Student Ministry Podcast

How do you make every dollar count in student ministry? Whether you’re working with a tight budget or just looking for ways to save, today’s episode is packed with practical tips to help you stretch your resources and still have an impact. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we dive into 15 tips on how you can maximize your student ministry budget—no matter how small.  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:  Youth Pastor Compensation Report 2024 - https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/compensation-youth-pastor-2024/ Youth Pastor Compensation Survey 2025 - https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2025-youth-pastor-compensation-survey/ 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 par

Are you struggling to stretch your budget for student ministry or wondering how to fund that next big event? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some practical tips to overcome budgeting challenges and offers advice on establishing, managing, and requesting a budget, along with strategies for effective fundraising. Emphasizing the importance of strong relationships with church leadership and financial teams, this episode sets the stage for a two-part series, with a focus on cost-saving strategies in the next installment.  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 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/cullumc

How can we go beyond just teaching about singleness, dating, friendships, and romance at youth group? What if there was a resource that walked students through all of those topics in just 4 weeks, addressing many of the answers they already have, and offering solid interactive questions that were rooted in Scripture? Thankfully, our guests just wrote a student devotional that I think you’re going to love. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Heather Flies and Tony Myles about their stories, ministries, their latest book, and how it can enhance your ministry.  Sponsors for this episode of podcast: Next Gen Ministry Network - http://nextgenministrynetwork.com G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save 10% off your next order).  Links referenced in this episode:  Buy "Single, Dating, Friendships, and Romance" on YM360 - http://bit.ly/single-dating-friendships-romance  Buy the book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4cQwMMA  Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagr

Have you wondered how artificial intelligence could change the way you connect with your students? Maybe you’re curious about how AI can help you create more engaging content, streamline communication, or even better connect with your students. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Tom Pounder joins Steve to discuss some practical ways to harness A.I. and avoid some critical pitfalls in order to enhance our ministry to students and families.  Sponsors for this episode of podcast: Next Gen Ministry Network - http://nextgenministrynetwork.com G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save 10% off your next order).  Links referenced in this episode:  Check out Tom's website at http://tompounder.com  Follow Tom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tapounder  AI for Church Leaders: https://www.aiforchurchleaders.com  Church Tech Today: https://churchtechtoday.com  MetaChurch by Dave Adamson on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cYYg9g  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/steve

A student gets home from youth group, camp, or a mission trip, and the parent asks how it was and all they hear is “good.” How can we help parents have better conversations with their teenagers? On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares 5 ways we can help parents to have good conversations with their kids.  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:  Find out how you can participate in NNYM's Footprints on Campus prayer initiative at https://bit.ly/footprints2024  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/s

How do you know when it's time to change or quit doing a program? When is it time to change up the way you do youth group, camp, mission trips, or even VBS? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares how to evaluate ministry programs and some ways to go about modifying or letting them go when it's time to change it up. 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:  Find out more about GLS NextGen - www.nnym.org/gls  Use the discount code SMT24NXTGEN to get the $99 rate for GLS NextGen!  Find out how you can participate in the Footprints on Campus prayer initiative at https://bit.ly/footprints2024  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 co

Why is it sometimes so easy for us to forget Jesus in the middle of ministry? We get caught up in the doing of ministry and don’t spend much time with Jesus himself, the vine (John 15). On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Candice Wynn joins us to talk about staying connected to Jesus and also about her brand new ministry, BOON.  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:  Follow Candice on Instagram: @therevcan  Learn more about BOON at https://www.thebooncommunity.com   Find out more about GLS NextGen - www.nnym.org/gls  Use the discount code SMT24NXTGEN to get the $99 rate for GLS NextGen!  Enter by Aug. 23, 2024, to win a FREE ticket to GLS NextGen 2024 at https://bit.ly/gls2024ticket  Find out how you can participate in the Footprints on Campus prayer initiative at https://bit.ly/footprints2024  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum   Sign up t

How do we respond when someone decides to leave your church or ministry? Do we have a castle mindset or a kingdom mindset, seeing the bigger picture of the entire church? Steve White joins us this week discuss what it’s like to  have a kingdom mindset and keep it. 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:  Follow Mission NextGen on Instagram: @missionnextgen  Learn more about Mission NextGen at https://missionnextgen.com  Connect with Steve White at steve@missionnextgen.com  Find out more about GLS NextGen - www.nnym.org/gls  Use the discount code SMT24NXTGEN to get the $99 rate for GLS NextGen!  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.l

 How can we train up the next generation of leaders? The Global Leadership Summit has been thinking about that very question and they're ready to answer. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we talk with Jenna Istvanik and Mariana Rubinec, two young leaders from GLS NextGen about what we can expect from this year's event, why you should attend, and why you should consider bringing your team and students along with you. Links referenced in this episode:  Find out more about GLS NextGen - www.nnym.org/gls  Use the discount code SMT24NXTGEN to get the $99 rate for GLS NextGen!  Sign up to host GLS NextGen for free - https://bit.ly/hostglsnextgen2024  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://stevec

We've all been there... You're teaching a group of teenagers, but one or more of them aren't paying attention. Frustrating, right? So how do we teach in a way that draws teenagers in and encourages them to engage rather than being distracted by their friends' phones or more. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve is joined by Mike Haynes to discuss how to captivate students' attention and keep it throughout your talk.  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save 10% off your next order).  Purchase a copy of Life Through the Lens of the Gospel by Mike Haynes - https://amzn.to/432h2B5   Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Mike on Instagram @mikeehaynes   Follow Mike on Facebook @mike.haynes1   Learn more about Mike on previous episodes: 32, 55, and 93.   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 a

How did you get started in student ministry? And what are you doing to raise up the next generation of leaders? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks about how he got started and also provides some resources that we think will really help us in raising the next generation of leaders that will come after us. Links referenced in this episode:  Leadership Pathway - https://leadershippathway.org  LeaderTreks - https://www.leadertreks.org  Ignite Youth Leadership - https://www.igniteyouthleadership.org  GLS Next Gen - www.nnym.org/gls  Use the discount code SMT24NXTGEN to get the $99 rate for GLS Next Gen!  Listen to the Free Refills Podcast, where Steve talked about OC24 - http://nnym.org/podcast  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://

Are you here for it? This question was posed at The Orange Conference 2024, and throughout the event, we had main stage and workshop speakers helping us understand how God is here for it and how we can be here for it in order to reach this next generation for Christ. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve is joined by several conference attendees to talk about who was here for them and how they plan to be here for it.  Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Free Refills Podcast, where Steve will soon appear talking about OC24 - http://nnym.org/podcast  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 o

How do we transition students well from kids ministry to student ministry? How do we walk with parents during this time? And how do we come alongside families during this time of high anxiety? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Jay Reynolds joins Steve to share how he and his church have created a seamless transition in their ministry and how we can do that as well.  Links referenced in this episode:  • Follow Jay on Instagram: https://instagram.com/reynoldsjay  • Email Jay: jayr@gethope.net  • 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/studen

Have you ever been fired or maybe in a ministry that just wasn’t working? And then wondered how you can bounce back from that? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Kyle Isabelli, pastor and author of Refined by the Fire(d), shares about his experience with getting fired and how God refined him through it and eventually began redeeming it.  Links referenced in this episode:  Buy Refined by the Fire(d) on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4agPnRp  Check out Kyle's website and more ways to buy his book at https://kyleisabelli.com  Follow Kyle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleisabelli  Join the book club for A Non-Anxious Life at https://forms.gle/qQh5N49a5Fe8b9Xf7  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  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/cul

How do you celebrate your high school graduates? This question pops up a lot in youth ministry circles, especially in late winter and early spring. So on this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re getting really practical. Steve shares what he's done over the last several years in hopes that it might help you as you think about your own way of celebrating graduates. Links referenced in this episode:  The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4971Wx8  Learn more about The Blessing Challenge at https://www.theblessing.com/theblessingchallenge  Starting Now by Crystal Chiang and Gerald Fadayomi on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VlGbql  Every Student Sent, a database of campus ministries - https://everystudentsent.org  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit

While we know anxiety is runny rampant in the teenagers we serve, many of us have probably not stopped long enough to realize it has affected many of us as well. Alan Fadling joins Steve to talk about his Unhurried Living ministry and his brand new book, A Non-Anxious Life. Even if you feel pretty healthy right now, it’s important to think about these things so we can stay healthy for ourselves and the students, families, and teams we serve. Enter to win a copy of Alan's book by going to our Instagram post for this episode, like the post, and leave a comment. We'll choose a winner on March 19, 2024.  Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Alan's ministry at https://www.unhurriedliving.com  Follow Alan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanfadling  Purchase Alan's book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wLeUn2  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nn

Are we going about student ministry the right way? Are we giving this next generation all they need to become the world-changers that God has created them to be? How do we remove the obstacles and set them up for God-defined success? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Billy McMahan joins Steve for a candid conversation about what student ministry is all about.  Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Billy on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mcmahan.billy  Learn more about African Inland Mission at https://us.aimint.org  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  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://s

How much should the average youth pastor make? How can we'd set ourselves up to get a raise? And how much does your church size, ministry size, tenure, and education factor into your pay? If you have questions about youth pastor compensation, this is the episode for you! On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Dan Navarra joins us to unpack the 2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Report.  Links referenced in this episode:  Download the 2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Report at https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/compensation-youth-pastor-2024/  Email Dan at dan.navarra@chemistrystaffing.com  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  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 consult

Are you connected with other youth leaders around you? In this Student Ministry Connection and Free Refills crossover episode, Wayne Morgan, Travis Deans, and Steve talk about why it's important to find a network, how they've been blessed by ministry networks, and how they originally got connected with National Network of Youth Ministries.  Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about NNYM at http://nnym.org  Listen to the Free Refills Podcast on your podcast app or at https://www.youthworkers.net/podcast.htm  Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  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  Fol

What does it mean to rest? And how can we rest when there is so much to do? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve takes a moment to share some of what he's learned over the past several years on the topic of rest, especially as it pertains to us in student ministry. If we are going to do well in this ministry, we need to find fulfillment in Christ, so we'll discuss why we need to say no sometimes, why Sabbath is important, some bad examples of rest, and a few ideas of how to truly rest in and with God.  Links referenced in this episode:  Bible Project podcast series on Sabbath - https://bibleproject.com/podcast/series/7th-day-rest-sabbath/ Unhurried Living podcast series on rest (265, 267, 269, 271) - https://www.unhurriedliving.com/blog?tag=podcast Youth Ministry SoulKeeper podcast - https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/youth-ministry-soul-keeper/ Register for The Orange Conference at https://theorangeconference.com  Save 10% off your OC24 ticket by using promo code: OC24NNYM10  Learn mo