Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

“Wise as serpents…harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) You will make mistakes in your ministry and in life. Had some of my mistakes been avoided, there were certain events and interactions that would have been life changing for many people. But mistakes have happened to me.

Some mistakes were my fault and some were out of my control... and yet still, I was responsible. As a leader of anything, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE! This is one of my most epic mistakes.

In this episode, I talk about a personal mistake that was so embarrassing that I have not shared it publicly until now. Some will say, “Awe, get over it! It just wasn’t meant to be.” But when you are fighting to change the world and especially your world around you, you don’t get over that kind of mistake. It follows you wherever you go in your mind and heart.

It’s not the only epic fail I have had in my life, but it is the one that still bothers me consistently. Maybe this story will help you carry on from one of your failures or maybe it will make you choose your words more carefully wherever you go. Maybe it will make you call on God and ask for “His words in your mouth".

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Dad and mom owned a construction business. Dad started at age 11, buying his first piece of property to build his mom her first home to own.

When I grew up, at a very early age, I would go to the worksite with dad on the weekends and work all week during the summers for as long as I could remember. We had an unwritten rule… no matter the weather, we worked. I remember working in the blazing heat, the rain, and one time we had to break the ice off of the lumber in the snow to get a job done. Why? Because there was a timeline and a deadline. If we missed it... our family lost money.

As a youth pastor in Florida, we were use to the sun, surf, sand, lakes, and hurricanes. Each year we would take students and staff outside of sunny Florida and chase bad weather. You know, stuff we were not use to. Mountain altitude, snow storms, frigid temperatures, hiking up and sliding down mountains. Things that would change it up and put us into another type of environment to talk about how God loves us in all of our seasons and environments in life... not just where we are comfortable.

It was very successful, but very challenging at times. It took lots of preparation and lots of planning. But there was this one time that we had to make a choice because the weather had gotten really bad, but the plan was set…

How many times did Jesus save his disciples when they were sailing on open waters in a storm? How many times have you based decisions on feelings rather than faith? If your like most Christians and Jesus followers, the answer is “A LOT!”

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Jesus's student, Peter, got out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus.

You immediately want to focus on what happened on the way, but I don’t think so….

Everybody else stayed on the boat. The only one who experienced that event completely was Peter. He will always be known as the one who walked on water with Jesus.

Many times, figuratively speaking, most of us won’t even get on the boat, or plane, or even start the journey. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen badly. When we should be looking at the opportunity that God has set out for us.

We were “Designed to Do Good Works…” - Ephesians 2:10.

This week my niece takes her 9 year old daughter to Africa on a mission trip, because she sees the opportunity. There are many reasons to say this is too dangerous, too scary, too hard or too costly.

We all have excuses to not even get in the boat, but Peter walked on water… Why Not You?

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Russ Ewell's first son was born while he and his wife Gail lived in the Washington, DC area. The doctor said to him “Congratulations! You have a son.” Next the doctor said, “He has down syndrome…”.

In time, they moved to Silicon Valley. Russ and his wife, Gail’s, journey as parents of two children with special needs led them to start:

• Spiritual Resource Ministry at Bay Area Christian Church, which offers individuals with special needs and their families the ability to thrive spiritually alongside their neurotypical peers in every area of the church, which they may not otherwise be able to do.

• E-Sports and E-Life are free, inclusive community programs across the Bay Area enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their neurotypical peers.

• Hope Technology School is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian K-12 school, started by Russ and Gail. HTS serves neurotypical kids and kids with special needs from all backgrounds and operates independently of BACC. HTS is regularly recognized as one of the best private schools in the Bay Area.

• Digital Scribbler, a company Russ founded which develops assistive tech tools for individuals with disabilities.

They also have developed a Special Needs Ministry Manual that you can download at the Bay Area Christian Church website for free. (https://bacc.cc/small-groups/srm/manual/)

Listen as we unpack Russ’s Ministry, family life journey, and the tools to help you develop another great ministry in your area!

Contact with Russ at: https://russewell.com/

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

God would transition me after he stripped everything... I was secure in a way. Each time He would build me to be a NEW person. Humble and totally dependent on Him.

I would go from... strength, to broken insecurity, to desperation, to praying in brokenness, to God opening His doors, and me then walking through them in His strength. That's how He likes us... good and humble.

A lot of it is like the story of Jonah found in the Old Testament. I like where I am, I am comfortable, and I am secure. I know who I like and who I don’t like... it all makes sense. When we are those things for a long period of time, as humans, we stop growing. God is all about growth and preparing us for what He designed us to do. 

It's possible that there is more to you than you ever imagined!

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

What ever you are building, whether for yourself, your family, or ministry... get your priorities straight! God used Haggai to tell the country of Israel to stop building for themselves and build His tabernacle first. Then He would bless them.

They had not seemed to learn their lesson yet, so God reminded them through Haggai. Its the  same for you and I. God wants us to do what He has called us to do first and then He will bless us. (Matthew 6:33)

Our human nature says, “When I catch up and have enough time and money... I will, of course, give back to God.” God’s nature says, ”I am waiting to bless you when you give to Me first. I am your source. Believe and give me the first of your everything and I will give all things to the fullest, and finally running over with Blessings.”

When will we ever get it right?

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Most of the country is hot this time of the year. Even so, the school year has started. Everything is gearing up for students and families. Let the Hot, Hot, Hot days remind you to find a quiet and cool place to spend time with God. 

The more you spend time with God, the more clear your mission will be each day this year. If you are on the other side of the equator, let the cold days be your reminder. (Romans 8:28)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out that the furnace of fire was a great place to encounter God. He met them in the fire that was to destroy them and He made it a place of comfort, safety and victory. (Daniel Chapter 3)

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Heather Strong Clendinen grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school. It was at 5 years old, a teacher discovered her gymnastics ability. Her mom enrolled her in gymnastics that year and the rest is history.

She was influenced by her parents, her church, a student ministry, FCA at her high school, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Florida State University.

Her story is a story of commitment on many levels, several tragedies and the way God pursued her in all the light and dark places.

This is one to take notes on. It is packed with stories and information.

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Running your race is different than running in someone elses race. This is the race God has prepared in advance for you to run. (Ephesians 2:10)

The more you try to look like, act like and minister like other people, the more you will feel like a fish out of water.

God has designed you a certain way to run... Find your groove! Find your rhythm and God will use yiu in amazing ways you did not think possible.

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Simone Biles (Team USA Gymnast) was hit by the mental block called "the twisties" (a Gymnastics term) during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Since then, according to a recent interview given by Simone, "Life has not been easy".  The twisties happens when a gymnast is in midair and loses their sense of where they are and how they'll land, making the move risky. Biles described it as being "lost in the air."

In our calling to lead students to a spiritual awakening in Jesus Christ, we can do more than God is asking and burn ourselves out. We should see all students as potential Simone Biles types. Far beyond the average, but help them become even more by being full of God’s power.

(24) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24,25

Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq

_______________________________

EPISODE CREDITS

Email us at: [email protected]

Hosted by: Doug Edwards

Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy 

Edited by: Secret Roots Music House