Student Ministry Podcast

What does it look like to disciple teen girls well—and how can youth leaders do that in a healthy, intentional way? On this episode, Steve talks with Krista McBroom, who is passionate about making girls’ ministry a vital part of every student ministry, and she’s ready to help your church create space for teen girls to grow in their faith.    Links referenced in this episode:  Connect more with Krista at https://www.kristamichelle.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  F

We all know that discipleship is important, but what does it look like with a teenager? And how can we also make sure our teams and even ourselves are growing as disciples? Maybe it's as simple as 3 questions.    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Footprints on Campus by visiting https://www.nnym.org/footprints  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link htt

What if we began seeing school teachers as youth leaders on the mission field of the public school? How could we support them, equip them, and empower them as the church? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Mike Hicks of Christian Educators and Lift America about all that and more. Let’s get ready to connect and grow.    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Lift at https://christianeducators.org/liftamerica  Email Mike at mhicks@christianeducators.org  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum   

Want to try new ideas in your ministry without blowing up your program? In this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re talking about a simple way to test fresh ideas while keeping your core ministry strong.   Links referenced in this episode:  Purchase a copy of Growing Young on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4jlJupO   Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https:/

What if your students actually wanted to read the Bible—and understood it when they did? On this episode, Steve talks with student ministry veteran Dr. Ken Castor about how we can help teenagers engage Scripture in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and life-changing. From writing a year-long devotional to helping create an entire youth Bible, Ken brings decades of experience and insight to this conversation you won’t want to miss.    Links referenced in this episode:  Connect more with Ken Castor at https://kencastor.com  Learn more about the Make a Difference Youth Bible at https://makeadifferencebible.com  Purchase the MAD Youth Bible on Amazon - https://amzn.to/43ge9Pc  Purchase the MAD Devotional on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4j3oMuM  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving

Does every ministry need a catchy name? Should it match your church’s branding—or stand out on its own? And what if your youth group’s name already sounds like a dozen others? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’ll break down six essential questions to ask before naming—or renaming—your ministry or program, so you can avoid confusion and create clarity for your students, your church, and your community.     Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum    Be sure to join us in prayer for reviva

Ever wondered how collaboration among churches can create a powerful outreach opportunity? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Dan Lynch about his faith journey and his experience guiding about 50 churches that collaborate every year for camp. They talk about what it takes to create an impactful, large-scale youth retreat with lots of churches, the challenges faced, and the miraculous stories of transformation that happen at these camps.     Links referenced in this episode:  Email Dan at dan@pepc.org  Learn more about Colorado Winter Camps at https://www.coloradowintercamps.com  Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 ticket by visiting https://bit.ly/orangeconference25 or use our affiliate code STEVE25 at checkout.  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullu

 Mission trips can be life changing for students, but if they're not planned well, they can be disastrous. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve breaks down 3 crucial areas to focus on to set up our trips for the biggest impact.    Links referenced in this episode:  Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 ticket by visiting https://bit.ly/orangeconference25 or use our affiliate code Steve25 at checkout.  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection    Be sure to join u

On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we're talking about one thing you can do to both connect with others and grow in your ministry: conferences. Steve shares 3 reasons why they're important where you can find them.    Links referenced in this episode:  Steve's list of youth leader conferences is at https://stevecullum.com/2024/11/04/youth-pastor-conferences-2025/  Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 ticket by visiting https://bit.ly/orangeconference25 or use our affiliate code Steve25 at checkout.  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Join our beta Discord server at https://discord.gg/WXtS7BaGAU  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Stev

Games in student ministry—some love them, some avoid them, but could they actually be a key tool for deeper discipleship? On this episode, Steve talks with Mike McGarry about the theology of fun and games—why they matter, how they can open the door to meaningful conversations, and how to use them effectively in your ministry. Get ready to rethink how games can fit into your ministry and how they can open the door to deeper faith conversations.   Links referenced in this episode:  Youth Pastor Theologian website - https://youthpastortheologian.com  Read Mike's blog post about fun and games - https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog/fun-and-games-in-youth-ministry  Buy a copy of Lead Them to Jesus on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4ih1CkI  Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 ticket by visiting https://bit.ly/orangeconference25 or use our affiliate code Steve25 at checkout. Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Join our beta Discord server at https://discord.gg/WXtS7BaGAU  Learn more about

Middle schoolers are full of energy, questions, and chaos—but they’re also at one of the most pivotal moments in their faith journey. So how can we better connect with them and create a ministry that truly meets them where they are? My guest today has dedicated her life and ministry to helping churches do just that. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re talking all things middle school with Ashley Bohinc and exploring how "Make it Middle School" can transform the way you reach and disciple students.    Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Ashley on Instagram: @ashleymariebohinc  Check out Ashley's website at https://ashleybohinc.com  Learn more about Make it Middle School at http://makeitmiddleschool.com  Buy a copy of Communicating to Middle Schoolers on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3TMgP1p  Learn more about Carry 117 at https://carry117.com  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Join our beta Discord server at https://discord.gg/WXtS7BaGAU  Learn more about Steve's mini

 What if you could unlock a deeper understanding of how you work best in ministry? What if a simple tool could help you and your team thrive instead of just survive? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with veteran youth pastor and ministry coach Derry Prenkert about the power of ministry coaching, the Working Genius assessment, and how these tools can help you lead with greater clarity and confidence.     Links referenced in this episode:  Check out Derry's website at https://www.derryprenkert.com  Follow Derry on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/derryprenkert  Email Derry at derry.prenkert@standingstoneministry.org  Sign up for the Youth Ministry Leader Cohort at https://www.ymlcohort.com  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Join our beta Discord server at https://discord.gg/WXtS7BaGAU  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by g

 How do we keep students coming back to our ministry and our programs? What's going to help us open that front door really wide, but close that back door so that they don't escape and never experience the Christian community that we're creating in our student ministries? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about on this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection.     Links referenced in this episode:  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Join the beta Discord server at https://discord.gg/WXtS7BaGAU  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.co

How do you grow a youth group? And what does that even mean? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve digs into what growth should look like and how we can shift our priorities to get there.    It starts by shifting our focus away from program growth to growing students and the Kingdom in these 3 ways:   Equipping and empowering students to share their faith and reach their schools, teams, neighborhoods, etc. Partnering with other local churches/ministries to strategize together, pray together, and support one another. Creating healthy environments within the community where students can continue to grow and bring their friends to continue growing.   Links referenced in this episode:  Get a copy of Gospelize Your Youth Ministry by Greg Stier - https://amzn.to/4fQeBrV  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by g

We had some great guests in 2024, so on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we highlight some of the best moments from this year, including topics like: youth pastor compensation, empowering teenagers, anxiety, being fired, helping kids enter our student ministry, keeping students attention while teaching, using artificial intelligence, training the next generation, staying connected, preparing students for evangelism, and trying to figure out when to stay or when to go.    Links referenced in this episode:  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Student Minis

When do you know it’s time to move on from either a specific church or from student ministry altogether? This is a question we’ve all asked at some point, which is why we’re talking about it on this episode of Student Ministry Connection. Todd Pearage joins Steve to discuss some practical things to look for and some solid resources that will help you navigate that question now and in the future.    Links referenced in this episode:  Connect with Todd on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/toddpearage  Email Todd at todd@youthleadersummit.com  Learn more about Youth Leader Oasis at https://youthleaderoasis.com  Learn more about Youth Leader Summit at https://www.youthleadersummit.com  Follow the Youth Ministry Leader Cohort on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theymlcohort or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YMLCohort  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https:/

How can we practice the thankful attitude that Paul talks about in Colossians 2 and 3, especially in the middle of busyness, divisiveness, and struggles? On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares a simple method to remain thankful and shares some of the things he is thankful for, including you.    Links referenced in this episode:  Email the podcast at studentministryconnection@gmail.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm C

Imagine a high school where students are leading their friends to Jesus, where outreach happens in the cafeteria, and the gospel is shared in classrooms across the campus. This isn’t just a dream—it’s happening right now, with over 10,000 students responding to the gospel through student-led events in their schools. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Andi Custer from Decision Point about how equipping students to share their faith is transforming schools and bringing hope to thousands!    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Decision Point at https://decisionpoint.org  Email Andi at andi@decisionpoint.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  F

If we want to be healthy ministry leaders, there are 3 big connections we need to focus on. First, we have to be pursuing Jesus. And the other 2 connections we need are with a network of other youth leaders and with a ministry coach or mentor. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Dustin Fisher joins Steve to discuss how you can make both of those happen.    Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save 10% off your next order).    Links referenced in this episode:  Email Dustin: dustin@hotschurch.org  Find or start a local network at http://nnym.org  Learn more about PACT Ministry at https://pactministry.org Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https

How do we stay in student ministry for the long haul? And what would it look like to be at a church for 10, 15, 20, or more years? That’s exactly what Steve talks about with Jeff Glenn on this episode of Student Ministry Connection. Before stepping into his role with National Network of Youth Ministries, he served as youth pastor of a church for over 26 years.    Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save 10% off your next order).    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Jeff's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/jeffglenn  Email Jeff: jglenn@nnym.org  The Heart of a Great Pastor by H.B. London Jr. and Neil  B. Wiseman - https://amzn.to/3AaN1Xj  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bi