End Goals: LCMS Youth Ministry Podcast

#159. Technology and Youth Ministry

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Technology impacts culture, education, social lives, and more. Youth Ministry isn’t exempt from feeling those changes, even as the Gospel stays the same. Mark and Julianna discuss some of the key topics we are hearing from youth leaders about how those changes are impacting healthy youth ministry.

Resources:

YouthESource Website – youthesource.com

#158. Supporting Student Athletes

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna interview two student athletes, Savannah Butterfield and George Austin, about how the church can support all student athletes in their vocation.

Bios:

Savannah Butterfield is from St. Louis, Missouri and plays on the Concordia University, Nebraska basketball team. Her home congregation is The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens.

George Austin is from Chandler, Arizona and plays lacrosse for Corona De Sol High School in Tempe. His home congregation is Risen Savior in Chandler.

Resources:

YouthESource Website – youthesource.com

End Goals is the podcast of LCMS Youth Ministry in the Office of National Mission. LCMS Youth Ministry Staff discuss practices for healthy youth ministry and interview practitioners who provide insight for experienced and new youth leaders.

#157. Does God Care About Sports?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Dr. Heath Lewis joins Mark and Julianna to try and answer the question “Does God care about sports?” as we continue our series on youth ministry and sports.

Bio:

Dr. Heath Lewis joined the faculty at Concordia University, St. Paul in Fall 2015. As Associate Professor of Christian Education & Leadership, Dr. Lewis teaches courses in the Christian Ministry major, working to enhance the historically strong Christian Education and Church Work programs at CSP. In his role as Associate Chair of the Department of Theology & Ministry, Dr. Lewis supports the Department’s faculty, staff, and students in their teaching, research, and professional development. He also leads the academic programming for CSP’s LCMS Colloquy program, and has served as an instructor in CSP’s EdD in Educational Leadership program. Prior to arriving at CSP, Dr. Lewis served as the Director of Christian Education (DCE) at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Edmond, OK).

Outside the classroom, Dr. Lewis can often be found in the crowd at a concert or sporting event. He is passionate about cheering on his favorite sports teams, including Tottenham Hotspur FC (EPL), Minnesota United FC (MLS), and Gonzaga Bulldogs (NCAA). Above all, Dr. Lewis loves spending time with his wife and daughter.

Resources:

YouthESource Website – youthesource.com

#156. Sports and Youth Ministry

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna talk about how youth sports have changed over the past few decades and how the current youth sport environment can impact teens and their families. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com

#155. Talking about Politics

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

Politics can be a divisive thing to discuss, but it's an important part of engaging in our vocations. Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies comes in to discuss how we can have healthy conversations about politics in our youth ministry. Bio: Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies is the Vice President for Ministry Engagement with Lutheran Hour Ministries. His work centers around helping the church become more outreach focused by empowering it to share the Gospel with non-churched individuals at more personal levels. His former life as a non-believer provides exceedingly relevant experience for thinking about how to engage with our friends and neighbors outside the kingdom of God. Lakies regularly speaks at national conferences for pastors and church professionals and has published in several journals on the topic of faith and culture. He is the author of How the Light Shines Through: Resilient Witness in Dark Times (Concordia Publishing House, 2024), a guide for helping the church engage in winsome witness while facing the challenges of contemporary culture. Prior to his time with Lutheran Hour Ministries, Lakies served as department chair and associate professor of religion at Concordia University in Portland, OR. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of Michigan and an M.Div. and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He and his wife Bethany have two daughters. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com How the Light Shines Through by Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies - cph.org/how-the-light-shines-through-resilient-witness-in-dark-times The Two Realms and the Separation of Church and State by Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann - cph.org/the-two-realms-and-the-separation-of-church-and-state

#154. Talking about War

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

War is not a new topic, but it is one our young people may be asking about. In this episode, Mark and Julianna are joined by Rev. Dr. Joel Lehehbauer, the Executive Director of the Commission on Theology & Church Relations (CTCR) for the LCMS to give us a brief understanding of how we talk about war in the church. Bio: Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer is the Executive Director of the Commission on Theology & Church Relations (CTCR) for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He has been on the executive staff of the CTCR since 1991, having previously served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hillsdale, Mich. (1985-1990). He is a frequent speaker at church-related conferences on a wide variety of theological topics, and has a special interest in current issues, challenges, and opportunities in areas involving the intersection between church and culture. Dr. Lehenbauer attended Valparaiso University, Concordia College, Ann Arbor (B.A.), and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. (M.Div., STM, Ph.D.). He and his wife Hope live in Union, Mo. and have four grown children and five grandchildren. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com Commission on Theology and Church Relations Library - resources.lcms.org/reading-study/theology-and-church-relations-library Holy Resolve Bible Study from Concordia Publishing House - cph.org/holy-resolve-terror-war-today-downloadable End Goals is the podcast of LCMS Youth Ministry in the Office of National Mission. LCMS Youth Ministry Staff discuss practices for healthy youth ministry and interview practitioners who provide insight for experienced and new youth leaders.

#153. Talking about Pornography

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0600

We continue our series on hard conversations by talking with Daniel Weiss, executive director of the Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit, about how we approach conversations around pornography with our young people. Bio: Daniel Weiss is the executive director of the Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit, which supports, equips, and collaborates with Christian leaders to promote Gospel-centered sexuality in the Church. Daniel and his wife live in the Wisconsin countryside with their five children. He has co-authored the book Treading Boldly Through a Pornographic World. This last summer he spoke at the LCMS Youth Gathering in sessions for both youth and adults on the topic of pornography and also attended the event as an adult leader. The Weiss family are members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omro, WI. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com Daniel Weiss’ Organization: sexualintegrityleaders.com/ Daniel’s book: amazon.com/Treading-Boldly-through-Pornographic-World/dp/1684511607 Family Technology Covenant: youthesource.com/2023/06/family-technology-covenant/ Conversation Guide on Pornography: youthesource.com/2025/10/start-a-conversation-aboutpornography/

#152. Talking about Divorce

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In a new series, we discuss how to approach and talk about difficult topics in our youth’s lives. In this episode, DCE Rebecca Duport shares her story and how we can talk about divorce in Youth Ministry. Bio: Rebecca Duport has served her alma mater, Concordia University Irvine, as the Director of the DCE program since 2014. A DCE for 26 years, Rebecca has worked with children, youth, families, and older adults. She brings a wealth of experience and a passion for equipping and inspiring the next generation of leaders in the church. She is a proud DCE mom to four boys alongside her husband of 26 years. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com

#151. Gathering Finishing Pack – Between Now and 2028

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In our final episode of the Gathering Finishing Pack, we talk about what happens between now and the 2028 LCMS Youth Gathering. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com

#150. Gathering Finishing Pack – Impact of the Gathering

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The Gathering has an impact far beyond what happens in your congregation. Hear DCE Zeal Beale and Kari Benson talk about the impact of our service at the 2025 Youth Gathering. Bio: Zeal Beale is the mother of two adult children and one rescue chiwennie dog named Trisk. Since her return twelve years ago from South Africa as an LCMS missionary, she has served as DCE at St. Paul in the heart of New Orleans. Loving God and His people, she also became a profession chaplain and works part time with a hospice company. Kari Benson is from Ruskin, Ne and has been the connections Director at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, NE since 2018. She is wife to Tim and mom to sons Cayden and Cale. She enjoys gardening, canning, camping, and Jeep adventures with her family. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com Resources from the LCMS Gathering - youthesource.com/lcms-youth-gathering LCMS Servant Events - lcms.org/how-we-serve/youth/servant-events Building Empathy through Technology article with Play Spent - youthesource.com/2020/10/developing-empathy-even-with-technology Plarn Mat Instructions - youthesource.com/2020/09/plarn-service-project-and-devotion

#149. Gathering Finishing Pack – Community Post-Gathering

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger joins Mark and Julianna to talk about our theme of community and how we can carry it forward in healthy youth ministry. Bio: Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Student Life at Concordia Seminary here in St. Louis.  He served a congregation in Minnesota before coming to the Seminary. Peter has served on our Theological Advisory Team for several Gatherings and wrote the thematic paper for the 2025 Gathering.  Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com

#148. Gathering Finishing Pack – Staff Reflections

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The LCMS Youth Ministry staff reflects on the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering and celebrates what God did during our time together in New Orleans. Resources: YouthESource Website – youthesource.com LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com End Goals is the podcast of LCMS Youth Ministry in the Office of National Mission. LCMS Youth Ministry Staff discuss practices for healthy youth ministry and interview practitioners who provide insight for experienced and new youth leaders.

#147. Gathering Finishing Pack – The First Sunday Back

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We know that you are exhausted as you return from a big event like the Gathering. Mark and Julianna talk through some things to keep in mind in the first days and weeks after the Gathering to help make the Gathering a catalyst for healthy youth ministry.

Resources:

YouthESource Website – youthesource.com
LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com

#146. Live at the Gathering

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna record from the Interactive Floor of the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering!

Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com
YouthESource website – youthesource.com

#145. LCMS Youth Gathering – Answering the Big Questions

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

As the Gathering gets closer, we are taking some of your big questions so you can be confident heading to New Orleans in just a week!

Resources:

YouthESource website – youthesource.com.
LCMS Youth Gathering – lcmsgathering.com

#144. LCMS Youth Gathering – Caring for Yourself as an Adult Leader

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

As large youth events like servant events, camps, and the LCMS Youth Gathering are happening this summer, adult leaders may be focused on their youth. But it is important for adult leaders to care for themselves as well. DCE Annie Anderson and Pastor Peter Couser talk about best practices for making sure all the adult leaders thrive and connect with the Gospel at large youth events.

Bio:

Annie Anderson is a DCE, preschool director and preschool teacher, all 3 in 1, at Hosanna Lutheran Church and Little Palms Preschool in Mesa Arizona. Endure 2025 will be her 9th LCMS Youth Gathering as a participant, adult leader or planner. She has a passion for empowering and equipping adult leaders to point the younger generations to Christ. Together with her husband, Rev. Timothy Anderson, they are in the process of adopting 2 siblings out of foster care. Oh, and they have a dog, Phoenix.

Pastor Peter Couser is Campus Pastor of Concordia Prep (formerly Baltimore Lutheran High School) in Towson, MD and is the Mission Developer of NewThing Lutheran Church which meets in the school and was chartered in June 2022.

Resources:

YouthEsource website – youthesource.com.
LCMS Youth Gathering – www.lcmsgathering.com

#143. LCMS Youth Gathering – Divine Service

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Rev. Sean Daenzer joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the Divine Service on Wednesday at the Gathering. We hope this helps you get excited and prepare your group for this unique worship experience.

Bio:

Rev. Sean Daenzer serves as director of LCMS Worship and chaplain of the LCMS International Center. He previously served for seven years as pastor of a dual parish in rural North Dakota. Daenzer holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ from Hope College, Holland, Mich. (2006), and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. (2011). He and his wife, Audrey, have four children.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
LCMS Youth Gathering – www.lcmsgathering.com

#142. Church Work Recruitment

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

There so many ways Christians can serve and live out their vocations. The church also needs professional church workers! In this episode, Rev. Dr. Jim Baneck talks about how youth ministry can encourage young people to consider church work.

Bio:

Rev. Dr. Jim Baneck is the executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education. In this role, he encourages the spiritual, character, confessional, physical, emotional and intellectual development of LCMS pastors and other church workers. He and his wife, Myrna, live in St. Louis and are blessed with four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Set Apart to Serve: https://www.lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

#141. Exploring the Seven Practices – Where to Start

Fri, 02 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna wrap up our series on the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry with some ideas for practical use and next steps.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH
Research from the Pacific Northwest District: https://nowlcms.org/resources/youth-leadership-initiative-survey/

#140. Exploring the Seven Practices – Live Out Their Unique Vocation

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In the final episode going through the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, we talk with Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann about helping youth understand vocation and how God has placed them to be His hands and feet in the world.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann serves as Vice President of Faith and Ministry and Chief Mission Officer for Concordia University, St. Paul. He also serves on the Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for assisting the University in maintaining a strong institutional mission and identity as a Christ-centered Lutheran university. In his role, he oversees CSP Ministry and Church Relations and serves as the Chairperson for the Department of Theology and Ministry. Dr. Koschmann assists his congregation, Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, as a pastor, liturgist, and Bible study teacher. He and his wife, Dr. Kara Koschmann, have three children.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH
Rev. Dr. Koschmann’s Vocation Curriculum - https://www.youthesource.com/2019/07/bible-study-leading-lives-that-matter/

#139. LCMS Youth Gathering – Gathering Service and Offering

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna discuss the ways in which we serve during the Gathering and how the Gathering offering gets used.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
LCMS Youth Gathering – www.lcmsgathering.com

#138. Exploring the Seven Practices – Building a Resilient Identity in Christ

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:02:00 -0600

As young people hear countless messages about who they are, we want them to have a resilient identity in Christ. DCE Paul Nelson joins us to talk about how to help youth build that resiliency as they are disciples of Jesus for life.

Bio: DCE Paul Nelson currently serves at St. John’s Lutheran in Buffalo, MN. He graduated from Concordia Nebraska and has served congregations for six years.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH

#137. Exploring the Seven Practices – Deeply Understand their Baptismal Faith

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:01:00 -0600

Rev. Dr. Peter Jurchen joins Mark and Julianna to talk about how youth ministry can help every young person to deeply understand their Baptismal Faith.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Peter Jurchen is an Assistant Professor of Lutheran Education and Faith Formation at Concordia University, Nebraska. Prior to that, he was an editor of Curriculum Resources at Concordia Publishing House. In addition to his MDiv, he has a Masters and Doctorate in Education. He enjoys the pursuit of lifelong learning and serves as the Editor for the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry book.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH

#136. Exploring the Seven Practices – Opportunities to Serve and Lead

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna dive into the fourth of seven practices in "Opportunities to Serve and Lead." Joining them is DCE KerriAnn Schmidt who works to empower her youth to serve and lead in their congregation.

Bio: DCE KerriAnn Schmidt started to serve Zion Lutheran Bellville in 2001 right after her graduation from Concordia Nebraska. She leads Zion's Family Ministry. Her passion is to help parents and grandparents bring the love of Jesus into their homes and provide education and events to help strengthen our families and community. KerriAnn’s husband, JP, is a teacher at Zion Lutheran School. They have two young children.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH

#135. Exploring the Seven Practices – Engaged Parents

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0600

Pastor Brian King and DCE Emily Schatz join Mark and Julianna to talk about how we engage parents in youth ministry. Our conversation helps remind us to support and care for the parents of our youth as a part of youth ministry.

Bio:

Pastor Brian King graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan before going to Seminary. He has served at Webster Gardens since 1998. He and his wife Liz have two kids. He has never seen a documentary he didn’t like.

DCE Emily Schatz graduated from Concordia University Chicago in 2016. She served in Washington and Colorado before joining the staff at Webster Gardens in 2021. Emily has focused on middle school and high school students in her congregations. Emily grew up in St. Louis and was excited to move back here with her husband and three daughters to be closer to her parents and extended family.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH

#134. Exploring the Seven Practices – Church Workers as Supportive Adults

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0600

We know that pastors, DCEs, teachers and other church workers play a special role as supportive adults for youth. Pastor Ben Meyer joins us to talk about how church workers can be supportive adults and create an environment that encourages other supportive adults.

Bio:

Pastor Ben Meyer is pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, Ohio and the president of the Central Ohio Lutheran Immigrant Mission. He and his wife Christine have four children: Timothy, Lucy, Cooper, and Boaz. He also enjoys making BBQ in the backyard when time permits.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry available at CPH
Age to Age: An Intergenerational Study of Spiritual Practices by Pastor Meyer

#133. LCMS Youth Gathering – Gathering Volunteers

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0600

There are over 1000 volunteers who help make the LCMS Youth Gathering run! DCEs Lindsey Schmidt and Leslie Sullivan talk about their experience in supporting our Gathering Ambassadors, Young Adult Volunteers and Team Flex.

Bios:

Lindsey Schmidt has been a DCE for 19 years and is still serving at her first call: Woodbury Lutheran. She serves as the Director of Next Gen ministries and loves working with middle school students. She and her husband Tad enjoy volunteering and serving at the Gathering. This will be her 10th Gathering, having experienced the Gathering from many different seats: participant, young adult volunteer, Primary Adult leader, Community Life Builder, and Planner.

Leslie Sullivan has been a DCE for over 20 years now and this will be her 9th LCMS Youth Gathering. She currently serves as Celebrate Director at St John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. She has been blessed to be married to her amazing husband Brian for 8 years, and they love volunteering and serving at the Gathering together.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
LCMS Youth Gathering – www.lcmsgathering.com

#132. History of LCMS Youth Ministry

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:45:00 -0500

In this special episode, we interview Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, who served LCMS Youth Ministry for many years. His stories help give us some wisdom and perspective about youth ministry.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer had a distinguishing career serving the church. He served as a Lutheran high school teacher, parish pastor, poet, song and hymn writer, and supporter of young people and those who care for them. One of the main ways he did this was as a staff member of LCMS Youth Ministry. He led organizations such as Lutheran Youth Fellowship and served as the department’s communication director. In the early 2000s, he served as the Director of LCMS Youth Ministry until he retired in 2016. He now lives in Kirkwood, MO with his wife Shari. He enjoys his home and backyard and spending time with his children and their families.

Resources:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#131. Exploring the Seven Practices – Supportive Adults

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:45:00 -0500

We believe every young person should have at least five Christian supportive adults in their lives. DCE Hailey Jo Miller comes on the podcast to talk about how she engages and encourages supportive adults in her youth ministry.

Bio: Hailey Jo is the Director of Student Ministry at Memorial Lutheran Church. She's served in ministry for 13 years and loves working with students to affirm their baptismal identity and connect God's word to their daily living. Her current hobby is cleaning up after her 5 children and saying "no" to the 59th snack of the day.

Resources:

Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry avaliable at CPH
Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#130. Exploring the Seven Practices – Warmth, Challenge, and Grace

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

As we dive into the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Angela Kollbaum to talk about what it means to have warmth, challenge, and grace.

Bio: Angela Kollbaum, DCE, PLMHP is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) and Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) in the state of Nebraska with Lutheran Family Service (LFS). She is a member of a Christian counseling team as a master’s-level prepared mental health and marriage and family counselor. She serves clients in person in the Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska area. Angela also serves Nebraskans through telehealth. She also serves as the director of the LFS Church Worker Wellness Team to provide support, encouragement, and prayer for church workers throughout the LCMS. She is Called as the Director of Christian Education (DCE) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, NE.

Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry avaliable at CPH: https://www.cph.org/seven-practices-of-healthy-youth-ministry?srsltid=AfmBOorekrYOVJEP-oK7TM9kmh8fOC_6Ob3v9S9unGIRdDp0RHxTlSTg

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#129. LCMS Youth Ministry: What are the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry?

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna kick off a series that goes through each of the seven practices of youth ministry. But before they do, let’s take a second to remember how we got these practices to begin with and what they are designed to do.

Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry avaliable at CPH: https://www.cph.org/seven-practices-of-healthy-youth-ministry?srsltid=AfmBOorekrYOVJEP-oK7TM9kmh8fOC_6Ob3v9S9unGIRdDp0RHxTlSTg

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#128. LCMS Youth Gathering: Pre-Gathering Bible Studies

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0500

The Gathering is more than five days. One of the ways we hope that groups come together is in pre-Gathering Bible studies. Pastor Doug Bender and DCE AJ Vega, members of the Gathering Bible Study Team, join us to talk about the themes and values of pre-Gathering Bible studies.

Bios:

Pastor Doug Bender serves as an associate pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Macomb, Michigan. Before serving at Immanuel, Pastor Doug was a campus pastor for six years at Concordia University Wisconsin. One of his greatest passions is supporting and encouraging students and young people in faith and life, and he is thrilled to join the Gathering planning team and for the ways God’s Word will impact countless lives before, during, and after the Gathering!

AJ Vega is the Director of Discipleship and Outreach at St. John's Church and Renewal Church in Denver, Colorado. AJ has served on multiple teams for the Gathering in the past, including serving as an Emcee for the 2019 Gathering in Minneapolis and serving on the Bible Study Team in 2022 in Houston. When not working, AJ loves to spend time with his expecting wife (!) his cat, Bruno, and drinking pour-over coffee in the wee hours of the morning.

Youth Gathering Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website – lcmsgathering.com
Facebook Page – facebook.com/lcmsgathering
Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry
LCMS Youth Gathering Pre- Event Bible Studies www.lcmsgathering.com/biblestudy
YouthESource Website – www.youthesource.com

#127. LCMS Youth Gathering – Ready to Register?

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:45:00 -0500

It is almost time for registration to start for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering! New staff Becky Kammeier and Emily Myers join us to discuss key things to know about how to plan for your registration to the Gathering.

Youth Gathering Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website – lcmsgathering.com
Facebook Page – facebook.com/lcmsgathering
Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#126. Starter Pack 2.0 - Choosing and Writing Bible Studies and Devotions

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:45:00 -0500

One component that is a part of every youth ministry is time in God’s Word. This episode is a discussion of how you can intentionally plan, choose, and write Bible Studies and Devotions for your teens.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#125. LCMS Youth Gathering – Exploring New Orleans

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:45:00 -0500

New Orleans is a city with a lot of LCMS Youth Gathering history, and we are excited to be there again in 2025. Listen to Mark and Julianna talk about NOLA as we prepare for the next Gathering.

Youth Gathering Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website - lcmsgathering.com
Facebook Page - facebook.com/lcmsgathering
Facebook Group - facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#124. Starter Pack 2.0 - Using Games Effectively

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:45:00 -0500

Most youth ministries use games regularly, but new youth leaders might not know how to best use those games. We are joined by Signe White, Ellie Lutz, and Keith Peters, who all serve in camp ministry, to talk about how to use games for teaching, community building, and more.

Resources in this episode:

National Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association: nloma.org
Games on YouthESource: youthesource.com/category/free-resources/activities-games
YouthESource Website: youthesource.com

Guests in this episode:

With three decades of service in the LCMS, Signe White is a seasoned ministry leader whose passion for the outdoors and leadership development has shaped her role as Executive Director of Camp Perkins, a thriving outdoors ministry and conference center. Signe blends her passion for nature and outdoor play with her focus on fostering and empowering new leaders through visionary guidance and strategic leadership, both within the organization and the wider church community.

Ellie "Frisbee" Lutz has been a camp professional for 13 years and also served as a church youth leader for 2 years. She has led programs at camps in Wisconsin, Idaho, and her current location, Lakeview Ministries in southern Indiana. Her camp nickname is "Frisbee" because (as she tells the kids) she's fun to play with and good at spinning in circles.

Keith Peters served in various Christian camp ministries and in a parish ministry, prior to joining Lutherhaven’s team as the Director of Summer and Youth Ministry in 2021. During summers at Camp Lutherhoma throughout high school and college he was privileged to learn game leading and has been training others to lead games for two decades. His other interests include teaching adult bible study classes, logging miles either by running or cycling, and drinking good coffee.

Starter Pack 2.0 - Building Community and Belonging

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:45:00 -0500

DCE Jeremy Becker joins Julianna and Mark for a conversation about how youth leaders can foster community and relationships that build belonging in their youth ministry.

Bio: Jeremy Becker is a Director of Christian Education with over 24 years. He currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, Florida before that, he served at Concordia Lutheran in Kirkwood, Missouri. He was recently awarded the Master DCE award from the National Association of DCEs. He is married to Kristin and has two daughters.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#122. LCMS Youth Gathering – Getting Started for the 25 Gathering

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:45:00 -0600

It’s time to start planning for the 2025 Youth Gathering! Mark and Julianna talk about things to consider as you begin to prepare your congregation, youth, parents and other adults for the Gathering.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#121. Starter Pack 2.0 - Child Safety and Risk Management

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:45:00 -0600

The next episode in our second starter pack discusses child safety and risk management. Mark and Julianna talk about what can go wrong and how you can prepare to keep youth and adults safe and healthy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com
Ministry Safe: ministrysafe.com/lcms
LCMS Page on Child Abuse/Safety: lcms.org/social-issues/child-abuse

#120. Starter Pack 2.0 - Communication

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 10:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna are starting a new series of podcasts for those who are starting out in youth ministry. For the first episode, we invite LCMS Youth Ministry Communications Specialist Meredith Smith to discuss communications.

Meredith Smith is the communications specialist for LCMS Youth Ministry, communicating about everything we do at LCMS Youth Ministry, including the Gathering. She is a Houston native, a graduate of Texas A&M, and is married to Pastor Alex Smith.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#119. LCMS Youth Gathering – 2025 Theme Reveal

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:45:00 -0500

We are excited to be revealing the theme “Endure” for the upcoming 2025 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the theme, the passages of Hebrews we will focus on and more about our theological paper.

Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Student Life at Concordia Seminary here in St. Louis. He served a congregation in Minnesota before coming to the Seminary. Peter has served on our Theological Advisory Team for several Gatherings and wrote our thematic paper.

#118. Heart of a Servant 2023

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:45:00 -0500

Service work is a key component of a healthy youth ministry. Service on longer, intensive weeks like servant events or mission trips give youth a chance to live out their faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and build relationships that keep them tied to their congregation. LCMS Youth Ministry has supported LCMS Servant Events for over 40 years and today we hear more about their benefits to young people, those who serve alongside them, and those they serve in the name of Christ.

Resources for Servant Events:

LCMS Servant Events - lcms.org/servantevents
Event Listing - lcms-servantevents.org
Service Resources - youthesource.com/service

Bio: Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minnesota hosts an LCMS Servant Event called Heart of a Servant. Two of the event leaders joined the podcast to discuss their event and why they love hosting young people from across the United States. Rev. Craig Bertram is Pastor at Lord of the Lakes and serves as the Event Coordinator for Heart of a Servant. Shelly Carlson has served as Youth and Education Director at Lord of the Lakes since 1991 and serves as the event’s Community Life Coordinator.

#117. Campus Ministry

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:45:00 -0500

College academic years have started across the country. This is a momentous time of transition for a freshman, and exciting times for upper classmen. A new living arrangement, a new schedule, new freedom, and new relationships all meet young people as they go from high school to their next academic adventure. Campus Ministries and home congregations provide ongoing prayer and support for their walk with Jesus. In this episode, we hear how parents and supportive adults provide this care for students they love.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and LCMS Campus Ministry at lcms.org/lcmsu.

Bio: Ron DuPree is a DCE who serves as the Director of Youth and College Ministries at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denton, Texas. Ron serves youth and families at the church as well as students at the University of North Texas, and Texas Woman’s University. Ron is a graduate of Concordia University Irvine, and a current graduate student at Concordia Irvine’s Townsend Institute for Executive Coaching and Consulting. When there is free time, he enjoys restoring an old Corvette, motorcycle riding and dirt biking and most importantly spending time with his children and grandchildren.

#116. Exploring 40 End Goals: Forming Baptismal Identity

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 08:45:00 -0500

One of the biggest struggles we know are a part of adolescence, especially today, is identity formation. We talk with DCE Cassie Moore about how youth ministry can play a role in helping form an identity in Christ and about her recent study on identity.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Cassie Moore is an author, international speaker, and leadership consultant with 15 years of experience as a Director of Christian Education in Lutheran churches and schools, including multi-site ministries. She’s author of Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Working with Kids, Teens & In-Betweens, contributor for Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry, and the upcoming Jesus' Survival Kit for Young Women. Having grown up in Illinois and Minnesota, Cassie received her undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California, and is currently finishing her master’s degree in organizational leadership from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University, Irvine. In her free time, Cassie loves dogs, chatting with friends over coffee, hiking and kayaking, and travel with her husband, Tyler.

Apologetic Topics (Part 2): Worldviews and Philosophies

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 08:45:00 -0500

We conclude our short series on Christian Apologetics, inviting Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox to give insight to worldviews and philosophies faced by Christians.

Resources in this episode:

YouthESource Website — youthesource.com
Brad Alles’ Resource Website — bradalles.com
“Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) — youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope
Life’s Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles — cph.org/lifes-big-questions-gods-big-answers
Starting at the End by Brad Alles — cph.org/starting-at-the-end
Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture by Gene Edward Veith — amazon.com/Postmodern-Times-Christian-Contemporary-Thought/dp/0891077685

Bios:

Dr. Brad Alles is an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin. He is a frequent Bible study teacher and speaker at local, state and national youth gatherings, as well as youth worker, teacher, and pastor conferences.

Rev. Joe Cox is Campus Pastor and Director of Curriculum at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. He teaches English and Theology and coaches the school’s mock trial teams.

#114. Apologetic Topics (Part 1) - Questions We Face

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:45:00 -0500

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics with guests Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox. In this episode we tackle a few questions raised by those inside and outside of the faith. Our guests give insight to answers to defend the faith and share it with others.

Bios:

Rev. Joe Cox is Campus Pastor and Director of Curriculum at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. He teaches English and Theology and coaches the school’s mock trial teams.

Resources from this episode:

The LCMS Youth Ministry resource website youthesource.com
“Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) - youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope
Brad Alles’ Resource Website – bradalles.com
Life’s Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles – cph.org/lifes-big-questions-gods-big-answers
Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell – amazon.com/Evidence-That-Demands-Verdict-Life-Changing/dp/1401676707
History, Law, and Christianity by John Warwick Montgomery – amazon.com/History-Christianity-John-Warwick-Montgomery/dp/1945500018

#113. The Role of Apologetics

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:45:00 -0500

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics, exploring the role of Apologetics in Christian education and youth ministry. Faith Spelbring, DCE, joins us to give insight and resources to equip young people to think critically about the intersection of faith and life and witnessing to others.

Resources in this episode:

Life's Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles cph.org/lifes-big-questions-gods-big-answers
The Defense Never Rests by Craig Parton cph.org/the-defense-never-rests-second-edition

Bio: Faith Spelbring, DCE, lives with her husband Chris, and four children in Belleville, Illinois. Faith has a bachelor’s degree in religious education with a youth ministry emphasis from Concordia University –Irvine. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Christian Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#112. Understanding Christian Worldview

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 10:45:00 -0500

We start a short series on Christian Apologetics, starting with the basics of Christian Worldview. Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox join us to give resources to develop our worldview grounded in God’s Word and truth.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

“Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) - youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope/
Brad Alles’ Resource Website – bradalles.com
Summit Ministries – summit.org
Answers in Genesis – answeresingenesis.og

Bios: Dr. Brad Alles is an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin. He is a frequent Bible study teacher and speaker at local, state and national youth gatherings, as well as youth worker, teacher, and pastor conferences.

Rev. Joe Cox is Campus Pastor and Director of Curriculum at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. He teaches English and Theology and coaches the school’s mock trial teams.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#111. YouthLead and Supporting Teen Leaders

Tue, 16 May 2023 10:45:00 -0500

Members of the YouthLead Executive Team, teens elected to serve the program for a three year term, join Mark and Julianna in talking about how to support teen leaders and what they enjoy about being young leaders themselves

Bios: Reagan Martens, Austin Barber, and Adam Beadle are representatives from the YouthLead Executive Team. This team is elected by their peers to serve for three years. They provide leadership and direction to the YouthLead program and serve as leaders during our YouthLead training.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#110. Supporting International Missions

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:45:00 -0500

Part of our 40 End Goals talks about how we engage and support in service and mission locally and across the globe. Rev. Mark Rabe and Erin Alter from the LCMS Office of International Mission join us to talk about how youth leaders can explore these topics and support current and future missionaries.

Find the LCMS Office of International Mission at international.lcms.org, Missions Unpacked at international.lcms.org/missions-unpacked, and the Five Minutes with a Missionary Podcast at kfuo.org/category/missionary-podcast.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bios: Rev. Dr. Mark A. Rabe is the director of recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission. Rabe served from 2015–2021 as an LCMS missionary and theological educator at Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Erin Alter is the director of short-term missions for the LCMS Office of International Mission.

#109. Exploring the 40 End Goals - God’s Story, My Story

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 10:45:00 -0500

Both in the 2022 Gathering Theological paper and in the Seven Practices we talk about the importance of telling personal stories, but especially God’s story. Julianna and Mark talk to Pastor Ted Doering about his study that dives into God’s story and our story.

Bio: Rev. Ted Doering is the pastor at Narrative Church, an LCMS church plant in Williamson County, Texas, just north of Austin. He is blessed to be married to Chelsey, who works as the hospitality coordinator for TX district. Ted enjoys spending his free time with friends over a good meal, sampling the many local forms of breakfast tacos and BBQ, hiking in the Texas Hill Country, catching a movie, and cheering for all forms of professional Houston sports teams.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#108. Difficult Conversations: Gender and Sexuality

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:45:00 -0500

In our last episode on difficult conversations, Pastor Jonathan and Christa Petzold help us think about how to approach issues of gender and sexuality in our youth ministry.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Rev. Jonathan Petzold holds an MDiv from Concordia Seminary St. Louis. He serves as Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Roselle, Illinois. Christa Petzold holds an MA in Theology from Concordia University Irvine and a degree in Mathematics and Lutheran Secondary Education from Concordia University Wisconsin. She works as a stay-at-home mother, homeschooling their four children. Jonathan and Christa have been married since 2010 and enjoy learning and teaching God's Word together. They also love coffee, Star Wars, traveling, and quiet evenings at home. Between them, they have authored multiple books and blogs and one that we want to highlight is Male and Female: Embracing Your Role in God’s Design, published by Concordia Publishing House.

#107. Exploring the 40 End Goals: Vocation for What’s Next

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:45:00 -0600

We are highlighting a second study in this year after the Gathering on Vocation. DCE Amanda Jahnke joins us to talk about vocation with teens now and in the future.

Bio: Amanda Jahnke is a DCE currently serving Concordia Preparatory School in Townsend, Maryland. She previously served at St. Paul in Fort Worth, TX. She received her undergrad and graduate degree in Family Sciences from Concordia St. Paul.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#106. Difficult Conversations: Suicide

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:45:00 -0600

Suicide is not easy to talk about in your youth ministry, but it is necessary as it is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-24. Megan Miessler, LCSW, joins us to talk about how we can approach this topic well and care for young people who may experience crisis around suicide. Find the Columbia Protocol App at apps.apple.com/us/app/columbia-protocol/id1450966911 and Mental Health First Aid at mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or mental distress, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

Bio: Megan Miessler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Megan began working with children and youth as a DCE in the Lutheran Church. She received her MSW from University of Central Florida and her DCE from Concordia St. Paul. Megan works with children and families and focuses on play therapy, depression, Anxiety, Crisis Intervention, School Counseling and Marriage Therapy.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#105. Exploring the 40 End Goals: Life In All Things

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:45:00 -0600

Deaconess Emma Heinz and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor join Mark and Julianna to talk about how we approach life issues in youth ministry and teach a full theology of life in all things to our youth. Find LCMS Life Ministry resources at lcmslife.org and life resources on the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com/life.

Bio: Deaconess Emma Heinz lives in St. Louis and is married to Seminarian Ben Heinz. She has served as a Deaconess intern in the Office of National Mission, including helping with the LCMS Gathering registration. She currently serves as registrar for Higher Things and in her spare time likes to read and write.

Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor serves as director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry. After a first career in marketing, she received an M.A. from Concordia Theological Seminary and earned a doctorate from Bethel University. She is married to Rev. Jonathan Manor, and they have five children and two grandchildren.

#104. Difficult Conversations: Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna continue the series on challenging issues you might face in youth ministry. Rev. Brian Earl joins them to talk about ministering in the face of drug and substance use and addiction.

Bio: Rev. Brian Earl is a board-certified chaplain currently serving in mental health populations at the Raymond G Murphy Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM since 2019. Before that Brian completed a VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment at the West Haven, CT VA. Brian is an ordained LCMS Pastor and before being called to chaplaincy in 2015, Brian served as a parish pastor in Nebraska. He and his wife Christa have three children and two cats.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#103. Exploring the 40 End Goals: In the Midst of Difficult Times

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:45:00 -0600

Our next study in the 40 End Goals series helps us to think about how we navigate difficult times with humble confidence and teach youth to do the same. Pastor Brandon Metcalf joins us to talk about his study and how we can support teens regardless of what challenges they face.

Bio: Rev. Brandon Metcalf serves as Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois. Brandon has a degree from Concordia University Nebraska and served as a Director of Christian Education in Missouri before entering the Seminary. Brandon loves any chance to work with God’s people to help them hold onto the promises of God. Along with “Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry” and youthesource.com, he is a contributing author to “Word of Strength and Promise: Devotions for Youth” and has spoken at district and national youth gatherings. He enjoys Frisbee, volleyball, and board games but his greatest joys come from being a husband and father.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#102. Hear about LCMS Servant Events

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:45:00 -0600

LCMS Servant Events have supported youth and adults in learning that serving others can make a difference because of Jesus Christ for more than 35 years. In this episode, our Servant Event Committee joins us to talk about how these servant events across the country.

Guests in this episode:

Rev. Barry Akers — Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI
Shelly Carlson — Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, MN
Joe Palinkas — Zion Lutheran Church, Painesville, OH
Randy Ronning, DCE — Trinity Lutheran Church, Richmond, VA
Leah Sallach — Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and LCMS Youth Ministry at lcms.org/youth.

#101. Exploring the 40 End Goals – Sabbath and Rest

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:45:00 -0600

As we continue to highlight the studies around the 40 End Goals, Mark and Julianna talk to DCE Bekah Freed about her study and devotions on Sabbath and rest.

Bio: Bekah Freed is Kansas-grown girl who now lives in cornfields of Nebraska (with a 9-year stop in Buffalo, NY). She currently serves the students of Concordia University, Nebraska as the Director in the Student Life Office and loves helping youth and young adults know how much Jesus loves them. (Hint: It’s a lot!) She is a Director of Christian Education (DCE) and has a master's degree in Discipleship in the context of Trauma and Crisis Response. She enjoys kayaking, conversations about things that matter, fresh-baked cookies, traveling, a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter day, hugs from her nieces, hiking, and celebrating the everyday blessings in life.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

100th Episode Special

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna celebrate 100 episodes of End Goals Podcast by letting the listeners turn the tables and answering their questions. We are so thankful for your support these last three years.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#099. Difficult Conversations: Bullying

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Bullying is not anything new, and youth ministries have had to deal with it many times over and in various ways. Today, much of the bullying happens not face to face but online. Kari Smith joins us to talk about how to prevent and approach this issue.

Bio: Kari Smith has been a teacher, youth leader, and now works with Lutheran Family Service as Congregational Services and Adoption Case Work. She graduated from Concordia Nebraska. She lives in Iowa with her husband of 22 years and is a mom of four.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#098. Exploring the 40 End Goals - Vocation

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 10:45:00 -0500

We all have roles, responsibilities, and relationships where God uses us to serve others and share the Gospel. Pastor Andrew Jones joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the importance to teaching about vocation.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Andrew R. Jones lives in the Bay Area of California where he enjoys writing, hiking, and adventures with his wife, Stephanie. He has served the church on three continents in varying roles including campus ministry, international mission work, professor of preaching, and parish pastor. His writings speak to the importance of spiritual disciplines in the midst of a hectic world.

#097. Difficult Conversations: Anxiety and Depression

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 10:45:00 -0500

This Fall we are taking on some important, but difficult topics for teens that might be tough for youth leaders to approach. In this episode, we talk with Jayme Nichols about how we can prepare to care and support youth who are impacted by depression and anxiety.

Bio: DCE Jayme Nichols is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the Austin, TX area. Before becoming a counselor, she served in youth ministry for 18 years. Jayme and her husband, Kobi, grew up in Saginaw, MI and met at Valley Lutheran High School. They have been married 13 years and have three children: Isaac (10), Carrington (9), and Jeremiah (5). In their down time, the Nichols’ enjoy watching Michigan football, Tigers baseball, and Red Wing hockey.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#096. Exploring the 40 End Goals - Fostering Humble Confidence

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Both the 7 Practices and the 40 End Goals use the term “Humble Confidence” but what does that mean? Join Mark and Julianna in a discussion with Rev. Trevor Sutton about his study on Humble Confidence available on YouthESource right now.

Bio: Rev. Trevor Sutton is a senior pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. He is also a PhD candidate at Concordia Seminary and teaches in the digital humanities graduate program at Concordia Ann Arbor. His most recent books include Redeeming Technology and Clearly Christian: Following Jesus in This Age of Confusion. Sutton’s writing on technology has appeared in The Washington Post, Religion News Service, The Lutheran Witness, The Christian Century and elsewhere.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#095. Exploring the 40 End Goals – Christian Community

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Our 40 Teaching End Goals are a part of our 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry and our Bible studies on the YouthESource for the next year will explore those End Goals. In this episode we look at the first of those Bible studies and devotions by talking about Christian Community with author Cassie Schermbeck.

Bio: Cassie Schermbeck is a DCE in Centennial, CO, and has served in youth ministry for more than twenty years. She went to Concordia University Nebraska and received her MA in Youth and Family Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She and her husband Tim have two kids in elementary school. Cassie loves teenagers, speaking, listening, the Spurs, the Cubs, reading, swimming, triathlons and worshiping Jesus.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#094. Crossover Episode with Friends for Life: Serving the Younger Generation

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Join us for a special crossover episode with Friends for Life! Host Stephanie Neugebauer talked with us about the importance of intergenerational relationships, particularly with older generations honoring and serving the younger generation. As we think about the life of the church, how we care for pre-teens, teens, and young adults is a part of how we engage and value God’s people in every aspect of life. Find the Friends for Life Podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

About Friends for Life:

We believe that God is the author and sustainer of all life. We also know it can be hard to speak about the intrinsic value of that life when it feels like the world is trying to drown us out.

We’re right here beside you. In this podcast of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry, we’re coming alongside one another as a community of Christ’s redeemed people, ones who are speaking up for and living out the sanctity of human life. Together we’ll explore life issues in a way that honors our heavenly Father’s value of human life, serves our neighbor, and connects us to others who are doing the same. Join us, so that together we can be friends for life.

Learn about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life, and email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org.

#093. Gathering Finishing Pack – Between Now and 2025

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Even though you may still be sharing your 2022 Gathering experience, our team is already well at work on the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Hear a little bit about what happens between Gatherings and ways you can stay connected to us. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#092. Gathering Finishing Pack – Staff Reflections on LCMS Youth Gathering 2022

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Now that we have experienced the LCMS Youth Gathering, we checked in with the staff of LCMS Youth Ministry to hear their reflections on the event. The staff works hard for years to make the Gathering possible and have a unique perspective of where God was at work in Houston. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#091. Gathering Finishing Pack – Impact of the Gathering

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:45:00 -0500

LCMS Youth Gathering participants can be noticeable with their matching shirts and backpacks. More than just being seen, God can use Gathering participants to leave an impact on the city and those residents they come into contact with. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#090. Gathering Finishing Pack – LCMS Youth Gathering Beyond the Five Days

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna talk about how the Gathering can help your youth ministry beyond the five days of the event. We pray it can help spur ministry for the next three years and beyond. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#089. Gathering Finishing Pack - Sharing the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 10:45:00 -0500

We know you are exhausted and just looking for a little rest. But in the first in our Gathering Finishing Pack series, we will talk about how you might think about sharing your group’s experience at the 2022 Youth Gathering back home. This also has a special segment for pastors on the theme: In All Things! Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#088. Mostly Live at the Gathering

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 10:45:00 -0500

We have finally made it to Houston for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering. Join Mark and Julianna on the Interactive Floor as they talk about their experiences and give thanks for what is happening at the Gathering. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

LCMS Gathering Planning for “What if...?”

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 10:45:00 -0500

While we hope that every part of your LCMS Youth Gathering experience goes perfectly, we know that you want to plan for all the contingencies. This podcast will cover some of the big “What if” questions so you can hear about some of the plans and supports we have in place for you. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#086. LCMS Gathering Hotels and Transportation Tips

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 10:45:00 -0500

We know that hotels and transportation aren’t necessarily glamorous, but they are necessary. Krista Miller and Dean Luker join us to talk about key things to know about both pieces as a part of your Youth Gathering experience. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bios: Krista Miller is LCMS Youth Ministry’s Associate Director, Gathering Registrar and Operations. She has served LCMS Youth Ministry for almost 23 years. Dean Luker is a volunteer on our planning teams to direct the shuttling team. This is Dean’s seventh Gathering serving in this role.

#085. LCMS Gathering Reveals and Recaps

Tue, 24 May 2022 10:45:00 -0500

The 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering is coming soon and we are excited to be sharing new information about everything you and your youth will experience. This podcast will review the reveals from last week and give a few tips and recaps for you as you prepare for the Gathering. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#084. Transitioning Youth to College and Beyond

Tue, 10 May 2022 10:45:00 -0500

It’s the time of year as we plan for high school and college graduations! Mark and Julianna invited Pastor Jay Winter to talk about campus ministry and transitioning young people into next steps in college.

Bio: Pastor Jay Winters has served University Lutheran in Tallahassee since 2007. He grew up on the mission field as the son of a missionary in the Philippines where he lived until he was almost 13. Pastor Jay got his undergraduate degree at Concordia University – Nebraska, and moved on to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis MO. It was while he was at Concordia Seminary that Pastor Jay began to become interested in campus ministry work. This led him to be able to take a vicarage (internship) assignment at First Lutheran in Gainesville, FL – the campus ministry to the campus of the University of Florida. After completing his time at Concordia Seminary, Pastor Jay was called to University Lutheran in Tallahassee. While in Gainesville, Pastor Jay met his wife, Liz. They have three daughters together, Cricket Belle, Tempest Jane, and Willow Ann.

Find LCMS Campus Ministry (LCMSU) at lcms.org/lcmsu. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#083. Parents as Youth Leader

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 10:45:00 -0500

In the final episode of our series on parents, we talk with DCE Jeremy Becker to discuss the unique benefits and strains when a parent serves as a youth ministry leader.

Bio: Jeremy Becker graduated from Concordia University in Chicago as a DCE. He served at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood and currently serves at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, Florida. He is married to Kristin Becker and has two daughters, Mikayla and Natalie. They enjoy running marathons, going to Disney, and watching movies together!

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#082: Listening Skills for Parents and Youth Leaders

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Many parents and youth leaders want to be positive, Christ centered mentors and have solid listening skills. Mark and Julianna talk with DCE Darcy Paape on her experience and recent development of curriculum that can help both youth leaders and parents do just that.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Darcy Paape has 20 years of experience working with emerging young adult leaders in high school, church, and university settings. She is passionate about creating programming that is practical, interactive, and cross-generational and using it to support emerging leaders in the church and workplace. Currently, she serves at Concordia University Wisconsin as Director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, Adjunct Interpersonal Communication Instructor, and member of the Campus Ministry Team. As Director she oversees a variety of volunteer work teams to fulfill the institute’s mission to educate, encourage, and embolden women in exemplary Christian leadership. The Women’s Leadership Institute provides in-person events, leadership articles, an online academy, and a speaker’s bureau. In her campus ministry role, Darcy serves as a mentor and advisor for a variety of student ministry groups and works very closely with the young women’s ministry on Concordia Wisconsin’s campus. Darcy lives in Grafton, Wisconsin with her husband Adam, two daughters, and one delightful full-size doodle

Spiritual Vibrant Households

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Young people don’t just have parents or guardians; they come from full households that all look different. Talk about how to help foster spiritually vibrant Households of Faith is Rev. Jason Broge of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Find their resources at lhm.org/households.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Rev. Jason Broge is the Director, Design & Development for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Jason joined the Lutheran Hour Ministries team in April of 2018 as the associate director of design and development. Prior to serving at LHM, Broge spent seven years in curriculum design and development at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He also served as an adjunct instructor on classes on topics such as teaching the faith, confirmation, Christianity in the postmodern age, and the emerging church. He has a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, and a Ph.D. in education from Saint Louis University. Jason and his wife Mary Jane reside in St. Louis, MO, with their four children.

#080: Working with Parents

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:45:00 -0500

Adolescence is an important part of development. Youth ministry and parents can work together to help young people navigate through this potentially tumultuous time. In this episode, DCE Tim Rippstein helps us talk about how youth ministry leaders can work with parents.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Tim Rippstein is a DCE who serves St. John’s Lutheran in Seward, NE. He has served as a missionary in Japan, and as a DCE in Reno, NV, and Portland, OR. Tim has been on the faculties at Concordia Chicago and Concordia Nebraska teaching DCE courses and theology. He contributed a chapter of Connected for Life. He is married to Kathy and they have two grown kids.

LCMS Youth Gathering – Service and Leadership Opportunities

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:45:00 -0600

Planning for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering is in full swing. Hear more about the volunteers and the service opportunities that will happen at the Gathering from our fantastic volunteer planners.

Bios: Lindsey Schmidt is a DCE who serves as Director of Youth Ministry at Woodbury Lutheran Church. She also serves as the Director of Volunteer Management for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering. She lives in the Twin Cities and is married to Tad.

Jen Hall is a DCE who has served as Director of Family Ministry at Golden Valley Lutheran for 25 years. She is a mom and grandma. She is currently serving on our servant event planning team.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#078: Partnering with Parents

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 10:45:00 -0600

In our series on parents, we are talking to practitioners like DCE Blake Brockman about how to partner well with parents in youth ministry.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: DCE Blake Brockman. Blake is the Director of Youth & Family Ministries at Peace Lutheran in Antigo, WI. He writes for YouthESource regularly and presented about engaged parents at the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference this past summer. He loves his wife Hannah, sports, and being creative with writing and his YouTube channel. Blake loves to learn and teach practical ways to walk with God.

#077: Encouraging Engaged Parents

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 09:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna set some groundwork for our upcoming series on parents in Youth Ministry. They talk about how critical engaged parents are and how partnering with them can benefit both teens and your ministry.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and Gathering Resources at lcmsgathering.com/resources.

#076: Encouraging Church Work Careers

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 10:45:00 -0600

Most adults who are now serving in professional church work can point back to supportive adults and parents who encouraged them to consider that career track. In this episode, Rev. Dr. James Baneck talks about who and how to encourage young people who may be a good fit for church work.

Bio: Rev. Dr. James Baneck is the executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education. In this role, he encourages the spiritual, character, confessional, physical, emotional and intellectual development of LCMS pastors and other church workers. He and his wife, Myrna, live in St. Louis and are blessed with four grown children and five grandchildren.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#075: LCMS Youth Gathering – A Day at the Gathering

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:45:00 -0600

As you prepare for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering in Houston, hear about all the locations, transportation, food and programming each day along with tips and tricks to help you make the experience awesome for your participants.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#074: What does engaging Youth to Service and Leadership Look Like?

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 10:45:00 -0600

We have talked about opportunities to serve and lead before, but today we dive deeper with DCE Pete Hiller. We will hear how he provides these key opportunities for young people and families in his church.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: DCE Peter Hiller serves in the area of Youth and Family Ministry at Family of Christ Lutheran in Ham Lake, MN. Yes, there is actually a lake in the city that looks like a ham. Pete is a 30 year veteran working in Youth Ministry and is passionate about engaging students in meaningful service. Pete and his DCE wife Mary have three grown daughters who also serve as educators.

#073: Mentoring Young Leaders

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna pull from experience with YouthLead (previously Lutheran Youth Fellowship) and what they have learned from research and talking with practitioners about mentoring and supporting young leaders.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#072: Equipping Youth to Witness

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:45:00 -0600

Many young people in Gen Z who do not claim any religious affiliation and our culture can make it challenging for Christian teens to share their faith in Jesus. Jessica Bordeleau joins us to talk about how to encourage youth to witness in their every day lives.

Bio: Jessica Bordeleau has spent the last 15 years in Christian media production. She has worked as the creative producer of video based resources for LCMS Youth Ministry she was artistic producer and co-host of 100 episodes of Speaking of Jesus, a weekly podcast from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Her devotional writing and Christian educational resources have been published by Christ To All Publishing, Concordia Publishing House, and LCMS Youth Ministry. Jessica holds a BA in Education and MA in Systematic Theology. She is passionate about developing creative ways to share the love of Christ.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#071: Encouraging Youth to Discover their Vocations

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:45:00 -0600

Every young person has a variety of roles and responsibilities where they are God’s hands and feet. Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Cassie Moore to discuss how helping youth to understand and grow into those vocations is one of key things healthy youth ministry can do.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Cassie Moore is an author, speaker, and Director of Next Gen Ministries at St. Mark Lutheran Church & School in Houston, Texas. She’s author of “Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Working with Kids, Teens & In-Betweens”, contributor for “Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry”, and an upcoming historical fiction series. She grew up in Illinois & Minnesota, has a degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California, has worked on national & district youth gatherings, and enjoys speaking nationally. She loves observing culture, travel, & talking to strangers. She and her husband, Pastor Tyler, have two dogs.

#070: LCMS Youth Gathering - Update with LCEF and District Coordinators

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:30:00 -0500

As you prepare for the 2022 Youth Gathering in Houston, we want to support you by introducing you to some of our fantastic partners. In this episode we will talk with Scott Guenther, manager of the District Coordinators, and Rehema Kavugha, Synod Relations Manager for Lutheran Church Extension Fund.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Scott Guenther is a rostered Lutheran teacher who taught in Lutheran High schools for 15 years. He served as a Director of Youth Ministries for another 15 years and now serves as Director of Digital Ministries at Messiah in Lincoln. He also serves on our planning team as the Manager of this District Coordinators.

Rehema Kavugha is Synod Relations Manager with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). She is a native of Houston and is a rostered Lutheran teacher who got her bachelors and MBA from Concordia Nebraska.

#069: Youth Ministry Context: Large Youth Ministry

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 10:30:00 -0500

The size of a youth ministry and congregation can change many aspects of programing and caring for the faith lives of teens. Pastor Leon Jameson joins Mark and Julianna talk about how large youth ministry can be healthy youth ministry and how that might look different from other sizes. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Pastor Leon Jameson is Associate Pastor of NextGen Ministries at Hales Corner Lutheran Church in Hales Corner, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. Leon served as a Director of Christian Education in large congregations in Wisconsin and Missouri, working mainly with families and youth. While serving in Missouri he started at Concordia Seminary to become an ordained minister and has since completed his studies. Leon grew up on the Denver, CO area (a Bronco fan), is a proud graduate of Concordia University Nebraska where he met his wonderful wife, Gretchen. They live in Milwaukee area with their two wonderful daughters.

#068: Youth Ministry Context: Small Youth Ministry

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Even the smallest youth ministries can be healthy and help young people become disciples for life. DCE Leah Abel joins Mark and Julianna in talking about the strengths and how God can work through small youth ministries. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Leah Abel is a Director of Christian Education who lives in Denver, Colorado. Leah graduated from Concordia University Nebraska and spent 11 years serving as a DCE in Florida and another six years serving youth and families in Colorado. She now serves as a Project Manager & Ministry Facilitator who serves events like the LCMS Youth Gathering and the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference as well as churches and church workers. Leah loves her husband, Scott, who is an LCMS pastor and their wonderful daughter, Amelia. Leah also loves great music, cooking, being outdoors, and a great cup of coffee.

#067: LCMS Youth Gathering – First Time Leaders

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 10:45:00 -0500

At the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference in 2021, we held a sectional specifically for first time leaders to the LCMS Youth Gathering. It went so well we invited DCE Annie Anderson to join us and share some of her insights for first time (and experienced) adult leaders!

Learn more about the LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com and find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Annie Anderson is a DCE from Mesa, Arizona, currently Called to Hosanna Lutheran Church. She’s been to 7 LCMS Youth Gatherings in a variety of roles (student, YAV, adult leader and Gathering Planner), and has experience leading groups to many local and regional gatherings. She has led big and small groups. She recently married her husband, Pastor Tim Anderson.

#066: Youth Ministry Context: Diversity

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:45:00 -0500

We can experience diversity and inclusivity in our communities, congregations and youth ministry in many areas of life from ethnic and cultural diversity to socio-economic, education diversity, to physical skills and abilities. Mark and Julianna talk with Ashley Paavola about how youth ministry can thrive when a church brings together a diverse group of young people.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Ashley Paavola has served youth and families for over 17 years of ministry. Ashley currently serves as the Youth & Family Director of All Nations Church, an LCMS church plant in University City, Missouri. Ashley met her husband, Chris, while serving together at Pathfinder Lutheran Church in Ellisville, Missouri. They have been married for 16 years and have five children.

#065: 2022 Gathering Registration

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:30:00 -0500

In preparation for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering, Mark and Julianna talk to Krista Miller, the registrar and operations manager for the Gathering. They talk about what registration for the upcoming Gathering will look like.

Bio: Joining us is Krista Miller. Krista serves as the Gathering Registrar and Operations Manager for the LCMS Youth Gathering. “In All Things” is her eighth Gathering. Before working for LCMS Youth Ministry, she worked in a number of medical and businesses positions. She lives in St. Louis with her husband, John, and they have two grown children and children-in-laws and two beautiful grandchildren.

#064: Youth Ministry Context: Urban

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Urban ministry can have its own unique challenges and joys. Join Mark and Julianna as we have a conversation with Heidi Lewis, DCE in urban south St. Louis. We will discuss the ways a setting in the city can impact youth ministry.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Join the LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry.

Bio: Heidi Lewis is a DCE serving in urban south St. Louis where they actively share the Light, Life and Hope of Jesus with their neighbors and community. Heid has unique and varied serving experiences in ministry: suburban large congregations, urban, urban re-vitalization and a church plant. Mostly she loves to hang out with people and love them, do creative projects and plant flowers (though keeping them alive has proved problematic). She is married to Pastor Dave Lewis and mom to a Skylar.

#063: Youth Ministry Context: Rural and Small Town

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:45:00 -0500

In the first of our series looking at different youth ministry contexts Mark and Julianna talk to Angela Kollbaum who has worked with rural youth and families for 25 years. She shares some of the joys and concerns of doing ministry in Rural and Small Town.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Join the LCMS Rural and Small Town Youth Workers Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/1038543456170629, and the LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry.

Bio: Angela Kollbaum has been working with rural youth and families for 25 years. Angela is currently serving as the DCE at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, NE and as a therapist in a local counseling agency. Angela received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Psychology in 1990 from Dana College. She also completed her Master's in Family Life Education and Ministry in 2011 from Concordia University-Nebraska. She most recently completed her Master’s in Theology with DCE certification from Concordia University-Irvine and a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Concordia University-Wisconsin. Angela is married to Pastor Todd Kollbaum and they count as their greatest blessings, being parents to five pretty amazing kids and grandparents of 3 amazing grandsons. Angela also finds great joy in relationships with countless other youth that are not her biological children.

#062: Thinking about Context in Youth Ministry

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna kick off a series on how context impacts youth ministry by talking about some key features of identifying the context of your youth ministry.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#061: At the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Over four hundred youth, adults, and ministry supporters attended the 2021 National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference in Houston. Participants and speakers from the conference join the podcast to discuss takeaways and highlights from the event. Learn more about the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference at lcmsgathering.com/national-2021. Find more information on YouthLead at lcms.org/youth-ministry/youthlead.

Guests:

Rev. Jacob Heine — Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas
Heather McCormick, DCE — Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas
Isaiah Duport — YouthLead Executive Team
Leah Abel, DCE — Denver, Colorado
Cassie Moore, DCE — St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas

#060: Connected for Life – Five Roles of a Youth Leader

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Being a youth leader means taking on many different roles depending on your youth’s needs and the situation. As we look at another chapter of Connected for Life, Mark and Julianna discuss key roles of the youth worker with Pastor AJ Mastic.

Bio: AJ Mastic is the Highlands Campus pastor at Renewal Church, a multi-site congregation in Denver, CO. He is a 2007 graduate of Concordia University Texas and previously served as a Director of Christian Education in Arkansas and Colorado. As a DCE at St. John’s Lutheran in Denver, he entered the Specific Ministry Pastor program with Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and has served as a pastor since 2013, planting Renewal Church in 2018. He is married to Megan and they have four young children.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and your copy of Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx.

#059: Gathering Starter Pack – Bringing the Gathering Home

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

The LCMS Youth Gathering is far more than the five days. We want the Gathering to be just one part of your ongoing healthy youth ministry. In our final episode of this starter pack we will talk about how to bring the Gathering home.

Bio: Alan Wunderlich is a rostered teacher in the LCMS and serves as Assistant Principal and Youth Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Washington, MO. He has taken numerous groups to the LCMS Youth Gathering and for the 2022 Gathering serves on the Adult Leader Support Team who has been working diligently to put together great resources for adult leaders planning to attend the LCMS Youth Gathering.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#058: Gathering Starter Pack – Self-Care for Adult Leaders

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

As adult leaders, it can be easy for our sole focus to be on our youth and their experience. But you and your adult leader team need to care for yourselves at the LCMS Youth Gathering. This episode will look at how adults can stay healthy and energized to make the most of their whole group’s time at the Gathering.

Bio: Anne Franklin has led youth groups to three LCMS Youth Gatherings as a lay leader at Our Father Lutheran in Centennial, CO. She now serves on the Adult Leader Resource Team.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#057: Gathering Starter Pack - Exploring Youth’s Unique Vocation

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

As we continue the Gathering Starter Pack, we are going to talk about how the many different program elements of the Gathering can help every young person explore their unique vocations.

Bio: Rhonda Palmersheim serves at Concordia University in St. Paul MN where she has held positions in admissions and university advancement over the last 20 years. NYG 2022 marks her sixth gathering experience. As a member of the Adult Leader Support Team Rhonda and her teammates strive to provide resources and mentorship to the thousands of adult youth workers and lay leaders that will be attending the gathering. Rhonda is married and has two teenage sons. They reside in Plymouth MN and have been lifelong members at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#056: Gathering Starter Pack – Connecting Parents to the Gathering

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Parents are important partners for your Gathering team! As you begin to plan, this episode of a Gathering Starter Pack is designed to help you think about how to work with and support parents as they play a critical role in the Gathering experience for their teens.

Bio: Amanda Jahnke is a DCE at St. Paul Lutheran in Fort Worth, TX. She is finishing a Masters in Family Science in Concordia St. Paul and is a certified parent coach. Amanda is a member of our 2022 Gathering Planning team working on Adult Leader Resources.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#055: Gathering Starter Pack – Handling Youth in Crisis at the Gathering

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

We pray congregational groups have a positive, healthy, and impactful experience at the Gathering. However, we know that during the Gathering a teen may experience or express a struggle or crisis. Rather than being reactionary, we hope this podcast will help all supportive adult leaders to prepare to care for young people in difficult experiences.

Guests:

Amanda Jahnke, DCE at St. Paul in Fort Worth, TX. Amanda is a member of our 2022 Gathering Planning team working on Adult Leader Resources.

Karen Merritt is a licensed professional counselor in TX and the school counselor at St. Paul Fort Worth.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#054: Gathering Starter Pack - Preparing Your Group

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 09:45:00 -0500

We have just over a year before the 2022 Gathering. The list for preparation is long, so Mark and Julianna talk you through some key things to do with guest DCE Annie Anderson.

Bio: DCE Annie Anderson is serving a congregation in the East Valley of Phoenix. 2022 will be her 8th Gathering and in this Gathering cycle she is serving as a planner on our Adult Leader Resource Team.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#053: Gathering Starter Pack - Traveling to Houston

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

The 2022 Gathering will bring us together in Houston. In the next part of our Gathering Starter Pack, we talk about traveling to the Gathering and highlights of the Houston area with Meredith Whitefield.

LCMS Gathering Online Resources:

LCMS Youth Gathering Website lcmsgathering.com
In All Things Adult Leader Resource, including Things to Do in Houston lcmsgathering.com/resources
LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Leader Group facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

#052: Gathering Starter Pack - Exploring In All Things

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:45:00 -0500

As we kick of the Gathering Starter Pack we will be looking into the theme: In All Things. We want all our planning to start with God’s Word and how your time connected to the Gathering can point young people to Jesus.

Learn more on the LCMS Youth Gathering website lcmsgathering.com. Read the In All Things Thematic Development Paper and Talking Points at lcmsgathering.com/resources. Find the Colossians Devotions at YouthESource at youthesource.com/2021/04/27/devotions-and-studies-in-colossians.

Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger Bio: After serving as a parish pastor for nine years, Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger teaches Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. With four children between ages 9-15, youth ministry is far from theoretical. Together as a family they enjoy camping, hiking, road trips, German board games, and reading the Chronicles of Narnia. Much to his children’s chagrin, he refused to dye his hair with them during quarantine.

Shelly Schwalm Bio: Shelly Schwalm, MFA, is a Director of Christian Education (DCE) who serves as University Ministry Associate at Concordia University, St. Paul in St. Paul, MN for the past 7 years, walking with college students through their developing life and faith. She is an alum of CSP and has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing. Shelly is part of the theological advisory team for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering and served on the Bible study team for the 2019 Gathering.

#051: Encouraging Youth Leaders

Tue, 18 May 2021 09:45:00 -0500

Youth ministry wouldn’t be possible without dedicated adult leaders who care for young people in their congregation. Dr. Jacob Youmans joins Mark and Julianna to talk about encouraging and supporting youth leaders. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com, and find Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx.

Bio: Dr. Jacob Youmans has served as a Youth and Family Minister in Hawaii and California, and in July 2009, he started as the Director of the DCE (Director of Christian Education) program at Concordia University Texas. Jake has led and served on mission teams to every continent except Antarctica, authored four books and has spoken to groups of students and adults all over the world. Most importantly, he's married to Christy, a teacher, artist and musician, and has two princesses, Maile who's 17 and Leilani who's 16.

#050: Building Community One Youth at a Time

Tue, 04 May 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna continue their series on the book Connected for Life with DCE Mark Cook. They discuss his chapter on building Christian community in youth ministry one teen at a time. Find Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Mark Cook is a graduate of Concordia Nebraska and is in his 12th year serving as DCE at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. He serves mainly in the areas of youth ministry, confirmation, and children’s ministry. He enjoys playing with his kids, music, camping, backpacking, and anything that involves being outdoors and going on adventures with his wife Libby and three children, Micah (4) and Karis (2) and baby on the way.

#049: Developing a Support System (Connected for Life)

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 10:45:00 -0500

We continue our series on topics from Connected for Life. In this episode, Dr. Deb Arfsten returns to talk about the importance of developing a support system for youth ministry in your congregation. This network of the church goes beyond volunteers and parents, and helps increase the focus of the family of God on the next generation.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Get your copy of Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx. Find Four Devotions for Ministry Teams at youthesource.com/2021/01/28/four-devotions-for-ministry-teams-encouragement-from-paul.

Bio: Dr. Debbie Arfsten is the professor of Christian Education, DCE Program Director, and Synodical Placement Director at Concordia Chicago. In addition to teaching and administration, she serves as coordinator of all field experiences including supervision of internships. Dr. Arfsten’s has a Ph.D. in leadership from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. She has also written for various publications on these same topics, most recently contributing a chapter to “Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry.” Dr. Arfsten has served the LCMS Youth Gathering since 1992, most recently as the manager for international participants. She also is currently serving as the chair of the wellness committee at the LCMS Northern Illinois District, and is part of the Ministerial Care Coalition of the LCMS.

#048: Community Youth Ministry

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 10:15:00 -0500

Our end goal of young people who are disciples of Jesus Christ for life is not exclusive to the young people who are already in our church. Mark and Julianna talk with Rev. Derek Broten about how to reach out with the Gospel in Community Focused Youth Ministry. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Get your copy of "Connected for Life" at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx.

Bio: Rev. Derek Broten served for 20 years as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) in Wichita, KS and Woodbury, MN and as a Campus Pastor at Woodbury Lutheran. Derek comes with a wealth of expertise from the congregation and has experience leading at the LCMS Youth Gathering and 14 different mission trips. He has also served on the staff of LCMS Youth Ministry.

#047: Introducing YouthLead

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:45:00 -0500

Young leaders are important to the heath of the church, but they need support and mentoring to be successful and stay Christ centered. For 40 years, LCMS Youth Ministry has equipped and trained young leaders through YouthLead. Hear more about the program and the value of young leaders in your church. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Learn more about YouthLead on the LCMS Youth Ministry homepage lcms.org/youth-ministry/youthlead and read about YouthLead in the LCMS Reporter at blogs.lcms.org/2020/meet-youthlead-lutheran-youth-fellowship-gets-new-name.

Joanna Shaw is from Millersville, MO, and is a freshman at Concordia Irvine studying to be a Lutheran teacher. She serves on YouthLead’s Executive Team representing the Central Region.

Ally Graves is from Cincinnati, OH, and is a freshman at Lipscomb University studying to become a dietitian. She currently serves on YouthLead’s Executive Team representing the Great Lakes Region.

#046: Strategic Planning for Youth Ministry

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 10:45:00 -0600

In our continued look at the authors in Connected for Life, Dr. Mark Blanke joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the importance of strategic planning for youth ministry including how young people can be engaged in service and leadership as a part of that process.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Dr. Mark Blanke is the DCE Program Director, Director of Strategic Planning and University Institutes, and Director of the Institute for Religious Education at Concordia University, Nebraska. He also teaches courses in confirmation ministry, adult education, leadership development and DCE practicum.

Dr. Blanke earned a B.S.Ed. and M.A. in Parish Education from Concordia Nebraska, as well as an M.S. in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University and an Ed.D. in Adult Education from Northern Illinois University.

Prior to coming to Concordia Nebraska in 1995, Blanke served as a DCE and Lutheran elementary school principal in California and taught at Concordia University Chicago.

#045: Getting Volunteers Involved in Ministry

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 10:45:00 -0600

In our continued series on topics from Connected for Life, we talk about the importance of recruiting, involving, and supporting volunteers in youth ministry. DCE and classroom instructor Darius “Bo” Chapman joins us to provide insight and wisdom from his experience of working alongside and learning from volunteers in ministry.

Find Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx.
Volunteer Longevity: youthesource.com/2018/10/23/volunteer-longevity
The Spiritual Care and Nurture of Volunteers: youthesource.com/2012/05/15/the-spiritual-care-and-nurture-of-volunteers
LCMS resources on Child Abuse Protection: lcms.org/social-issues/child-abuse
Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Dr. Darius “Bo” Chapman serves as a Theology teacher at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He received his DCE Certification from Concordia University Texas and also holds a Doctorate in Human Resource Development from the University of Texas at Tyler. Before teaching in Las Vegas, he served as the Director of Student Ministries at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Macomb, MI. He and his wife April have been married for 17 years and have two beautiful children.

He loves listening to music (especially 80's hair bands) and looks forward to attending concerts, travelling with his family once COVID is over, and enjoys ending the evening with a really good book.

#044: Teaching the Faith in Youth Ministry

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 10:45:00 -0600

In our continued series on topics from Connected for Life, we talk about the importance of teaching the faith in youth ministry. Vicar and DCE Brandon Metcalf joins us to talk about how our teaching tactics and focus can help us better share the Gospel and help form disciples for life.

Resources from this episode:

LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com.
Connected for Life: cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx
Brandon Metcalf Bible Study on Identity: youthesource.com/2020/07/21/bible-study-worth-dying-for/
CPH book on teaching the faith to all ages: Timeless Truth: cph.org/p-32551-timeless-truth-an-essential-guide-for-teaching-the-faith.aspx#productCollateral

Bio: Brandon Metcalf serves as Vicar at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois. He is a MDiv student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Brandon has a degree from Concordia University Nebraska and served as a Director of Christian Education in Missouri before entering the Seminary.

Brandon loves any chance to work with God’s people to help them hold onto the promises of God. Along with “Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry”, he is a contributing author to “Word of Strength and Promise: Devotions for Youth” and has spoken at district and national youth gatherings. He enjoys Frisbee, volleyball, and board games but his greatest joys come from being a husband and father.

#043: Developing a Philosophy of Youth Ministry

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:45:00 -0600

What does your congregation believe about ministry with young people in your context? Do your behaviors align with those beliefs? A philosophy of youth ministry helps you answer the “Why?” questions in your youth ministry and bring clarity and consistency to your ministry with young people. Dr. Heath Lewis focuses on his chapter in Connected for Life and gives brief introduction to the value of creating a philosophy of Youth Ministry. Find "Connected for Life" from Concordia Publishing House at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Dr. Heath Lewis serves at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In his role as Instructor of Christian Education and DCE Program Director, Heath teaches courses in the Christian Ministry major, supervises Director of Christian Education (DCE) and Director of Chrisian Outreach internships.

Prior to coming to Concordia University Lewis served as the Director of Discipleship at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he oversaw parish education, youth ministry, communication, and more for nearly 10 years. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences and a Certification as a Director of Christian Education from Concordia University Nebraska, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and just recently earned his Degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Drake University.

#042: Developing Philosophy of Christian Education in Youth Ministry

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:45:00 -0600

In our second episode with Dr. Dave Rueter, we will focus on his second chapter in "Connected for Life". We give a brief introduction to the value of creating a philosophy of Christian Education in a congregation. These conversations help you evaluate, assess, pivot and re-focus on Christian Education in your congregation. Find "Connected for Life" at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Dave Rueter is a DCE serving at Our Savior Lutheran in Livermore, CA. He has served previously at the Pacific Southwest District and at Concordia University Irvine. He has authored two books Teaching Faith in the Home and Called to Serve published by CPH. He also served on the LCMS research team and co-author Relationships Count. He also wrote chapters in Connected for Life, an Essential Guide to Youth Ministry also published by CPH.

#041: Faith Formation with Dr. Dave Rueter

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 10:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna are joined by Dr. Dave Rueter, author of two chapters in Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry. In this episode, we discuss strategies and theories for the faith formation of young people and how these can help us see the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Find Connected for Life at cph.org/p-31891-Connected-for-Life-Essential-Guide-to-Youth-Ministry.aspx.

Other resources in this episode:

Deeply Understand Baptismal Faith (on youthESource): youthesource.com/2019/07/02/deeply-understand-baptismal-faith-discussion-guide

Teaching the Faith at Home: What Does This Mean? How Is This Done? from CPH: cph.org/p-29611-teaching-the-faith-at-home-what-does-this-mean-how-is-this-done.aspx

Bio: Dave Rueter is a DCE serving at Our Savior Lutheran in Livermore, CA. He has served previously at the Pacific Southwest District and at Concordia University Irvine. He has authored two books Teaching Faith at Home and Called to Serve published by Concordia Publishing House. He also served on the LCMS research team and co-author Relationships Count. He also wrote chapters in Connected for Life, an Essential Guide to Youth Ministry also published by CPH.

#040: Being a Long-Term Leader in Times of Stress

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:45:00 -0600

For youth leaders to be around for the long-term, they need healthy balance. It’s is God pleasing when we prioritize our own spiritual practices, like worship, prayer, Bible reading, while also taking care of our bodies, their minds, and their many responsibilities. Deaconess Heidi Goehmann joins us to talk about how we care for ourselves as lay and professional youth leaders. Find all of Deaconess Heidi's work at heidigoehmann.com.

Additional resources:

Article on Finding the Right Mental Health Professional: blogs.lcms.org/2020/who-should-i-talk-to

Heidi’s Bible Study on Play: youthesource.com/2020/12/08/bible-study-series-the-power-of-play

LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com.

Bio: Heidi Goehmann is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health care provider, theologian, writer, and speaker. She received her bachelor's degree in theology and psychology from Concordia University Chicago, and her master's degree in social work from the University of Toledo with an emphasis on children, families, and social justice. Heidi can always be found at heidigoehmann.com, which provides resources and advocacy for mental health and genuine relationships. She is also a contributor to youthesource.com. Heidi loves her family, sticky notes, Jesus, adventure, Star Wars, Star Trek, and new ideas...not necessarily in that order.

#039: Addressing Conflict in Youth Ministry

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 10:45:00 -0600

Conflict impacts all congregations, including youth ministry. When conflict is handled well, it can build relationships, trust and be a good example to young people. When it isn’t, it can push young people away from the congregation. Rev. Marty Hasz joins us to talk about how to address conflict in your ministry.

Resources from this episode:

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.
Ambassadors of Reconciliation Resources at aorhope.org
Skits to use including youth: aorhope.org/search-results/q-youth
Trauma resources for those who work with youth: nctsn.org/audiences/youth
Suicide Prevention poster with 5 Action Steps: nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention

Bio: Rev. Marty Hasz, PLPC, serves as Assistant to the President of the Missouri District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. In his role he is a resource to support the health of Missouri District Church Workers and Congregations. A native of Indiana, Rev. Hasz served as a Director of Christian Education for 15 years before obtaining his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2012. Rev. Hasz also has a Master of Arts in mental health counseling and brings with him years of experience in counseling, reconciliation, and conflict management.

#038: Youth and Young Adult Poll from the 2019 Gathering

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:45:00 -0600

Mark and Julianna review the data that we receive every three years at the LCMS Youth Gathering. The youth, young adult, and adult polls all help us to understand more about the young people in our congregations over time. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#037: Research – Impact of Environment and Reaching Out

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 10:15:00 -0600

In our second session diving into LCMS Youth Ministry’s research, we dive into the 2017 review with LCMS congregations, their retention, and their relationships with Millennials. Mark and Julianna are joined by Ryan Curnutt, Senior Research Analyst at the LCMS, as they share findings and how they can benefit your youth ministry. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Find the book "Relationships Count" at cph.org/p-34106-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials-ebook-edition.aspx.

Bio: Ryan Curnutt is senior research analyst at LCMS Research Services. He has served the LCMS national office for 11 years. He was the lead researcher for the 2017 Millennials and the LCMS research. Ryan serves as the evaluator of the LCMS Youth Gathering and worked on other projects such as the LYF and Young Adult Volunteer poll. Ryan is married to Kristina with three daughters.

#036: Research – Unintentional Neglect and Prioritizing Gen Z

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:15:00 -0500

We continue diving into LCMS Youth Ministry’s 2017 research on Millennials and the LCMS. Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Dr. Kevin Borchers. We will talk about the ways that we found the church unintentionally neglected young people and how we can do differently to prioritize Gen Z in our churches now. Read Dr. Borcher’s Article on Unintentional Neglect at youthesource.com/2019/07/03/unintentional-neglect-keeping-track-of-a-generation. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and Relationships Count at cph.org/p-34106-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials-ebook-edition.aspx.

Bio: Dr. Borchers has been a member of the Concordia-Chicago faculty since 2008 teaching Christian education courses to students pursuing careers as professional church workers, particularly DCEs. Prior to his role at CUC, he served as a parish DCE for 27 years. He has a PhD in Organizational Leadership and a Masters in Family Life.

#035: Research— Power of Parents and Leadership

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:15:00 -0500

Mark and Julianna are joined by Dr. Dave Rueter, a member of the 2017 research team. We are going to be discussing what we found in our study about the impact of parents and leadership of youth, young people and church retention. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Get your copies of Relationships Count from Concordia Publishing House at cph.org/p-34106-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials-ebook-edition.aspx and Teaching the Faith at Home: What Does This Mean? How Is This Done? from Concordia Publishing House at cph.org/p-29611-teaching-the-faith-at-home-what-does-this-mean-how-is-this-done.aspx.

Bio: Dave Rueter is a DCE serving at Our Savior Lutheran in Livermore, CA. He has served previously at the Pacific Southwest District and at Concordia University Irvine. He has authored two books Teaching Faith in the Home and Called to Serve published by CPH. He also served on our research team and helped co-author Relationships Count.

#034: Research: Young Adult Survey and Focus Groups Review

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 10:45:00 -0500

We continue diving into LCMS Youth Ministry’s 2017 research on Millennials and the LCMS. Mark and Julianna are joined by Ryan Curnutt, Senior Research Analyst at the LCMS, as they share findings from the young adult survey and focus groups. These phases of research gave great insight into those who grew up in the LCMS as young adults. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.comand the book Relationships Count from Concordia Publishing House at cph.org/p-34106-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials-ebook-edition.aspx.

#033: Research: Congregational Study Review

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 13:15:00 -0500

In our second session diving into LCMS Youth Ministry’s research, we dive into the 2017 review with LCMS congregations, their retention, and their relationships with Millennials. Mark and Julianna are joined by Ryan Curnutt, Senior Research Analyst at the LCMS, as they share findings and how they can benefit your youth ministry. Find "Relationships Count" at cph.org/p-34082-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials.aspx. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#032: Research: How to Assess and Create Good Data

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 10:15:00 -0500

With the internet, data on every topic, including faith and youth ministry, is at your fingertips. Mark and Julianna are joined by Ryan Curnutt, Senior Research Analyst at the LCMS, to talk about how to assess, acquire, and use good data to help your ministry. This first session kicks off a series on our LCMS Youth Ministry research. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.comand the book Relationships Count from Concordia Publishing House at cph.org/p-34106-relationships-count-engaging-retaining-millennials-ebook-edition.aspx.

#031: 2022 Gathering Theme Release

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 10:15:00 -0500

The theme for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering has been announced. “In All Things” will focus on Christ’s relationship to all things in our lives and world. LCMS Youth Ministry staff, Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger, and Sarah Salzberg discuss the process for selecting the theme and set the thematic and theological foundation found in Colossians. Find all things LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com and the Law and Gospel Primer at youthesource.com/2019/03/07/a-law-and-gospel-primer.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger

After serving as a parish pastor for nine years, Peter Nafzger teaches Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. With four children between ages 9-15, youth ministry is far from theoretical. Together as a family they enjoy camping, hiking, road trips, German board games, and reading the Chronicles of Narnia. Much to his children’s chagrin, he refused to dye his hair with them during quarantine.

Bio: Sarah Salzberg

Sarah Salzberg lives in Los Angeles and serves as an Old Testament theology teacher at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, CA. She earned her BS in Education with concentrations in Theology and English from Concordia University, Nebraska and Masters of Arts in Theology from Concordia University in Irvine. In addition to her classroom, she also teaches as a speaker in the LCMS for a variety of ministry contexts.

#030: 2019 Gathering Look Back

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 10:15:00 -0500

It’s been just a year since the 2019 LCMS Youth Gathering. The LCMS Youth Ministry staff is taking this chance to reflect back on how God worked through the event and what impacts are still felt today. Learn more about the LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.

#029: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Engaging and Supporter Young Leaders

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 11:15:00 -0500

In the final episode of the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna talk about how you can engage and support young leaders in your youth ministry and the church. We know that young leaders benefit the church in many ways, and youth ministry can be a key place for opportunities and mentoring. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#028: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Developing Congregational Support

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:15:00 -0500

In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna talk with Dr. Debbie Arfsten about how to develop congregational support for youth ministry. Youth ministry doesn’t happen on its own; it’s a part of the bigger work God is doing in your congregation. Developing support from leaders, families, and other members of the congregation helps develop a healthier overall ministry for your teens. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and learn more about Concordia University Chicago at cuchicago.edu.

Bio: Dr. Debbie Arfsten is the professor of Christian Education, DCE Program Director, and Synodical Placement Director at Concordia Chicago. In addition to teaching and administration, she serves as coordinator of all field experiences including supervision of internships. Dr. Arfsten’s has a Ph.D. in leadership from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. She has also written for various publications on these same topics, most recently contributing a chapter to “Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry.” Dr. Arfsten has served the LCMS National Youth Gathering since 1992, most recently as the manager for international participants. She also is currently serving as the chair of the wellness committee at the LCMS Northern Illinois District, and is part of the Ministerial Care Coalition of the LCMS.

#027: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Social Media

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 12:30:00 -0500

TikTok, Twitter, and more! Social Media can be overwhelming but necessary to connect with your youth. In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna are joined by Meredith Whitefield to talk about how your youth ministry can healthfully engage and share the Gospel youth and parents on social media.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#026: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Mental Health

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:45:00 -0500

Healthy youth ministry cares for the whole young person, including their mental health. In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna are joined by Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about supporting the mental health of youth in your congregation and community.

Resources for this episode:

National Alliance on Mental Health nami.org/Home
Anxiety and Depression Association of America adaa.org/mental-health-awareness-month
MentalHealth.gov MentalHealth.gov
Mental Health First Aid mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Q & A with a Therapist about Youth Depression youthesource.com/2016/02/10/qa-with-a-therapist-about-teen-depression
Real Truths You Need to Know about Depression youthesource.com/2016/02/18/real-truths-you-need-to-know-about-depression
Let’s Talk About Mental Health youthesource.com/2018/11/27/lets-talk-about-mental-health
LCMS Church Worker Wellness Resources lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/church-worker-wellness
LCMS Youth Ministry Resource Website: youthesource.com

Deaconess Tiffany Manor

Bio: Deaconess Tiffany Manor serves as the Director of LCMS Life Ministry. Before serving for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, Tiffany was called by the New England District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to be the Deaconess for Human Care, her work was focused on caring for rostered church workers and their family members. Previously she served congregations in Michigan and Illinois, as well as Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and the Mill Neck Family of Organizations. After a first career in business, B.A. in Marketing, and studying in an MBA program, Deaconess Tiffany received a M.A. from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tiffany is married to Rev. Jonathan Manor. The Lord has blessed the Manors with four children.

End Goals is the podcast of LCMS Youth Ministr

#025: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Fundraising

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 10:45:00 -0500

Fundraising can be a chore and can frustrate youth and congregations alike. In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna talk about how fundraising can be done wisely and benefit not just your youth ministry, but your congregation and community as well. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#024: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Using Large Events for Ongoing Ministry

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:45:00 -0500

In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark, Julianna and Rev. Derek Broten discuss how large events like servant events, district events or the LCMS Youth Gathering can have a long-term positive effect on your youth ministry. With some planning and care, these events can last far longer than just a few days to help make disciples for life. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and the LCMS Youth Gathering website at lcmsgathering.com.

#023: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Safety and Risk Management

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 10:15:00 -0500

In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Jim Lohman as they talk about how you can manage risk and keep your youth and adults safe in youth ministry. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#022: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Supportive Adults for Youth Ministry

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:15:00 -0500

In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna talk about how you can engage and foster healthy supportive adults to serve as volunteers in your youth ministry. It takes a whole team of adults to help raise young people as disciples of Jesus. Those who volunteer in your youth ministry are a critical part of its health. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Volunteer Longevity: youthesource.com/2018/10/23/volunteer-longevity

Making the Most of Adult Volunteers: youthesource.com/2016/01/12/all-things-new-making-the-most-of-adult-volunteers

#021: Talking about Racism with your Youth with Pastor Gerard Bolling

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 09:45:00 -0500

Pastor Gerard Bolling joins Mark and Julianna to discuss how we can engage with young people around issues of race, racism, our life in the church, and in our society. Pastor Bolling gives great wisdom and insight so we can reach the end goals of young people and a church which embrace and value the diversity of ethnicity, language, and culture God has created in His community.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Rev. Gerard Bolling was born and raised in New York City and currently serves as Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. Gerard is passionate about Urban/Deaf ministry, and treasures the dynamic programming Bethlehem does to reach people in rough urban areas including Ferguson, MO through the “More Greater Things Program” and Hope Center. He teaches at Concordia Texas, Concordia St. Paul and Concordia Wisconsin the leadership and theology. He also served as a morning session speaker at the 2019 Gathering. Gerard has a beautiful wife, Lorenda, and two super cute kids, Lincoln and Monroe.

Resources from Pastor Keith Haney:

The Search for My Identity by Pastor Keith Haney: youthesource.com/2019/07/25/bible-study-the-search-for-my-identity/

Keith Haney End Goals Podcast to discuss his study: kfuo.org/2020/03/24/end-goals-episode-15-youth-gathering-resource-rev-keith-haney-and-racial-reconciliation/

Kathy Haney’s Book, One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America Published by Concordia Publishing House cph.org/p-31186-one-nation-under-god-healing-racial-divides-in-america-downloadable.aspx

Sessions at the Gathering dealing with race and our Christian identity:

Youth Session: Our View of Justice Effects our Evangelism (Rev. B. Keith Haney) kfuo.org/2019/11/21/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-keith-haney-our-view-of-justice-impacts-evangelism/

Youth Session: Real Talk (Rev. Matthew Gonzalez) kfuo.org/2019/11/15/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-matthew-gonzalez-real-talk/

Adult Session: Race, Ethnicity, and Faith: Why We Need To Be Talking About This (Rev. Matt Gonzalez) kfuo.org/2019/11/15/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-matthew-gonzalez-race-ethnicity-and-faith-why-we-need-to-be-talking-about-this/

Youth Session: Do We Really Need to Talk About Racism (Rev. Micah Glenn) kfuo.org/2019/11/15/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-micah-glenn-do-we-really-need-to-talk-about-racism/

LCMS Resources:

LCMS page on racism: lcms.org/social-issues/racism

President Harrison’s Statement: blogs.lcms.org/2020/statement-on-the-death-of-george-floyd-and-the-ensuing-riots/

#020: Youth Gathering Resource: DCE Rebecca Duport and Dealing with Fear

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 10:15:00 -0500

Young people today are living in a world marked by fear, anxiety and shame. Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Rebecca Duport to talk about how we can address that fear by pointing young people to our God who has conquered fear. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: DCE Rebecca Duport who serves as Director of the DCE Program at Concordia University in Irvine, CA and Assistant Professor of Christian Education Leadership. Rebecca has served at Concordia since 2014 and is also the Associate Director of Crosswise Institute. Prior to CUI - Rebecca has served as a DCE in Idaho, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Florida in life-span education roles working with Children, Youth, Family, Older Adults. She also speaks at youth gatherings, retreats and conferences. Along with her husband, Kyle, she enjoys spending time with her four boys and their events in scouting, sports and school.

Special Episode: Return from COVID-19

Tue, 19 May 2020 11:30:00 -0500

As we move through the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not too early to be thinking about what happens as we return to a new normal. This is a great moment for assessment and strategy to build on what we have experienced and learned through this difficult time. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#019: Youth Gathering Resource: Kayla Brock and Social Media

Tue, 19 May 2020 08:15:00 -0500

Social media is a part of nearly all of our lives and it has an impact your youth ministry shouldn’t ignore. DCE Kayla Brock joins Mark and Julianna to talk about her resource “Created to Connect” and how youth ministries can help young people utilize social media in a healthy, God pleasing way. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Kayla is a born and raised Texas who was born smack dab in the middle of the millennial generation and she takes great pride in the millennial title. Kayla loves seeing God work in people of all ages and across all cultures and she finds her deepest joy in the invitation God gives us to go and make disciples. In her free time, Kayla can be found snap chatting, not answering phone calls, and adventuring.

#018: Youth Gathering Resource: Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann and Vocation

Tue, 05 May 2020 13:00:00 -0500

Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann joins Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Julianna Shults to talk about the importance of vocation for youth ministry and his resource “Leading Lives that Matter”. They will discuss how to guide young people as they discover their purpose in life and plan for the future by deepening their understanding of vocation. Learn about Concordia St. Paul at csp.edu. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann serves as Assistant Professor of Theology and Ministry and the Hoffmann Mentoring Initiatives Director at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Koschmann teaches courses on Christian mission and outreach, world religions, and a special course offering for students taking part in the Hoffmann Mentoring Initiative called, “Faith and Justice in the City.” He also teaches courses specifically related to Concordia’s Director of Christian Outreach program.

#017: Youth Gathering Resource: Heather Ruesch and Sexuality Mentality

Mon, 04 May 2020 13:00:00 -0500

Heather Ruesch joins Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Julianna Shults in the studio to talk about her resource “Sexuality Mentality – Creating a Culture of Biblical Integrity”. She talks about how these discussions are critical with teens as they prepare to live a life of biblical sexual integrity. Her recent tour focuses on the value of all human life and the importance of our identity in Christ. Sexuality Mentality from CPH: https://www.cph.org/p-31989-sexuality-mentality-creating-a-culture-of-biblical-integrity.aspx

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Heather Ruesch is a respected life-issues advocate, communicator, and author. She has served as the executive director of crisis pregnancy centers and is a dynamic sexual integrity educator. “Equipping Christians to speak boldly the value that every human life has to our Creator, through clear and focused teaching in God’s Word, that begins first and foremost when we comprehend our own intrinsic value found solely in Jesus Christ.”

#016: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Unique Vocation

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:16:49 -0500

Healthy youth ministry helps young people to live out their unique vocation. Every young person has a number of vocational roles in their home, school, church and community. Mark and Julianna discuss how healthy youth ministry can help teens embrace their vocation and live it out to love and care for their neighbor. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#015: Youth Gathering Resource – Rev. Keith Haney and Racial Reconciliation

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:15:52 -0500

Mark and Julianna interview Rev. Keith Haney about his resource on racial reconciliation and how we can help young people form healthy, Christ centered identity. We discuss his story in ministry and how the church can talk with our young people about faith, justice, and racial issues to point people to Christ. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and read Pastor Haney’s blog at alightbreaksthrough.org. Bio: Poplar Grove, Illinois. Rev. B. Keith Haney, Mission Facilitator, Northern Illinois District LCMS since 2007. An ordained pastor for over 20 years. Serving multi-ethnic urban congregations in Detroit, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. In January 2016, he started to write a blog to encourage believers in their faith journey and non-believers to explore difficult faith issues. The blog has over 2,600 faithful followers, over 700 of those are Millennials. The blog address is revheadpin.org.

Special Episode: When You Can’t Meet Face to Face

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:12:39 -0500

In a time where we may have several weeks without in-person youth ministry, we wanted to talk through some practices that may help care for young people. We wanted to give you ideas, encouragement, and thoughts about how we can be light in a dark, troubling world. Resources mentioned in this podcast: LCMS Youth Ministry Resource Website: youthesource.com LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Group (where additional conversations are taking place): facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry How to do a group study on The Bible App – YouVersion: ymsidekick.com/2018/10/18/how-to-create-an-online-group-bible-study-with-youversion Listing of LCMS congregations planning to stream worship services: docs.google.com/spreadsheets

#014: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Resilient Identity in Christ

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:12:07 -0500

Healthy youth ministry helps young people to develop a resilient identity in Christ. As a part of our ongoing series on 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, we break apart the pieces of developing a resiliency and humble confidence in young people as they face everything that life throws at them. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#013: Youth Gathering Resource: Rev. Dr. Ken Chitwood and Worldview

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 15:22:37 -0600

Mark and Julianna interview Rev. Dr. Chitwood about how we can engage young people in meaningful conversations about events and worldviews that shape the world around them. As we face the complexity of world events together, we cling to God’s Word and encourage each other to thrive in our faith and share the love of Jesus with all people. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and find all things by Pastor Chitwood at kenchitwood.com. Bio: Ken thinks religion is cool. Interesting. Diverse. He also thinks learning about religion is so important that he dedicated his life to it — studying theology, teaching religious studies, and writing on the topic of religion and spirituality in newspapers and magazines across the world. This summer, Ken is traveling through the U.S. with his wife Paula and hanging out at the Gathering with cool kids like you before moving to Germany in August.

#012: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Deeply Understanding Baptismal Faith

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:36:37 -0600

Part of designing a healthy youth ministry is focusing on what we want to see in the young people who come through our congregation. As a part of our ongoing series on 7 Practices on healthy youth ministry, we will focus on what it means for young people to deeply understand their Baptismal faith. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#011: Youth Gathering Resource: Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson and Decision Making

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 16:37:19 -0600

Mark and Julianna interview Rev. Dr. Peterson about how we can guide young people during key moments of decision making. As they navigate transitions, we can help youth grow in their understanding of their Baptismal faith. Learn about Concordia Ann Arbor at cuaa.edu. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson Bio: Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson serves as Vice President of Administration at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Prior to serving in this role, he was the Campus Pastor at CUAA since 2013. He has degrees from Concordia University Wisconsin, Concordia Seminary St. Louis, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Ryan and his wife Kristy have four energetic kids and love camping, traveling, and experiencing the adventures of life while serving on a college campus.

#010: Engaging Youth in Service: LCMS Servant Events

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 16:57:50 -0600

For more than 35 years, LCMS Servant Events have supported youth and adults in learning that serving others can make a difference because of Jesus Christ. Servant Events are opportunities for young people to learn new skills and grow in confidence. Members of the LCMS Servant Event Committee join Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Jim Lohman in the studio to talk about the impact of LCMS Servant Events. These events bring together youth and adults to serve in the name of Jesus. Guests for this episode are: Rev. Barry Akers, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo, IN Shelly Carlson, Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, MN, Joe Palinkas, Painesville, OH, Zion Lutheran Church Randy Ronning, DCE, Trinity Lutheran Church, Richmond, VA Links mentioned from this episode: LCMS Servant Events: servantevents.lcms.org/ Heart of a Servant: servantevents.lcms.org/viewFULL.asp?EventID=1375 Riches in Richmond: servantevents.lcms.org/viewFULL.asp?EventID=1394 Mission Possible: servantevents.lcms.org/viewFULL.asp?EventID=1459 Noble Servants: servantevents.lcms.org/viewFULL.asp?EventID=1451

#009: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Opportunities to Serve and Lead

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:22:09 -0600

Opportunities to serve and lead give young people ways to live out their faith and use their God given gifts and skills. Mark and Julianna discuss how to develop these key roles and how young people can be given opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their church. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#008: Youth Gathering Resource: Rev. Michael Salemink and Life Issues

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 17:32:20 -0600

Mark and Julianna interview Rev. Michael Salemink who serves as the executive director of Lutherans for Life. They discuss his study “Real. Present. God. in Life Issues” and how young people can be drawn into important discussions around the sanctity of life. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Learn more about Lutherans for Life at lutheransforlife.org. Bio: Rev. Michael W. Salemink has served as the executive director of Lutherans For Life since 2016. He has degrees from Concordia University Chicago and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has served as a parish pastor in Minnesota and Indiana. He now lives with his wife, Heather, and family in St. Louis, Missouri. Beyond his regular career duties he has also been active as a relationship counselor, fatherhood mentor, and abstinence educator. He also has served on the board of a local pregnancy resource center. He embraces the opportunity to speak truth, especially in the middle of controversy, and show love, especially in crisis.

#007: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Warmth, Challenge and Grace

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:33:45 -0600

Congregational environment is a key factor for healthy youth ministry, but it can be hard to describe. Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Julianna Shults discuss how Warmth, Challenge and Grace best describe what young people told us helped keep them attached to the church community. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#006: Youth Gathering Resource: Rev. Dr. Trevor Sutton and Lutheran Identity

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 16:08:20 -0600

Mark and Julianna interview Rev. Dr. Trevor Sutton about his resource “What Does it Mean to Be Lutheran?” and how young people navigate the tensions of Lutheranism in the world. It is a great discussion for how young people can develop a resilient identity in Christ. Find Pastor Sutton’s books from Concordia Publishing House: https://www.cph.org/m-173-a-trevor-sutton.aspx Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Trevor Sutton is associate pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. He has published multiple books, sermons, Bible studies, and devotional books with various Christian publishers. Sutton holds an MDiv from Concordia Seminary and an MA in writing and rhetoric from Michigan State University. Sutton is currently a PhD student at Concordia Seminary.

#005: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry – Supportive Adults

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:00:56 -0600

Healthy youth ministry depends on supportive adults who engage young people in long term relationships. Mark and Julianna discuss the reason why supportive adults make such a big impact on engaging and retaining young people. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#004: Youth Gathering Resource – Rev. Casey Kegley and the Psalms

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 15:28:18 -0600

Mark and Julianna interview Pastor Casey Kegley who wrote a Bible study on the Psalms titled, “The King in the Psalms” (available on the Youth E-Source) that continues many themes from the 2019 Youth Gathering where he served on the Morning Sessions team. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Pastor Casey Kegley was born and raised around Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to entering pastoral ministry, Casey studied theological languages at Concordia University Wisconsin and later earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Casey is married to Beth, his high school sweetheart, and they have two amazing children: Boaz and Adah. They love spending time outdoors, eating good food, and making new friends. Casey serves as Associate Pastor at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, NJ.

#003: 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry: Engaged Parents

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:37:14 -0500

Engaged parents are a critical part of healthy youth ministry. Mark and Julianna discuss the role of parents in youth ministry and how congregations can support parents in their vocation. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#002: Welcome to End Goals

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:36:23 -0500

LCMS Youth Ministry staff Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Julianna Shults introduce End Goals and how they hope it will help you develop seven practices of healthy youth ministry in your congregation. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

#001: End Goals Trailer

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:32:43 -0500

Join Rev. Mark Kiessling and DCE Julianna Shults as they introduce the End Goals podcast. End Goals is a new resource from LCMS Youth Ministry to bring parents, church workers, and lay leaders discussions and resources to help your youth ministry meet its end goal: young people who are disciples for life. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.