Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

We are taught at an early age to be an extrovert... It’s the way to be they say (or something like that). Although, introverted people are typically more thoughtful about who they are, what is happening around them, and caring for others. THEY THINK! People want to listen to them, because those who know them or know about them, know that those introverts have thought through what they are going to say. They leave us with usable information. In history, it has many times been the Introvert who became the most sought after public speaker... the one who would change the world around them. We think of extroverts as the public speakers and life changers, because they are loud and love large groups of people. But throughout history it was and is the Introverted thinker who people seem to be sought after in many cases. The Introvert, by personality trait, is often drained by large rooms or groups of people. They prefer a one-on-one time. They often need no one else around and are quite content. They are often deep

Ken Davis was one of my mentors in my early years. In Gatlinburg, my 2nd year with Youth For Christ / Campus Life, he came out to speak to over 2,000 students and staff.  Before he spoke the first night, he told how he was going to approach us for those 3 nights. Ken said… "But I believe you are ready now." He gave the invitation and over 500 students came to receive Jesus. He sent them to us counselors to receive Jesus and then he spoke to the rest of the audience. This was a monumental time for me as a spiritual leader. It was obedience to God’s Holy Spirit that caused an awakening within those 2,000 students. I was never the same after that night.  My prayer is that God would cause an awakening through you... for the church, christian student organizations, and the community that you serve. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes fro

All public school teachers are not created equal. They have different talents, teaching styles, and skills. They have different backgrounds and purposes that drive them. Jim Curtis is one of those supreme educators with his students and colleagues in mind. He served during the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 with us, because his students were going and he wanted to be apart of what they were doing. That is waaaaay over the required work of a teacher! We slept on the floor of a church and served in harsh conditions during an impossible situation. In this episode, Jim shares he and his wife’s experience during our missions trip to South Florida to assist the people of that area that were affected by this natural disaster. He is one of those teachers I loved to be around. I had the privilege of sitting in his classroom on many occasions and was captivated each and every time. Jim is also an avid world traveler... the long time Geography educator and visionary living and experiencing what he teaches on! W

To assist with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, consider donating to local relief organizations that provide emergency supplies and support to affected families. Volunteering your time to help with cleanup efforts or offering temporary housing can also make a significant difference in the recovery process. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) For additional resources on how you can assist, please visit: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/nam/#volunteer-now _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfir

“Wise as serpents…harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) You will make mistakes in your ministry and in life. Had some of my mistakes been avoided, there were certain events and interactions that would have been life changing for many people. But mistakes have happened to me. Some mistakes were my fault and some were out of my control... and yet still, I was responsible. As a leader of anything, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE! This is one of my most epic mistakes. In this episode, I talk about a personal mistake that was so embarrassing that I have not shared it publicly until now. Some will say, “Awe, get over it! It just wasn’t meant to be.” But when you are fighting to change the world and especially your world around you, you don’t get over that kind of mistake. It follows you wherever you go in your mind and heart. It’s not the only epic fail I have had in my life, but it is the one that still bothers me consistently. Maybe this story will help you carry on from one of your failures or maybe it will make you choose yo

Dad and mom owned a construction business. Dad started at age 11, buying his first piece of property to build his mom her first home to own. When I grew up, at a very early age, I would go to the worksite with dad on the weekends and work all week during the summers for as long as I could remember. We had an unwritten rule… no matter the weather, we worked. I remember working in the blazing heat, the rain, and one time we had to break the ice off of the lumber in the snow to get a job done. Why? Because there was a timeline and a deadline. If we missed it... our family lost money. As a youth pastor in Florida, we were use to the sun, surf, sand, lakes, and hurricanes. Each year we would take students and staff outside of sunny Florida and chase bad weather. You know, stuff we were not use to. Mountain altitude, snow storms, frigid temperatures, hiking up and sliding down mountains. Things that would change it up and put us into another type of environment to talk about how God loves us in all of our seasons a

Jesus's student, Peter, got out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. You immediately want to focus on what happened on the way, but I don’t think so…. Everybody else stayed on the boat. The only one who experienced that event completely was Peter. He will always be known as the one who walked on water with Jesus. Many times, figuratively speaking, most of us won’t even get on the boat, or plane, or even start the journey. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen badly. When we should be looking at the opportunity that God has set out for us. We were “Designed to Do Good Works…” - Ephesians 2:10. This week my niece takes her 9 year old daughter to Africa on a mission trip, because she sees the opportunity. There are many reasons to say this is too dangerous, too scary, too hard or too costly. We all have excuses to not even get in the boat, but Peter walked on water… Why Not You? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out:

Russ Ewell's first son was born while he and his wife Gail lived in the Washington, DC area. The doctor said to him “Congratulations! You have a son.” Next the doctor said, “He has down syndrome…”. In time, they moved to Silicon Valley. Russ and his wife, Gail’s, journey as parents of two children with special needs led them to start: Spiritual Resource Ministry at Bay Area Christian Church, which offers individuals with special needs and their families the ability to thrive spiritually alongside their neurotypical peers in every area of the church, which they may not otherwise be able to do. E-Sports and E-Life are free, inclusive community programs across the Bay Area enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their neurotypical peers. Hope Technology School is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian K-12 school, started by Russ and Gail. HTS serves neurotypical kids and kids with special needs from all backgrounds and operates independently of BACC. HTS is reg

God would transition me after he stripped everything... I was secure in a way. Each time He would build me to be a NEW person. Humble and totally dependent on Him. I would go from... strength, to broken insecurity, to desperation, to praying in brokenness, to God opening His doors, and me then walking through them in His strength. That's how He likes us... good and humble. A lot of it is like the story of Jonah found in the Old Testament. I like where I am, I am comfortable, and I am secure. I know who I like and who I don’t like... it all makes sense. When we are those things for a long period of time, as humans, we stop growing. God is all about growth and preparing us for what He designed us to do.  It's possible that there is more to you than you ever imagined! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Po

What ever you are building, whether for yourself, your family, or ministry... get your priorities straight! God used Haggai to tell the country of Israel to stop building for themselves and build His tabernacle first. Then He would bless them. They had not seemed to learn their lesson yet, so God reminded them through Haggai. Its the  same for you and I. God wants us to do what He has called us to do first and then He will bless us. (Matthew 6:33) Our human nature says, “When I catch up and have enough time and money... I will, of course, give back to God.” God’s nature says, ”I am waiting to bless you when you give to Me first. I am your source. Believe and give me the first of your everything and I will give all things to the fullest, and finally running over with Blessings.” When will we ever get it right? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to m

Most of the country is hot this time of the year. Even so, the school year has started. Everything is gearing up for students and families. Let the Hot, Hot, Hot days remind you to find a quiet and cool place to spend time with God.  The more you spend time with God, the more clear your mission will be each day this year. If you are on the other side of the equator, let the cold days be your reminder. (Romans 8:28) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out that the furnace of fire was a great place to encounter God. He met them in the fire that was to destroy them and He made it a place of comfort, safety and victory. (Daniel Chapter 3) _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted

Heather Strong Clendinen grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school. It was at 5 years old, a teacher discovered her gymnastics ability. Her mom enrolled her in gymnastics that year and the rest is history. She was influenced by her parents, her church, a student ministry, FCA at her high school, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Florida State University. Her story is a story of commitment on many levels, several tragedies and the way God pursued her in all the light and dark places. This is one to take notes on. It is packed with stories and information. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 :

Running your race is different than running in someone elses race. This is the race God has prepared in advance for you to run. (Ephesians 2:10) The more you try to look like, act like and minister like other people, the more you will feel like a fish out of water. God has designed you a certain way to run... Find your groove! Find your rhythm and God will use yiu in amazing ways you did not think possible. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Simone Biles (Team USA Gymnast) was hit by the mental block called "the twisties" (a Gymnastics term) during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Since then, according to a recent interview given by Simone, "Life has not been easy".  The twisties happens when a gymnast is in midair and loses their sense of where they are and how they'll land, making the move risky. Biles described it as being "lost in the air." In our calling to lead students to a spiritual awakening in Jesus Christ, we can do more than God is asking and burn ourselves out. We should see all students as potential Simone Biles types. Far beyond the average, but help them become even more by being full of God’s power. (24) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24,25 _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You

This TV series caught my attention... "Bear Grylls Survival School"! Series Description: A group of brave children leave technology at home and embark upon an adventure in the wild. For two weeks, they must work as a team while Bear Grylls teaches them skills they'll need to survive. This podcast episode will help you understand that you can ask more of your students... You SHOULD ask more of your students! Those who are ready will rise to the occasion. Through out history (especially Biblical history), we see young men and women take on huge, painful decisions and tasks as God strengthened and honor them. How much more can you ask of yourself, your staff, and your students? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us

It’s difficult discipling teenage guys (young men). Dr. Jonathan Denton, Assistant Professor at Charleston Southern University, who wrote a book on the topic, says "We ask for too small of a commitment. We have to set the bar high for them." Dr. Denton's background is impressive! The courses he teaches, the books he has written, and his seasoned (20+ year) full-time student minstry experience... and that only covers a small portion of his acheviements.  He majored in Civil Engineering at Clemson University, he was a youth pastor for 10 Years at a church in Mississippi and he is currently an Assistant Professor of Christian Studies/Student Ministry at Charleston Southern University. On top of that... Dr. Denton is sought after communicator, all of this while raising 2 boys along with his wife. For the past 3 years, Jonathan also has been a part of Youth Pastor Summit (YPS) where he leads break out sessions at their trainings across the country. YPS is developed by Student Leadership University (SLU) under the

Human Being or Human Doing? ... Kelsey O’Connor said it best in her commencement speech at NC State University. She suffered a career ending brain injury while playing softball for the NC State Wolfpack. After she recovered... she understood more about life. Everyone wants to know... What Are You Going To Do In Life? Very few ask ... Who Are You Going To Be? That is where this episode comes in! Hopefully we can take a moment to reflect on who we want to be and see if that changes what we are going to do in life. Kelsey O'Connor - NC State University Commencement Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHudhietNso _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme S

Avery Hooper is a brilliant young lady who knows how to face obstacles and overcome them! Her father and mother led the way spiritually and familiarized her with Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. They also led the path of student ministry in her life through church and their own involvement in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and CRU (formally known as Campus Crusade For Christ), which are both national and international evangelism organizations.  Avery has been a leader in FCA since middle school and is now on her way to the University of Colorado at Boulder. There she has determined to be a part of CRU and work on her degree in Biomedical Engineering... in which she has incredible dreams of how she plans to advance and enhance people's lives in a HUGE way with this degree! Listen as Avery tells us about her journey with Christ. Listen as she tells about her obstacles with public speaking and how God strategically kept teaching her go take the platform. _______________________________ Looking for a

The past few weeks have been very, good, hard, motivating, hurtful, joyful and inspiring. In other words, “Normal... with a bit of an edge". Matthew 6:24 - 7:14 NLT - “…God cares more about you…” “NOW” matters! Jesus said, “Why are you worrying about what you wear or what you are going to eat? God clothes the lillies of the field and He cares more about you…”, but we worry anyway.  This is about seeing what is around you in this exact moment. The more we spend time with God now, the more we are secure and at peace with God taking care of us now... and in the future. When we are driven, because we have a calling that God has placed in us, that is different than worrying about what we do not understand. More time spent with God, takes care of the past, the present, and the future. More dependence on God every moment of every day gives us a drive that we cannot create without him.  “For we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose

In 1 Kings 19:10-18, God tells Elijah that He will speak to Elijah on the mountain. So Elijah climbs the mountain! Some big and loud and terrifying things happen, but God is not in any of those things. Elijah hears a gentle breeze and he knows that this is God and he comes out from hiding. God often speaks in a whisper. I think because He likes the intimacy with us. There are a few times in my life I have heard the whisper. It was so clear. It was the 2 times I mention in this episode that His whisper would change the direction I was going. The first Whisper said “Will you stay?” when I wanted to go. 24 years later in the middle of a board meeting, God would whisper, ”It's Over.”  I knew what that meant. This whisper meant it was time to go.  How many times has He whispered to you. Have you ignored the whisper or did you obey Him when He whispered. The choice is always ours. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministr