In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle is joined by Tim Celek from Stadia’s post-launch team and two dynamic kids ministry leaders from Georgia—Brittany Ara of City Church Griffin and Robyn Alexander of Foundation Christian Church.

Together, they outline five essential principles for church leaders who want to reach and disciple the next generation:

1. Safety isn’t optional – Every church needs a clear child protection policy. Not sure where to start? Ask neighboring churches to share their handbooks.

2. Leadership matters – Recruit leaders who can lead teams, not just love kids. Burnout is real without shared responsibility.

3. Let kids serve – Kids and teens need hands-on opportunities to experience their faith, not just hear about it.

4. Know your ‘one’ – Ditch cookie-cutter strategies and design ministry that fits your local community’s needs and rhythms.

5. Recruit with vision, not guilt – Celebrate wins from the stage, don’t beg for volunteers. Help your team build a long-term system for healthy recruiting.

They also share fun, creative ideas like using an ice cream truck for outreach and creating dual summer camp models for different demographics. It's a practical, passionate guide for any church looking to multiply its impact through children’s ministry.

00:26 – Meet Brittany Ara & Robyn Alexander  
02:10 – Why Stadia Prioritizes the Next Generation  
03:15 – 5 Things Every Church Leader Needs to Know  
03:45 – #1: Safety Must Come First  
07:13 – #2: Healthy Kids Ministry Requires Strong Leadership  
12:00 – #3: Empower Kids & Teens to Serve  
14:00 – Creative Outreach Ideas: Ice Cream Truck Ministry  
17:00 – Involving Kids in "Big Church"  
19:11 – #4: Forget What You’ve Seen Before – Know Your Community  
21:00 – Real-Life Camp Examples That Meet Families Where They Are  
25:39 – Balancing Technology in Kids Ministry  
26:00 – #5: Volunteer Recruiting Should Be Vision-Driven  
29:00 – What Keeps These Leaders Going