In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the continual and important issue of unengaged students. From students on your youth ministry rosters who do not attend, to those who do attend but are not fully engaged or very active in youth group. In considering these students, they discuss various ways to get these unengaged students more engaged into church and youth group. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Min...
Aug 12, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 310
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, veteran youth pastor Justin Wong reflects on how culture—through wars, elections, and even music—has shaped youth ministry over the years. He offers honest encouragement for the weary youth worker, while highlighting both the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with serving the next generation. Justin has served in youth and family ministry for over 23 years. He holds degrees from Houston Baptist University, Southwestern B...
Aug 05, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 309
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jimmy Kim explores the heart of family ministry—what it is, why it matters, and how churches can cultivate it in their own context. With over 20 years of experience across youth, college, and family ministry, Jimmy offers a practical and gospel-centered approach for churches of all sizes and backgrounds. Jimmy serves as the Executive Director of Family Transformation at Perimeter Church near Atlanta, GA. He’s a husband to Shin and dad t...
Jul 29, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 308
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about the youth ministry "summer high." They describe the positive and negative aspects of the annual "summer high," and discuss how to counteract the negatives. Our hosts also discuss transitioning from great summer ministries into the fall and beyond, developing programs for cohesive year-round ministry to students. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscript...
Jul 22, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 307
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , we discuss the changes that occur in youth ministry during the summer months. The rhythm of ministry shifts, the workload changes, and the importance of building relational connections with students are all important factors in thinking about our summer. We also talk about the challenges of maintaining programming consistency and the unique opportunities that summer presents for youth workers to connect with students. Ask Rooted: What Does Relationa...
Jul 15, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 306
In this insightful workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Dr. Danny Kwon explores how to cultivate a youth ministry culture that embraces intergenerational integration. He unpacks why connecting generations within the church is vital to discipling students for a lifelong faith in Jesus, and offers practical steps for how you can implement intergenerational ministry in your unique context. Danny Kwon, Ph.D., is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross-Cultural Initiati...
Jul 09, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 305
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny discuss the critical role of volunteers in youth ministry. They talk about recruiting and retaining volunteers, the various roles they can fill, and effective strategies for building relationships with them. We need to care for and connect with our volunteers, as well as provide clear expectations and ongoing communication to ensure a successful team experience. Playing the Long Game: Five Suggestions for Retaining Volunteers ...
Jul 02, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 304
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted conference in Dallas, veteran youth leader Vince Greenwald shares the essential values of the church, and the youth ministry where he serves. While acknowledging that what students need, more than anything, everytime they gather, is the gospel. But the additional elements of offering a safe environment- defined as “every student needs a place where they can stop trying to be impressive and start being known” - and time allow students to flourish in the manne...
Jun 25, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 303
In this honest and hope-filled episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny tackle a topic often overlooked in youth ministry: preparing students for suffering. As high school graduates transition into adulthood, our youth ministries must do more than celebrate. We must disciple them with a theology of suffering rooted in Christ. The hosts share personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical strategies for equipping students with a faith that endures beyond the youth room. Fro...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 302
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Mike McGarry dives deep into the topic of delivering expository messages for youth. Mike begins by discussing the difference between expository teaching and biblical teaching. He provides a helpful definition of expository teaching and gives us a framework for how to faithfully teach God’s word the way God’s word is written and show our youth how it applies in all spheres of life. Mike McGarry is the Director of Youth Pastor Theologi...
Jun 10, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 301
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny unpack how the culture of a youth ministry’s leadership team profoundly impacts the faith of students. They reflect on why students are more shaped by what leaders model than what they say, and explore how authenticity, humility, and spiritual health within the leadership team can either build up or break down student faith formation. The trio also gets real about vulnerability boundaries, how to handle team drama, and practic...
Jun 04, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 300
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Josh Newton, Danny Kwon, and Isaiah Marshall dive deep into the topic of missions and youth ministry. Together, they explore the value of short-term mission trips, how they shape students spiritually, and the importance of aligning mission work with a gospel-centered philosophy. Each guest brings their unique background and practical experience to the conversation offering honest insights and encouragement for youth pastors looking t...
May 28, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 299
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Cameron Cole shares a pathway for healthy tech use. He starts with sharing why we need to be vigilant relative to our kids and technology and then shares practical plans to be proactive and not reactive as it relates to technology use in their kids. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry. He is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016) and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High Sch...
May 20, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 298
In this second episode with author and counselor Andrea Lee, author of the devotional Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift, Danny and Josh explore the implications of students' struggles for ministry. They talk with Andrea how a youth leader might help teenagers with body image concerns, when churches might need to get parents involved, and how youth ministries might serve teenagers in ways that do not make body image issues worse. Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift by Andrea Lee Resources on Ro...
May 14, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 297
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, T.J. Lewis shares how leaders can build relationships with the students they serve that lasts. In this talk, Lewis lays out practical ways leaders can befriend students and invest in them for years, even beyond youth group. T.J. Lewis serves as a youth pastor at Lake Church in Arlington, TX. T.J. is a proud husband to Bekah; dad to Anson, Cadence, and Zion; a Texan, a Rangers fan, and a barbecue aficionado. Follow @therootedministry ...
May 06, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 296
In this episode, Danny and Josh sit down with Andrea Lee, author of Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift. They talk about her experience as a counselor to teenagers, and Lee shares why she wrote her book. In their conversation, Lee discusses the development of eating disorders, and why teenagers have such a difficult time accepting their bodies as a good gift from God. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcast...
Apr 30, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 295
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Lindsey Carlson shares how leaders can encourage teenagers with their words. In this talk, Lindsey shares that the most effective way to encourage teenagers is through the promises of God. Lindsey is the author of Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Maturing in Christ (Crossway 2019), A Better Encouragement: Trading Self-Help for True Hope (Crossway 2022), and Identity: Discovering Who You Are In Christ (P&R 2024). Linds...
Apr 23, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 294
Do you endure a lot of awkward silences? Do you ever have that kid in your youth group that only gives you one word answers when you’re trying to strike up conversation? In Episode 8 of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss struggles and strategies for connecting with our students. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
Apr 15, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 293
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Cameron Cole unpacks the story of Daniel 7. In his talk, Cameron discusses the constant chaos of the world, the certain stability of God, and the sustainable safety of the gospel. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry. He is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016) and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press). Cameron is the author of Therefore I...
Apr 08, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 292
In this 7th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the challenge of teaching the Bible to students. Youth ministers often struggle with what to teach as well as ways to teach Scripture in an engaging way. If you’ve ever scratched your head on the morning of your mid-week event and wondered “What am I going to say tonight?” this is a great episode for you! Rooted offers Bible curriculum for 26 books of the Bible and more! Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for m...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 291
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Harold Kim unpacks the story of Daniel 6. From Daniel 6, Harold passionately shares the most effective way to fulfill your mission and how to fulfil your mission. Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His gre...
Mar 25, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 290
In this 6th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny tackle a challenge that youth pastors everywhere are facing: How do we disciple students who are too busy to show up? They dive into the pressures that students face—from academics to sports to social commitments—and how this impacts their spiritual lives. The hosts also discuss practical ways youth pastors can adapt to meet students where they are without adding to their already overwhelming schedules. If you’re strugglin...
Mar 20, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 289
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Anna Meade Harris unpacks the story of Daniel 4. Anna shares about the gracious pursuit of the Hound of Heaven. Anna Meade Harris is the is the Senior Director of Content at Rooted, co-host of the Rooted Parent podcast, and the author of God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well (Zondervan, 2024), winner of Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awar...
Mar 12, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 288
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny dive into the role of youth ministry within the larger church context. They discuss the biblical and theological foundations for youth ministry, the importance of intergenerational integration, and the challenges of keeping students engaged in the church beyond high school. They also share practical strategies for strengthening connections between youth and the larger church body, as well as how to foster discipleship that las...
Mar 04, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 287
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Josh Hussung unpacks the story of Daniel 2. Josh shares that God is the revealer of mysteries. Josh is the Pastor of Youth and Families at Grace Community Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and has been in youth ministry for over 18 years. Rooted Resources: Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry...
Feb 25, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 286
In this 4th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about ethnic segregation in church. Do our churches and youth groups need to be multicultural or not? They also talk about diversity and differences, and they share a famous Martin Luther King Jr. quote. The guys close the conversation talking about their favorite youth ministry games. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts...
Feb 18, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 285
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, John Onwuchekwa (John O.) unpacks the story of Daniel 3. John O. shares how knowing God means you do not have to know the future. John is the North American Senior Director for Thought Leadership and Innovation for Redeemer City to City in New York, NY. Rooted Resources: Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe ...
Feb 12, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 284
In view of Black History Month, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about issues of race, ethnicity, and culture. They consider how race and ethnicity need to be talked about and taught in their churches and youth ministries. Stay tuned for their discussion of their favorite icebreakers for youth group. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts...
Feb 04, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 283
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, K.A. Ellis unpacks the story of Daniel 1. Ellis shares how the same God who delivered Daniel is faithful to deliver us. Ellis is the Director of the Edmiston Center at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. “Courage is a habit and it must become ours.” Rooted Resources: Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle Register for Ro...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 282
In this second episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk real, honest, and raw about some of the biggest struggles they face as youth ministry leaders. They share the biggest challenges that youth pastors and churches face in ministry today, as well as how the gospel shapes us to love Jesus in the difficulties. Serving in ministry has given each of them a love/hate relationship with takeout pizza… Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to ...
Jan 21, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 281
