past Training Videos and Webinars  

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

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 workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jonathan Holmes unpacks what it means to pursue true rest in ministry. Framed around four key movements—the problem with rest, the answer to rest, how to rest personally, and how to build cultures of rest—this session offers practical and theological insight for leaders who want to lead from a place of peace rather than burnout.

Jonathan Holmes is the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. He previously served for fifteen years on the pastoral teams of Parkside Church and Parkside Green. Jonathan graduated from The Master’s University with degrees in Biblical Counseling and History and his MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author and contributor to a number of books including, The Company We Keep, Counsel for Couples, Rescue Skills, and Rescue Plan. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters.

When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall

Caring for Your Soul as a Youth Minister by Mark Upton

Burnout: The Cost of Caring by Christina Maslach

Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller 

Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!

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.