Claim OwnershipKids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder
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The Kids Ministry Calling Podcast is designed to inspire and equip kids ministry leaders in every season of their journey! Join us as we dive into heartfelt discussions, practical tips, and uplifting stories that remind you of the incredible calling God has placed on your life. Tune in to be reminded of your purpose, share in the joys and struggles of ministry, and find renewed strength in your calling. Together, we can remember to have joy in our calling!
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This episode features insights from kids ministry leaders at CPC Orlando, sharing innovative ways to keep children engaged and foster a fun, faith-filled environment. Topics include encouraging curiosity through questions, making ministry fun with bright colors and music, and involving kids in leadership roles. Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!
In this engaging conversation, Lifeway's Isaac Kirsted shares his journey in kids ministry, discussing the evolution of podcasting, his experiences at Lifeway, and the development of the Hi-Fi curriculum. He emphasizes the importance of energy management in large group settings, preparation for teaching, and the impact of personal experiences on his calling. The discussion highlights practical tips for engaging kids and the significance of mentorship in shaping one's career. Connect with...
Hey friends, welcome to a brand new podcast, Kids Ministry Calling! In the busyness of leading kids ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. But today, your host Jana Magruder and producer Nikki Ogden, are hitting pause to reflect on one essential truth: the importance of your calling. Join us as we dive deep into why remembering your God-given purpose is vital to thriving in ministry. In this episode, we’ll explore the power of staying connect...
In this special church highlight episode, we take a closer look at First Orlando Kids Ministry and the heart behind what makes it so impactful. Conversations from Metro reveal that kids ministry is both deeply intentional and joyfully engaging—where fun isn’t just noise, but a meaningful tool for connection and discipleship. It’s a reminder that what may look like organized chaos is actually Kingdom work with eternal impact! SHOW LINKS: Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice messa...
In this episode of the Kids Ministry Calling Podcast, we sit down with longtime kids ministry leader Kelly Pekarek to talk about something every ministry leader needs more of....joy. With more than 21 years of experience in kids ministry, Kelly shares practical and encouraging insights on how leaders can cultivate fun, build meaningful relationships with kids and families, and create a ministry culture where volunteers feel excited to serve. From creative volunteer recruitment to simple tools...
Kids ministry has never been just about filling a room or filling time. It’s about building disciples—starting with the youngest hearts in our churches and extending outward to families and communities. In this conversation, Steve Hampel brings decades of wisdom from serving faithfully in kids ministry. What I appreciate most about Steve is his steady conviction that healthy ministry begins with healthy leadership. Programs matter. Events matter. Resources matter. But leaders matter most. Ste...
VBS isn’t just a week on the calendar, it’s a gospel opportunity. In this episode, we dive into the heart behind this year’s VBS theme, Illumination Station, and explore how every activity, lesson, and moment is designed to help kids clearly see who Jesus is. From high-energy rotations to meaningful Bible teaching, this conversation unpacks how the gospel message shines through each day of the week. You’ll hear a breakdown of the daily content, key biblical truths kids will discover, and why ...
"It's about speaking a language kids can understand. Kids understand fun!" - Joel Evrist Is fun just filler in kids ministry, or is it foundational? In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana welcomes back pastor, author, and actor Joel Evrist for a joy-filled and practical conversation about why fun is more than entertainment, it’s deeply biblical. Joel unpacks three powerful “whys” behind incorporating fun into ministry: the principle of incarnation, the ministry of hospitality, and the...
Remember when kids ministry felt… fun? Not polished. Not perfect. But full of laughter, big questions, messy moments, and holy wonder. Between preparing curriculum, scheduling volunteers, and Sunday morning chaos, it can be easy to forget that kids ministry is one of the most joy-filled callings in the Church. Well, this season on Kids Ministry Calling we’re reclaiming the fun. So grab your coffee, maybe even a notepad for jotting down new inspiration, and join us next week for the sta...
What if anxiety isn’t a flaw to fix—but a signal inviting you to live differently? In this special bonus episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Dr. John Delony, mental health expert, author, and counselor, to unpack a healthier, hope-filled way to understand anxiety—especially for ministry leaders carrying heavy emotional loads. Dr. Delony reframes anxiety as a natural alarm system rather than a disorder, offering freedom from shame and practical clarity for those navigating st...
Screens are everywhere, but are our kids safe? In this urgent episode, Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes joins the podcast to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing families and churches today: children’s exposure to harmful technology and content. From alarming statistics to practical solutions, this conversation is a wake-up call for parents, leaders, and faith communities to take action. Chris compares the dangers of today’s digital landscape to historical threats like c...
What happens when you step into the world of a preteen girl, where friendships feel like everything, emotions run deep, and identity is being shaped moment by moment? In this episode, we dive into that world with Amanda Mejias and Dr. Tiff Watson, uncovering what today’s girls are really facing and how the Church can show up with clarity, compassion, and hope. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the pressures preteen girls carry and why they need leaders who are both bold and empathet...
What does it look like for a church to become a place where every individual—regardless of ability—belongs, is valued, and is discipled? In this inspiring episode, we take a deep dive into the heart behind Embrace Ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church and the incredible work happening through the Rowan Glenn Center, a space created to love and serve individuals with special needs and their families. You’ll hear how this ministry didn’t begin with a facility, a strategy, or a perfect plan—it be...
We're so grateful for each and every one of you! Happy Thanksgiving! SHOW LINKS: Follow Jana Magruder on Instagram Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!
If there’s one age group that keeps leaders on their toes, it’s preteens. In this honest and insightful episode, Melissa and Kieron dive into the messy, complicated, and often intimidating world of preteen ministry, a season filled with different learning styles, big questions, and big emotions. They unpack why this age group matters so deeply and why the conversations we have with them can feel so tough…and so important. From shifting cultural pressures to identity struggles, from frie...
Let’s be honest—talking about the hard stuff with little ones isn’t easy. In this powerful episode, Tracy McElhattan opens up about the real challenges of tackling tough topics in early childhood ministry. From behavioral struggles and special needs to the lingering impact of COVID-19, Tracy shares how parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can step into hard conversations with grace, patience, and purpose. Drawing from her background in education and ministry, Tracy introduces her pra...
What can a chicken sandwich teach us about leadership in ministry? In this insightful and energizing episode, Brett Buckland joins the conversation to share how lessons from his time at Chick-fil-A have shaped the way he leads in ministry and life. Brett dives into the power of value-driven leadership, the importance of being present with your team, and how simple, consistent habits can build a culture where both volunteers and families thrive. Through real stories and practical wisdom,...
What if a child’s behavior on Sunday isn’t misbehavior, but a message? In this powerful and practical episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Kim Botto shares wisdom from her decades in children’s ministry, helping leaders understand how trauma impacts kids’ emotions, behavior, and connection. She unpacks what it means for the church to become trauma-informed, offering insight into the real statistics surrounding children with trauma and special needs. Kim brings hope and hands-on strategies to the...
What if one of the most overlooked leadership skills could transform the way you serve kids, partner with parents, and lead volunteers? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Hicks to talk about the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in ministry, and why it may be the secret ingredient to healthy leadership that lasts. Dr. Hicks breaks down the five components of EQ: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation - and shows how each one shapes the way we co...
We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger”, but the sobering truth is that nearly 90% of child abuse cases involve someone the child already knows and trusts. As ministry leaders, it’s our sacred responsibility to ensure that the church is a safe place for every child who walks through the doors. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, host Jana Magruder is joined by Kris Buckman for a timely and practical conversation on abuse prevention in kids ministry. Kris shares her own ministry jou...
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