Get ready to laugh and get ready to up your plans for Summer 2025! I am excited to introduce you to my friend Aaron from WinShape Camps. We talk all about WinShape's Summer Day Camp program that comes right to your church. I learned so much throughout this interview and I am so excited to see how God works through WinShape this summer and maybe at your church in the coming years. Learn more about Kids Ministry Circle Coaching: Next Gen Ministry Coaching Connect with Aaron Collier: @collieraaron ...
Mar 13, 2024•47 min
In our last episode of the Who's In Your Circle Series, we are talking about the importance of having a counselor on your team. I invited Joel Sneed LPC to join the podcast today. Joel is a counselor at Forth Worth Counseling & Intervention. We talk about church hurt, how to navigate conflict, the importance of validating emotions, and how to journey alongside families who have experienced suffering. This is a full episode that will definitely promote further thought. Connect with Kids Minis...
Mar 06, 2024•55 min
Our Who's In Your Circle series continues as we dive into the conversation around friendship. Finding friends and building intentional friendships can be hard as a ministry leader, but even through the difficulty, it is worth it! For today's episode, I invited my friend Kaeli Patrick. Kaeli is a Kids Pastor in Washington and has done an incredible job at building a team of friends around her to help point her toward Jesus. You will hear her story of how she invited people in and how her communit...
Feb 28, 2024•43 min
Our Who's In Your Circle Podcast continues and in this episode, I am talking to real life volunteers! I interview my friends Lindsay & Sarah and both of them have served in kids ministry for many many years. They are EXCELLENT volunteers! They share their unique perspectives and what they have to say will definitely help you lead and love your teams better! Let me give you a hint: no more coffee mugs! Resources Mentioned: Who's In Your Circle Guidebook Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Min...
Feb 21, 2024•47 min
We continue our "Who's In Your Circle" series by talking about the relationships between a kids ministry leader and a student ministry leader. Rachel Sawhook is the Director of Next Gen at Transformation Church and shares so much wisdom on how she works to bring these two ministries together. Resources Mentioned Who's In Your Circle Guidebook Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Ministry Circle Cohort Next Gen Leader Cohort Connect With Rachel @sawhook6 TC Kids Instagram: @transformationchurchkid...
Feb 14, 2024•47 min
Welcome to a brand new series, Who's In Your Circle! I am so honored to have Adam Griffin joining me on the podcast to talk about the relationship between a lead pastor and kids ministry pastor. We know this relationship is so crucial to so many aspects of the local church and we also know, this relationship can be a hard one to navigate. I am grateful for Adam's wisdom and authenticity as I asked him all the hard questions. My hope is that you listen and are encouraged. Don't forget to download...
Feb 07, 2024•46 min
Today's episode will definitely make you think long after the episode is over. Matt Markins, Awana CEO, joins me as we talk about the pieces that must come together to create a lifelong faith. It truly is the mundane, mysterious, and miraculous work of teaching kids the Gospel. Resources Mentioned Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Ministry Circle Next Gen Leader Cohort Awana Brite Curriculum Child Discipleship Forum Books Resilient: Child Discipleship The Faith of Our Children...
Jan 31, 2024•47 min
Is VBS still an effective way to reach our communities teach the next generation the Gospel? I'll let Barb tell you what she thinks...(hint: is a huge YES!) Barb has served in Kids Ministry for 30 years and is a writer behind Answers VBS by Answers in Genesis. Her story is such a great reminder of God's faithfulness and how He truly does care about every little detail. She offers so much wisdom for those of you planning a VBS for the 10th year or the 1st year! Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry ...
Jan 24, 2024•48 min
In todays episode, I talk with two of the three team members from Wit.Co Creative--the team behind the viral interchangeable signs (IYKYK) We talk all about kids ministry environments, why they matter, and how to make both small and big improvements to your environment. Looking for paint colors or rugs—don't miss the show notes! Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Next Gen Leader Cohort Student Ministry Circle Cohort Wit.Co Creative IG: @creativewit.co Resources Mentioned by Wit.Co Paint Colors: Crushed...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, I got to talk to Denise Muir Kjesbo, the program director for the Masters of Arts in Children & Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary and Shelley Henning, a recent graduate from the program. They both shared their love for higher eduction, and how this program has deeply shaped how they serve in their local church. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing higher education with practical ministry experience and offers words of encouragement and advice for those ne...
Dec 20, 2023•41 min
In this episode, Lexi Bartlett, the Kids Minister at Mosaic Church. shares her experience in church planting and the unique challenges and rewards it brings. She shares about the importance of effective communication and building relationships with space owners when navigating building moves and set-up/tear-down. Lexi also shares her approach to inviting parents to serve in kids ministry and the connection between parent discipleship and serving on Sunday mornings. Church planting is not easy bu...
Dec 13, 2023•55 min
Today's episode is with my new friend, Tyler Bates, one of the creators behind Amazing Kids Curriculum. I have been following Amazing Kids since they launched this Summer and I have definitely been amazed by all the incredible resources they are putting out for kids ministry leaders and kids. I loved hearing from Tyler how they intentionally create space for kids to learn how to hear God's voice! Resources Mentioned Podcast Feedback Form Amazing Kids Curriculum Amazing Kids on Youtube Follow Ama...
Dec 06, 2023•47 min
In this episode, Lauren walks you through the do's & don'ts of goal setting for 2024. She walks you through all her favorite tips and tricks and helps you steer clear of goal setting mistakes. Head into 2024 ready to tackle your goals, one little step at a time! Resources Mentioned: Jon Acuff's new book "All It Takes is a Goal" Goal Setting Guide...
Nov 29, 2023•22 min
In today's episode I chat with my friend Kiana Pendergrass, the Director of Kids Ministry at Greenwood Community Church. We talk about how kids ministry leaders can still grow and learn at every stage of their ministry career. Kiani gives so many great nuggets of advice on how she prepares for a new year of ministry and decides what area she wants to grow in next. This was a perfect conversation to have as we look toward 2024! Resources Mentioned: Goal Setting Worksheet KidzMatter KidMin Academy...
Nov 15, 2023•48 min
In this episode, I was able to talk to Charlotte Cox, a Kids Pastor from Seacoast Church in South Carolina. We talk about all the ways she builds, trains, and connects with her volunteer tips. Charlotte has over a decade of experience leading in Kids Ministry and she has learned a thing or two along the way. I am grateful for her wisdom and her willingness to share! Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Christmas HQ Darkness to Light Connect with Charlotte & Seacoast: @seacoastchurch @ki...
Nov 08, 2023•50 min
The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast is back from a short fall break and we are so excited to jump in with this incredible conversation with Brian Dollar. We talk about how he has learned from his own failures over many years of ministry and how he now leads a team where people can fail, learn from their mistakes, and keep leading! Resources Mentioned: Brian's book: I Blew It High Voltage Curriculum IG: @briandollar
Nov 01, 2023•42 min
The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast Christmas mini-series continues! Today is all about helping parents and families create rhythms & habits around discipleship at home. Advent & Christmas is my favorite season to champion parents and equip them to begin or continue the process of discipling their kids in small & big ways. Clayton Greene is one of the creators behind the company @goodkind and our favorite Advent resource, Advent Blocks. He cares deeply about parents being equipped to di...
Oct 11, 2023•35 min
Who is ready for a Christmas mini-series?? Our favorite kids ministry worship leader, Yancy, joins us on the podcast today to talk all about Christmas performances. Regardless if you love them or just like them, everyone loves seeing kiddos up on stage signing & dancing their little hearts out. Yancy encourages us on how to start and plan for a Christmas performance and she gives us the inside scoop on her brand new Christmas musical, Best Christmas Song Ever! This episode will definitely ge...
Oct 04, 2023•48 min
To the ministry leaders who wear all the hats—this one is for you! Amy Gannett is a wife, mom, church planter, business owner, and so passionate about people studying the Bible and growing in their knowledge of God. In this episode we talk about everything from church planting to the importance of striving to know and love God deeper. You are going to love it! Resources Mentioned: Connect with Amy @amycategannett @tinytheologians @biblestudyschoolhouse...
Sep 27, 2023•51 min
Have you ever thought about writing your own curriculum ?!? If that's you—you are going to LOVE today's podcast episode with Anna Brantley. Anna serves as the Kids Director at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX and her and her team write their own curriculum. (Also, they give it away for FREE!) We talk about the why and how of creating curriculum and what fruit they have seen from it. Don't miss the end where Anna shares some encouraging wisdom about staff culture and how kids ministry leade...
Sep 20, 2023•55 min
Today's episode is with my friend James Lott. James is the Kids Ministry Director at Stonehill Church and we talk all about transitions in ministry. James recently left a job in kids ministry, moved his family across a few states, and started over in a new ministry role. We talk about how he was able to leave well, what it looks like to move to a new state with a family in tow, and how he is spending his first 90 days in his new job. Transitions are inevitable so I hope you all soak up the wisdo...
Sep 13, 2023•44 min
In this week's episode, I got to virtually sit down with Dan Scott. Dan is the Executive Director of Lifestage Content Strategy at Orange and we get deep into the weeds of Generation Alpha and how to adapt to the changing world of kids ministry. Dan has been a longtime trusted voice and so it was a gift to be able to talk ministry with him on the podcast! Resources Mentioned: Orange Tour use code: KidsMinistryCircleOT23 for 10% off your tour ticket! Learn More from Dan: Caught in Between by Dan ...
Sep 06, 2023•58 min
In this episode, I talk with Rochell Goff, the Director of Families at Soujourn Midtown in Louisville, KY. We talk about two programs that she has spear-headed to help kids know and love God more. Through her apologetics class and SK Global she is able to equip kids and families to grow in their faith way past Sunday mornings. I hope this episode gives you the confidence and inspiration to create something new for your ministry! Resources Mentioned: Orange Tour use code: KidsMinistryCircleOT23 f...
Aug 30, 2023•42 min
Can you really leverage technology to reach kids with the Gospel?? My friend @brittanynelson91 is here to help us answer that question! She joins me on the podcast and we talk about the hurdles you may face when introducing new technology, strategies on how to use technology well, and we share our favorite digital tools! I can't wait to hear what you think and how you are implementing technology into your ministry! Resources Mentioned: Orange Tour use code: KidsMinistryCircleOT23 for 10% off you...
Aug 23, 2023•47 min
I was able to sit down with the Kidmin Doctors and talk about mentoring in ministry. These two ladies were the perfect guests to talk about this with because their relationship with so sweet and it was such a gift to hear how they encourage one another in life, ministry, and now work! Resources Mentioned: Orange Tour use code: KidsMinistryCircleOT23 for 10% off your tour ticket! Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Connect with Valeria & Virginia: Youtube Kid Min Podcast Pinterest...
Aug 16, 2023•44 min
SURPRISE! I have been so excited to share this big news with you. To make it even better, I brought my friend Matt along with me. Listen to hear what we are launching this fall and how you can help us spread the word. Resources Mentioned: Spotify for Podcasters Kids Ministry Circle Fall Cohort Student Ministry Circle Fall Cohort Connect with Matt: matt@studentministrycircle.com...
Aug 14, 2023•25 min
This week's episode is with people I have admired for a long time and I am so excited to have them on the podcast! Our guests are Robert & Lori Crosby. They are the authors of Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry and the founders of Reach Hurting Kids Institute. How they equip ministry leaders to care for and love all kids and students is truly incredible. I was a better large group teacher after this conversation and I know you will be encouraged and equipped to love your families well. Reso...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr
In the last episode of our Volun-Summer series, I invited my friend Nick Blevins to join me as we answer all of your volunteer questions! Questions Answered: -Welcome to the podcast! Introduce yourself, tell us how you go into the world of Kids Ministry, and tell us what you are doing now. -Whose responsibility is it to recruit volunteers? -What is the best way to schedule volunteers? -Student volunteers! How do you onboard, train, and encourage student volunteers? -How can you encourage parents...
Aug 02, 2023•48 min
In this episode, I got to talk with Natalia Ray from Hill City Church. Natalie serves as the Kids Director and her team is primarily made up of college students. Having a team of young adults is incredible but it comes with its own set of challenges. Hear how Natalia serves her team and works to raise up the next generation of leaders. Resources Mentioned: Fall Kick-Off Guide SALT Network...
Jul 26, 2023•45 min
This episode was such a gift to me as I was able to sit down with the Pastor of our church! J.T English is an author, podcaster, and pastor at Storyline Church in Arvada, CO. Why did I invite a lead pastor to have a conversation around volunteers? Well, let me tell you! Over the last few months I have had many conversations with kids ministry leaders around the idea of training volunteers not just on policy and procedures but also theologically. We all want our teams to be equipped to share the ...
Jul 19, 2023•32 min
