Advertise on podcast: Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past and future 25 years of youth ministry, Isaiah, Rebecca, and Danny sit down with Dr. Mike McGarry, founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian. They discuss Mike’s assessment on the past 25 years of youth ministry and the next 25 years of youth ministry. Mike served as a Youth Pastor for 18 years and has two teenagers at home. He and his family worship at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA, where he formerly served as Youth Pastor and is now an Elder and volunteer youth worker. Mike is an ordained pastor and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in “Ministry to Emerging Generations” from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Mike is the author of Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith (New Growth Press, 2023), Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (New Growth Press, 2021), A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church (Randall House, 2019), and was a contributor to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2017). 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.

Ministering to teenagers today feels more daunting than ever. It can seem nearly impossible to reach young people who grew up in the first post-Christian generation in America, where culture preaches a gospel of the “Self.” Because of the reality of our society and religious statistics, youth need the gospel more than ever, and youth ministries need to be willing to step into the void of evangelism more than ever before. What models of evangelism have preceded our times, and which model(s) are best suited to reach this generation? More importantly, what role do youth ministries play in the future evangelistic strategy of the American Church? This workshop will seek to address these questions by presenting a model of evangelism that is relevant and realistic, and discussing the urgent and important role youth ministries play on mission in America. Clark is the Associate Pastor at FirstSF, a diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-generational congregation in the heart of the city of San Francisco. He has served as a Pastor to Students for over 15 years and pastored for over a decade in a variety of Asian American churches. He received his M.Div from Talbot School of Theology and Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss) from Southern Seminary. Clark and his wife Janet have two young daughters and live in his home city of San Francisco. Evangelism - Rooted Ministry Ask Rooted: How Are You Contextualizing Youth and Family Ministry for Gen Z and Gen Alpha? Resources for Reaching Gen Z - Rooted Ministry  The Missional Necessity of Youth Ministry  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the 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 special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the next 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Walt Mueller, founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU). They discuss Walt’s assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including cultural shifts and changes. Dr. Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a non-profit organization serving schools, churches, and community organizations across the U.S, Canada, and worldwide in their efforts to strengthen families. Walt has been working with young people and families for over 35 years. He is a recognized authority on youth culture and family issues, and has appeared on numerous media outlets internationally to discuss teenagers and their world.  Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years  Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry?  The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. 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.

Relational discipleship is more than a strategy—it’s the way of Jesus. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to move beyond programs and curriculum into the slow, sacred work of walking with students and families over time. Whether you’re burned out, discouraged, or just hungry to see lasting fruit, we’ll look at how relational discipleship offers hope not just for the teens we serve, but for us, too. This session will draw from Scripture, real-life stories, and practical frameworks to help youth ministers, volunteers, and parents build rhythms of presence, trust, and gospel-rooted transformation. Brian serves a national movement of disciple-making and church planting in urban centers across America. He is the Executive Director of Legacy Disciple, an organization devoted to cultivating a culture of gospel-centered leadership that transforms communities from the inside out. He also leads as the Director of Leadership Development with The Chicago Partnership, a network of churches working together to make Jesus visible in every neighborhood of the city. Additionally, Brian serves as the Area Director for CarePortal, building bridges between churches and the needs of vulnerable children and families. Beyond these roles, Brian advises organizations like the AND Campaign and Together Chicago, offering strategic support in areas of justice, unity, and community renewal. At the heart of his ministry, however, is a deep commitment to relational discipleship. Brian and his wife Heidi, his best friend and ministry partner since 2000, live in West Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side. Though they have no biological children, they have welcomed over 200 young adults into their home, walking with them in the everyday joys and struggles of life and faith. What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? - Rooted Ministry Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry The Power of Imperfect Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the 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 special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the future 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Professor of Youth and Family at Fuller Theological Seminary. They discuss Dr. Powell’s assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including Fuller Youth Institute’s new research on Generation Alpha.  Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, the Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, and serves as a faculty member at Fuller Seminary. Prior to that, Kara was an Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at Azusa Pacific University. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with Honors from Stanford University in 1991. Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years  Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry?  The FYI on Gen Alpha: New Research and… | Fuller Youth Institute  Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. 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.

We all desire the church to be a safe place, where people with trauma know what it is to love and be loved (Matt. 22). In this workshop, we will explore the need for our youth ministries to become trauma-informed so that we may disciple students holistically and prevent further harm. We will discuss what trauma is, how the hope we have in Jesus speaks directly to any past, and when to seek a counseling referral. Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she’s taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she’s the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog. Resources:  Matthew 22 Helping Teenagers Process Graphic Violence: An Interview with Counselors Rahab Marshall and Gordon Bals - Rooted Ministry  On Handling Crisis in Your Youth Ministry - Podcasts Creating a Child Protection Policy for Your Church - Rooted Ministry  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the 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, Danny is joined with Hannah Augustine, the program director at KidzMatter Ministry. They discuss how Youth and KidMin leaders have a unique opportunity to disciple the teens who are serving in both their ministries. By partnering together, leaders can leverage their collective influence on the teenagers in their ministries. Resources: Kids Discipling Kids: The Integration of Youth and Children’s Ministries  Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole  Children's Ministry Resources  Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Join us at the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. 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.

The differences between an adult Sunday school class and one for kids are quite striking. A class for toddlers and preschoolers is rarely organized around the logic of a Bible passage, or even a lesson outline. Instead, lessons are structured by the classroom schedule and environment—by a basic routine and activity centers that are designed for play, music, the Bible story, and other games or crafts. How do we prepare children’s lessons that are Christ-centered, biblically faithful, engaging for kids, and oriented towards the distinct ways that kids learn? This workshop will help you learn how to do just that. Jared Kennedy serves as an editor for The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder of Gospel-Centered Family and the author of books for children and families like Faith-Builder Catechism (New Growth Press, 2023), Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission (Crossway, 2022), and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (New Growth, 2017). He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky, where they attend Sojourn Church Midtown. Announcing Rooted Children’s Ministry Curriculum: Why and How to Use 'Gospel Basics' Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the 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, Isaiah and Danny are joined by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson, two of the editors of the new, 52-Week devotional titled “God With You.” They discuss why and how this year-long devotional was written, what the hopes are for the devotional, how churches, youth ministries, and even parents might use this devotional, and the overall importance of theological depth in youth ministry and for teenagers.    Leading Students to Live by Faith Alone - Rooted Ministry Your Family Devotional Doesn't Have to be Pretty - Rooted Ministry Engage Teens with the Whole Bible by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson for The Gospel Coalition Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, October 22-24. 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.

Cultural waves are constantly changing — now more rapidly than ever. The messages teenagers hear and absorb from every screen and relationship in their lives shapes them at a fundamental level. They learn what to laugh at, who and how to love, and what’s worth weeping over and celebrating from messages both subtle and overt. Ministering in this context requires youth ministers and parents to carefully critique and connect these messages to their fulfillment in Jesus—in other words, we need to do cultural apologetics. In this workshop, we will explore the need for cultural apologetics and how it can be practiced in big and small ways in your ministry today. Skyler Reed Flowers (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is the program director for The Carson Center for Theological Renewal and cohort director for all TGC cohorts. He serves as an elder at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi and is working toward his Ph.D. in systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen. He served as an editor for The Gospel After Christendom. He is married to Brianna, and they have three kids. Cultural Narratives and Youth Ministry by Kendal Conner Three Truths for Parents and Children in a Changing Cultural Climate by Joey Turner Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock Acts 17:22-31 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 Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, and Isaiah discuss the unique pressures youth workers face during ministry planning season. From comparing your ministry to others to feeling the constant need to do more, they explore how leaders can build healthy, sustainable ministry rhythms that prioritize faithfulness over busyness. Together, they offer practical encouragement for protecting your soul while preparing for a new ministry year. Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout I’m Tired! A Look At The Spiritual Discipline Of Biblical Rest Essential Practices of Good Youth Ministry 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.

Walking with a teenager through body image struggles is a powerful discipleship opportunity, but oftentimes, it is hard to know how to connect it to God’s Word. How do we offer hope and comfort when we hear teenagers‘ cries of despair, anger, anxiety, or self-hatred about their bodies? This workshop will explore how the Bible’s storyline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration speaks to body image concerns. Using this framework, we will connect teenagers to why God made them, what happened to our relationship with our bodies in the Fall, how Christ redeems our thoughts about our bodies, and what restoration looks like. Together, we will see how the weightiness of body image struggles provides an opportunity to display the power of God’s Word and the beauty of the gospel. Resources: Body Image & Eating Disorders in Your Child - Rooted Ministry Body Image and God’s Word: Offering Hope, Comfort, and Truth to Teens - Rooted Ministry Body Image In the Image of God - Rooted Ministry 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 Youth Ministry Unscripted, Rebecca, Josh, and Danny discuss the summer-to-fall youth ministry transition as well as topics such as breaks for volunteers, finding rest and vacation time for youth ministry leaders, and end-of-summer youth group activities. They conclude with a discussion about being an outdoor person or beach person and how it might relate to their youth ministry programs.  Summer’s Breaking Potential for Youth Pastors Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Join us for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. 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 an age in which many young people drift from the church after high school, the call to intentional church membership is not optional—it’s a gospel imperative. This workshop will explore how the good news of Jesus not only saves but also plants youth deeply in the life of the local church for a lifetime of growth and mission. We’ll unpack biblical foundations for membership, confront common cultural and generational obstacles, and equip leaders to guide students toward committed, covenantal belonging. By rooting our next generation in the gospel and the local body, we shape a trajectory of perseverance, maturity, and kingdom impact that extends far beyond their teenage years. Resources: Ask Rooted: How Do You Incorporate Teenagers Into Corporate Worship? The Necessity of Intergenerational Integration for Discipling Teenagers - Rooted Ministry The Multi-Directional Blessings of Intergenerational Integration - Rooted Ministry 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 Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Isaiah Marshall discuss how to build a youth ministry year with purpose rather than simply filling a calendar with events. The conversation explores intentional planning, discipleship priorities, common mistakes leaders make during planning season, and practical ways to create a ministry year that helps students grow in their faith and walk with Jesus. Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Revised and Updated: Organizing, Leading, and Managing Your Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties) by Duffy Robbins Planning Your Annual Calendar in Youth and Family Ministry by Renee Imbesi 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.