Send us a textWhat can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching? "What can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching? In this episode, we dive deep with Anthony Vargas as he shares his journey from Mississippi to Dallas, and finally to Yukon, Oklahoma, exploring the valuable lessons he's learned along the way.Anthony opens up about the challenges and rewards of starting fresh in new ministry roles. He shares practical tips on relationship-building, understanding th...
Send us a textWhat happens when a dedicated youth ministry leader steps into a new role amidst organizational upheaval? Amanda Mejias shares her ministry journey from organizing recreation basketball leagues and fitness programs at her home church in Virginia to becoming a girls ministry specialist at LifeWay. Amanda’s story is not just about transitions but about uncovering the deeper calling of ministry because of the transitions and the unexpected leadership opportunities that ar...
Send us a textWhat do you get when you combine a love for coffee, tacos, and the rising cultural trend of YouTube golf?You get Micah Lynn.Micah Lynn is a second generation minister, growing up as a pastor's kid in Texas and then growing and blossoming at OBU and during his residency at the Cross Church School of Ministry. Micah shares his journey and the invaluable mentorship he received along the way. Join us for this episode as we sit down with Micah to talk about Gen Z youth min...
Send us a textHow do you know you are called to this thing called youth ministry? Special guest alert w/ Josh White, Executive Pastor and long-time friend of the podcast, who shares his remarkable journey into ministry. Josh's path to ministry was far from the conventional seminary path, and his story is a testament to the power of embracing the long game (see told you! long game, short season = youth ministry)Anybody else's kids answer the door shirtless?Transitioning churches can be challen...
Send us a textThe real secret to youth ministry?This week we are joined by special guest Shelby Millis! From her calling in seventh grade to her current role as a youth director at Asbury Church, Shelby’s journey is filled with inspiration and practical wisdom. She also shares her summer of self-care, including her beloved porch swing bed and weekly pool Fridays, underscoring the need for rejuvenation and mental well-being in ministry. Learn why testing one’s calling and having the...
Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered if chaotic cafeteria brawls could turn into life-changing spiritual moments? Welcome special guest Brian Preston! NextGen pastor-awesome Brian joins us this week, filling in for Chad, to share his wild and wonderful camp stories straight from our garage recording setup. It's the end of CampSZN and we reminiscing about youth camps. Brian shares the unforgettable stage-diving episodes that epitomize the essence of these transformative gatheri...
Send us a textCan the magic of the Olympics transform your youth ministry? Join us as we celebrate Summer Olympic Month with a spirited debate comparing the allure of summer versus winter games. We'll dive into the exhilarating speed of track and field races, the unique thrill of the biathlon, and the intensity of events like speed skating and swimming. From international sports showdowns in hockey and basketball to our whimsical dreams of hybrid sports like Mario Kart bobsled, this...
Send us a textIt's Shark Week fam! We are celebrating what about you? It's a big deal in the Higgins and Workun households.But wait.. could Shark Week transform your youth ministry? Join us as we tap into the fervor of this annual oceanic extravaganza, and let's draw some parallels to youth ministry strategies. We discuss how identifying and leveraging kids' passions—be it video games, sports, or anime—can create captivating standalone events that enhance engageme...
Send us a Text Message.Aww if middle school you could see you now... they would be proud! Switching gears, we tackle a pressing question in youth ministry: (When) Should we split middle school and high school programs? Chad and Zac explore the pros and cons, offering creative solutions for engagement without doubling efforts. From leadership roles for older students to special events for the younger crowd, we dig into strategies that accommodate growth while keeping the community's ...
Send us a textPeople can be mean! Or if we are being honest... how do you handle the unfiltered honesty of middle school girls in youth ministry? In this fresh episode of the Youth Ministry Booster Podcast, Zac and Chad bring their humor and truthfulness to tackle it! Chad + tortilla = hilarious. What is something you have been told something that was hateful... by a student? We’ve got stories like that and more as we confront the tough reality of receiving cri...
Send us a Text Message.Smmer camps can transform your youth ministry experience! Join us for a special crossover episode where Zach and Chad from Youth Ministry Booster team up with Amanda and Corinne from His Glory Her Good. We share our personal camp memories, from childhood to recent leadership and we highlight the profound impact camps have had on our lives. Planning a camp and unsure where to start? We've got you covered. In the second half of our discussion, we...
Send us a textQuestion...which zoo animal would be the ultimate pocket-sized companion? There is a right answer, but we want to hear yours...Join Zac and Chad as they swap stories that will crack you up and maybe even crack the code on connecting with middle schoolers (read:boys). In this episode, we don't shy away from the pressing questions- like whether gaming streams are the new radio or if there's a method to the madness of K-pop fandom. It's an honest ride through how re...
Send us a textWe're not just talking shop; we're opening up about the art of pacing and the vital act of delegating to avoid burnout. Remember school field trips? This episode Zac and Chad are taking that nostalgic trip down memory lane... it's a memory and a feeling. Ministry comes in waves and this time between spring and summer is one of those valleys. This heartfelt episode is a reminder for all our ministry friends out there: while we're passionate about serving othe...
Send us a textFacebook marketplace is safe right? Zach and Chad, your ministry mentors and amateur online bargain hunters, are here to draw the parallels. This episode is an open lesson for what we have learned navigating the challenges that small group leaders face, especially when confronted with the whirlwind or overload that is a roomful of teenagers. For the next 30 minutes we're dishing out our practical strategies to help your newbie leaders turn anxiet...
Send us a textJEREMY SIT DOWN! Whew sorry about that... Kids Amma I right? If you have ever had issues with students not listening, being distracting, or even disruptive during teaching time... then do we have a toolkit for you! Dealing w/ Distractions, Disruptions, & Discipline Issues:If you've ever felt like a ringmaster in a circus of pre-teen hijinks we hope this chat is helpful. We're unpacking the chaos of disruptions with real stories (we have been there!). Can we just s...
Send us a textEver had one of those moments where you're left holding your head in your hands, wondering where your brilliant idea went wrong? Our podcast usually gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to plan not just fun, but also memorable activities for youth ministry. This week we are laying out our failures, asking for help and coaching up what makes games great. So enjoy our queasy missteps and food-related fiascos, all while highlighting the true aim of yo...
Send us a textEver bitten off more than you can chew? Hey friends, Zach Workun and Chad Higgins back for another episode and another year of youth ministry podcasting.This episode is a smorgasbord of tips and tales, starting with my own kitchen catastrophe that turned into a smoky sous vide saga. You'll hear how Chad's culinary mishap serves up a lesson in embracing the unexpected and learning from our missteps—not just in cooking but in our ministry efforts too.Rolling up our sleeves, C...
Send us a textReady for a rollercoaster ride of emotions this holiday season? Ever tried to surprise your high-end friends with a gift only to find it relegated to the 'middling' category? Grab a cup of cocoa and join us as we traverse the holiday gift-giving terrain, highlighting the importance of backstory and adventure in choosing presents. We'll even tell you why your friend who has no inkling about a multi-tool could end up loving it as a gift!0:03: Christmas Gift Wishlist and Midrange G...
Send us a textCould you eat faster than Zac? No One's Going To Take It!Join Zac and Chad, where we kick things off with a hilarious debate centered around Zac's rapid-fire eating habits and his lofty claim of inhaling 50 hot dogs in four minutes. We even ponder on what would be the most embarrassing food record to hold. It's a light and hearty start to an episode that gets you laughing and wondering about your own eating speed.ParaSocial RelationshipsThen, things take a more profound tu...
Send us a textYouth Ministry Is Relational, but what does that mean? Have you ever wondered how to maximize relational opportunities in youth ministry? That's exactly what Zac and Chad are unpacking in this episode. Chil or No-Bean Chili?We kick off the show with some winter joys and a feel-good chat about all things chili. There's even a bit of a friendly debate on Wolf Brand chili and I share the recipe for my favorite homemade version. Chad's friend eating it cold is a monster by the ...
Fonzie Gomez
is this aimed more towards catholic beliefs?
Isaac Leach
terrible. this sucks.
Joe Reed
Thank you guys for doimg this pod cast and i pray you guys continue do this! Im a new youth pastor and i find so much encouragement from these topics and talks!