Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

In this episode, we interview Chase Allen (Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church Umatilla) about his month long sabbatical in 2023. Here are some of the questions we discuss: 1. How long have you been in student ministry and how long have you been at this Church? 2. Who decided you needed a sabbatical? 3. Did you think you had time to take a sabbatical?  4. What changes did you feel with the extended time off while on sabbatical? 5. What did you do or not do? 6. Was your time off refreshing?  7. How did this time off affect your wife and children? 8. Do you feel, see or have any thoughts on what changes in yourself have occurred or not? Has anyone else noted anything better about you? 9. Could you have used more or less time? To the listener of this episode… How does this translate in your life? How can you take a sabbatical even though it looks impossible in your busy world? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry

Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. (Proverbs 15:16) Ed Sheeran (Songwriter/Artist) - “Writing music is like turning on a faucet. At first you get muddy water. The more you run it, the clearer the water gets. The same thing happens when writing music. At first the ideas are unclear, but as you keep writing the thoughts and ideas become clearer and better.” Here are a few important topics we discuss in this podcast episode: Small goals that gives you wins. Scale down your big habits or goals to small wins. Every action should be about “casting a vote” for the type of person you want to become. A few examples of the consistent habits I complete on a daily and/or weekly basis: 11 minutes in the gym during my lunch hour. 3 to 6 minute cold plunge in my pool during the winter season to prepare for upcoming cold weather events. Record a solo or interview style YWOF Podcast episode. Short consistent wins are better than long sporadic wins! People need con

God has a plan for you and your team! Moses had a lot of energy when he was in Egypt and thought he knew everything. However, he found that his energy alone and his willingness to lead got him into trouble. It took God about 40 years to get Moses in the mindset to where he actually could lead with humility. In this episode, you will learn about the four major excuses Moses used with God, thinking that would get him out of leading. God led us all from somewhere to ministry and I bet you possibly had one, if not all, of Moses same excuses… I know I did!  God always has a better plan for your life. He also has appointed a team of volunteers and employees to make things possible to build His kingdom through student ministry and through our student’s families. God is interested in your humility and your willingness to follow him even when it scares you to your knees. Ironically, his way is a lot more fun than your way! I would’ve been a pretty boring person even with the exciting life that I had planned for myself

Happy New Year! God has a plan for your life. I always knew I was meant for something good since I was very young… around 5th grade to be exact. But it was seldom easy. At age 15, I had a God encounter that would send me on the journey I saw in a daydream when I was 10 years old. That journey has never ended. God continues to open and close doors. What about your life? What about the lives of students and families that God has used you to speak hope and love into? “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Enjoy where you are and who you are with… be grateful! God loves a cheerful giver and a loving heart. Press forward even if it’s only one step at a time in this New Year! _________________________

Pick your… WORD FOR THE YEAR! Yes, one word. A friend of mine has asked me and many other friends to pick their “word” for quite a few years now. What is that one word that you want to define the upcoming year? Here are a few changes you can make to go from negative talk to positive and proactive thinking: Impatient…Patient Unprepared…..Always Prepared  Not Confident….Confident Transactional….Relational Doesn’t Follow Up…Follows Up Doesn’t Advertise…Advertises Doesn’t Ask For Referrals…Asks For Referrals Break the Link between… - Thought To Action: Waiting on God is also an action. Keep showing up and move forward as God keeps the doors open. Each time you think about what you are to do or want to do next… take Action again.  - Stop Trying To Solve Problems That Are Made Up In Your Mind And Not Real: Stop being your own worst enemy. Start being your own best cheerleader. People need a leader who knows where he or she is going. Confident, but not arrogant. Strong, but not angry… confident. - It’s Ok To Be Up

Fundraising… Blessing or Nightmare? (Answer: They can be both.) Usually you are either a good at: Ministering to people or 2. Fundraising (Occasionally some are both.) But it doesn’t matter. It’s not about you, it’s about God. It’s about you transferring your knowledge and your abilities to others. When you’re not good at something, then you find somebody else that is. We often say if we show by example and do it, all the people will follow our example of doing. Most of the time that’s not true. You must do a little show a lot and handed over. What we want to do is rescue people when they start failing. All that means is now we are discouraging them to think that we are better than them and that we will have to rescue them… and guess what? They’ll let you. You need to help them find a way to win, but never win for them. That’s what Jesus did for his disciples. He did not win for them (and at times they were frustrated), so He would say… do it this way. Do you believe God has placed you in the most important

This episode is an episode unto itself, but came out of an original interview with Chuck Mingonet (Episode 101, Navy Jet Pilot and Commander). Chuck and his wife have two children. Their daughter and her husband, became missionaries based in Spain. Ian their son (Chuck’s grandson), became ill while on the mission field with a brain tumor that was known to be fatal. The family came back to the USA for treatment. In the process, they were told that Ian would not have long to live… But Ian comes from a genetic and spiritual background of warriors, nationally, and spiritually. So at a young age, Ian learned to be a warrior. Ian asked to go back to the mission field in Spain, so he could share Jesus with his soccer team and church. After a discussion between Ian’s parents, grandparents, and doctors, the decision was “If this is what Ian wants to do, he has the green light from his doctors to go.” And so they went! This episode is about being able to change peoples lives, no matter how young or old you are. Ian has

From the Mission Possible Devotion: "Hard days will come. People will try your patience. What you worked for won’t happen the way you hoped it would… when you want to stop pursuing excellence, just keep showing up." 1 Cor. 15:58 - "My beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." _______________________________ 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

The 10,000 hour rule (as written by Malcolm Gladwell) is not quite enough to become an expert. There are “4 things it takes to be an expert”, according to a YouTube personality. 1. REPEATED ATTEMPTS WITH FEEDBACK. EXAMPLE: A tennis player must have immediate feedback to become great or good. NOTE: Be weary of experts who don’t have repeated theory through feedback. 2. VALID ENVIRONMENT 3. REPEATED EXPERIENCES 4. TIMELY FEEDBACK After doing all of these things, do we then become an EXPERT? Unfortunately NO! We have a tendency to like being comfortable. Don’t get comfortable - learn to be uncomfortable. Deliberate practice is important and attempting things you can’t do quite yet.  Trumpet (Instrument): I became proficient on a pro level over a period of 22 years, because of teachers, college professors from 2 Universities, and countless hours / sleepless nights of private practice, performing with multiple bands, solo performances, failures, wins, rejected auditions, etc. Still on some levels I am an expert an

Matt Ferguson is the CIO (Chief Innovation Officer) and Head of Storymaking at Storyland Studios and PlainJoe (A Storyland Studio). Matt is a master of encouragement and leadership. His creative and insightful nature has led him to incredible opportunities vastly beyond our time together, when he was a student in my youth group. Our main focus in this episode is about Matt’s work with PlainJoe. This part of Storyland Studios focuses on non-profits, churches, schools, and more. They help develop these non-profits to make clear their vision and value within their community and the rest of the world. We hope you enjoy this interview between Matt and Doug! _______________________________ Learn more Storyland Studios here: https://www.storylandstudios.com/ Learn more PlainJoe here: https://www.plainjoestudios.com/ _______________________________ 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

Environments your students, parents and volunteer staff drive into, walk into, and engage others with… It sets the mood and the tone for learning and caring. All student Ministries are not made or created equal. All students are not made for all student ministries. Both students and student ministries have their own personalities, dispositions, and characteristics. Set the pace! Who are you wanting the personality and character of your student ministry (or other organization) to be? What do you want regular and new students to feel when they walk in and when they leave those small and large group meetings? This can apply to your family, business, and volunteer groups. It works with non Christian groups as well as Christian ministry groups. A few tips to inspire your environment: Visit the best student ministries in several counties or beyond and take notes on what you felt and how to adapt that to your groups. Go to concerts that students love, Christian and secular. What are they responding to and what leav

How is Different good? It’s good because God has made us very unique and individual since before birth, according to Psalm 139. People as a whole (or in groups) don't usually like “Different”, because conformity is easier to understand. Conformity is predictable and doesn't cause surprises. Difference-makers change their world and the world around them. They do not conform to the standards of the world. Jesus was different and He shook the standard up! Student ministry shakes the standard up, because students are full of energy and life. They cause people to rethink their positions and thoughts in life, because they have fresh creative minds that want to know “Why and How?”. Those questions demand answers and Jesus was the same in that He made people rethink the way they were doing life. How about you? Are you stuck in conformity or are you asking God what He thinks and what He wants you to do in life? Do you think you are too flawed for Him to use you? Think again! God Loves you as messy as you are and He wi

“Be slow to speak…” James 1:9 Recently, I sent a video to a church event out of state.  No not the one I served locally. They asked me to speak and I asked if I could send a video if I could not show up. They said yes so I did. I found out the new pastor decided not to use it, because it was too long. However, it was told to me that he was going to tell people what I said anyways (in their own words) without my consent…Hmmmmmmmm!!! I asked that they say nothing about the video or me, because I knew something just didn’t feel right. Then I was told, ”No they are going to do that any ways.” So…whats the Big Deal? Great question. Pastors and people in general really like to change words up for their benefit. I have had more pastors, in public, say things that they say, I said, that I didn’t say.  As a whole not only do people say wrongly what other people say, or their intent, but very few people or pastors are truly confidential. If you did one thing in your ministry or life, it would be this… “Be as wise as se

Here is a good place to emphasis this well known fact in great businesses and great ministries… What have you GIVEN UP to go to the NEXT LEVEL? What have you said NO to before saying YES to something better? You will find here that Emelia Hartford (Record Breaking Car Builder & Driver, Actress, and Producer) had to give somethings up in order for Ferrari to help her! It was funny, but true! Ferrari won’t run without Ferrari parts. A Ferrari mechanic said, ”Yeah… Ferrari’s only work well with the parts they were designed with.” Aftermarket parts don’t work! When Emelia pushed on the gas and asked for more power, it went into “limp mode”, because the parts it was designed for were not there and the car knew something was missing. So what did Emelia Hartford have to give up? Listen to this podcast episode to find out! We were made with a design that included God in our very being. Without Him there, we try to fill that hole with aftermarket parts. We don’t run correctly and nothing seems to quite right. Like

Rick Eldridge started out as a music artist and Campus Life director for Youth For Christ in Orlando. So… how did he becoming a movie producer / film director? We dive into this here and also talk about his new movie, NEVER GIVE UP - The Brad Minns Story. The true story of how twenty-year-old Brad Minns does the impossible in the Men’s Singles Tennis Finals in the 1985 Deaf World Games. In a five-hour match for the ages, Minns somehow comes back from match point in the third set to winning the Gold medal in the fifth set. The match serves as a framework for the story of this inspirational man who became deaf at age three and rose to the height of his sport thanks to God helping him to NEVER GIVE UP. Watch the movie trailer here: www.reelworks.com/projects/nevergiveup Enjoy this episode about an inspiring movie maker with an inspiring story! Learn more about Rick's upcoming and past projects here: www.reelworks.net/projects _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can r

Mike Wolfe from the TV show American Pickers says, “It’s the smalls that keep us in business.” These guys go after big items like, high six figure vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They restore historic buildings. They shop through out the USA to fill their stores in Iowa and Nashville. But the things that keep them going are the small items that can be sold to anyone. Those individual valuable items they buy with certain people in mind. The church is the same way. It’s those one-on-one times with individuals that change the trajectory of your community and the world. It’s the smalls that keeps your student ministry in business too! The “face to face asks” have been the most impactful, long term effective moments in all of my ministry life. The big events, trips, camps, adventures, and big meetings where we had everyone we could invite show up were incredibly important. But…the after meetings of small groups, asking a student or parent, or someone who is wanting to know more, the question… “Would you lik

You are not alone… So give your best to your family and give your best to your ministry! Episode Scripture Reference: Psalm 139 :1-18 Heaven knows your name and so does your family and friends. Give your best to both worlds, because God is there to help you succeed in your family and ministry. So with this in perspective, when you are in a tough place… with your church, board members, parents, students, senior pastors, or even your own family, there is one thing that you must keep in perspective… WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?  You work for God!  Not arrogantly, but confidently. God put you on this road of ministry and He will keep you there. Stay confident that you are not subservient to your other pastors or board members. That your calling is as high a calling as all the rest…if they aren’t on that same page with you, then are you sure God has called you there? If you aren’t sure that God has brought you to this place in ministry then…find another place or vocation. Sounds harsh, but don’t waste your time where yo

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 Did you know that Johnny Cash was one of the great philanthropist of student ministry? Johnny Cash… the man, the singer, the legend changed my life and I wasn’t even a country music fan! His decision to say “YES!” to Youth For Christ got me to Florida with that organization. In this episode, I dive into how and why this happened for me and many others! God will use whoever He wants to get you wherever He has planned for you. He has made you to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10) _______________________________ 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

Iron Sharpens Iron (Proverbs 27:17 NLT), so a Friend Sharpens a Friend. More than one mentor brings strength! I have always tried to lead students in ministry (and my own children) by directing them toward several mentors. Dr. John Maxwell said, “With one mentor you get their good qualities and their bad ones too. With many mentors you can take the good from each one….”! I was watching the University of Colorado vs Nebraska football game recently. The coach, Deion Sanders (Coach Prime), is an intriguing leader. Pastor and Coach Harold Kelly knew Deion from FCA and during his time with Coach Bobby Bowden. Bobby was Deion’s coach at Florida State University and Pastor Harold Kelly is the one who reminded me about Deion’s Christian influence. Deion said in an interview about coaching at the University of Colorado and his life in general, “I am a part of all the coaches from pee wee league to the NFL that coached me. I am all of those combined.” We are all the cumulative effect of the many influencers (mentors) i

Sammie Smith was an NFL (Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos) and College Football (Florida State University) running back, as well as, a track star at Apopka High School and Florida State University. After a career ending injury and 7 years in prison, God’s plan for his life started unfolding! During his pro career, his son died of SIDS and life was not the same. Sammie and his wife have served God full-time with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) for many years and recently released his first book about his journey with God titled, “My Name Is Not 18121-018”. In this episode, we talk about how his new ministry with FCA is developing, including the addition of Salt and Fresh Water Fishing to his sports area of outreach. Sammie and his family gave a lot of years to Ole Miss University through FCA and now he has come back to Florida. Blessing us with his leadership and care for students, leadership, and families. Listen up as we dive into the many things God is doing through Sammie and how you can get involv