Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Tim Brokopp lives in Pennsylvania, USA and serves as the Executive Director of Operations for the Amoveo Group. The Amoveo Group is a non-profit development organization, which exists to see broken systems fixed in communities all over the world. They mobilize people, material, and financial investment in projects which spur sustainable solutions to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The team at the Amoveo Group looks to local leaders to determine needs and strategically utilize volunteers and pathfinders. That's not an easy task, but it helps ministries stay longer and stronger! Before that appointment, Tim was executive director of the E4 Project, a faith-based international leadership community that brought sustainable solutions to impoverished communities in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tim grew up in Sub-Saharan Africa and has worked in international development since 2008. He is fluent in French and specializes in working in cross-cultural settings, leadership development, and inte

LONGEST LOCK-IN EVER Rust out or Burn out Funny story: Three years in a row we had the same event happen on one of our toughest annual youth road trips. Every year we took middle schoolers to the mountains in the winter time (most of those years we had a sleeper bus). The “Skittles Event” came out of one middle school boy on this trip 3 years in a row. You will have to listen to the this episode to know what happened. Noah longest lock-in ever! 120 years to build the Ark. Stayed on the boat for 150 days. He left the boat on the 27th day of the second month of Noah’s 601st year of life. How do you like that for a fun boat trip? I found this article on my LINKEDIN account: “Burnout at work is a well-known problem. But a new opposite term has recently surfaced in wellbeing discussions: rust-out. Rust-out occurs when employees feel underutilized and under-stimulated in their jobs. Work seems monotonous and devoid of personally meaningful aspects, which can hurt performance and mental health. Gallup’s global workp

Jesus is still relevant. Salvation is what students are looking for, but passionate sold out people are what they are attracted to. Focus on praying for students and their family members and friends, present the gospel clearly and quickly to them, and follow through with care over months and years.  Ask the QUESTION… HOW? Praying with them. Bible study together. Be Pro-Active with them, so you are not Re-Active. _______________________________ 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

“My grace is sufficient for you...” 2 Corinthians 12:9 “The process of elimination!” is the first step to success and identity. “Eliminate who you are NOT first… Stop the victim mentality…you are not entitled to anything… you are the author of your life.” - Matthew McConaughey Also on Joe Rogen’s Show, Matthew McConaughey said… “When I receive an award I give create to God on stage. I am not afraid of losing my place in Hollywood, but I have friends of faith in Hollywood who are afraid to clap for my confession of faith on stage because they are afraid of losing. Give up your life to save your life! (23)Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (24)For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (25)What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? - Luke 9:23-25 (Berean Standard Bible) Arnold Schwarzenegger 2018 - The speech that br

A Tribute to My Youth Pastors: Ronnie and Maxine Kennedy Ronnie passed away recently and Maxine passed away a few years ago of cancer. They have 2 boys who are now men with families. They were bi-vocational pastors during the Jesus Revolution in North Carolina and did not know it. Yet, to them, and for many many others, we are indebted to their sacrifices. They bought a bus with their own money to transport us. They had meetings with us awkward teenagers in their house. We were not nearly as grateful as we needed to be to such sacrificial people.  They died not knowing the magnitude of what their sacrifices created. But now… in the presence of Jesus Christ they are amazed at their rewards and the rewards that are still building. They were not treated as the heroes while they were here on Earth, but in heaven they are well known among the heroes and saints of old. How…? Because they suffered the little ones to come to them as Jesus had done before them. The prayed and worked with and reached out to teenagers w

David Kelly graduated from the University of Florida in 1995 and married his wife Karen in 1996. When they moved to Eustis, Florida (30 miles west of Orlando, Florida) they joined New Hope Presbyterian Church and began volunteering with the youth. From 1997 to 2001 he taught English/Journalism and coached 3 separate sports at Eustis High School. On July 1, 2001, he came on staff as the full time youth director at New Hope, a PCA church. Later that year, David and Karen became parents with the birth of their daughter and the next year welcomed their son. David is a member of Southland Camps leadership team. Southland Camps is a 501(c)(3) youth organization under the umbrella of the PCA that connects students to Christ and Community. David is also a volunteer at Tavares High School and works closely with the football team. He graduated from RTS-Orlando in May 2016 and received his Masters of Divinity degree. In April 2017, he was ordained and installed by the Central Florida Presbytery as an Associate Pastor at

Be more transparent and less dramatic, so that God has room to be God. That way everyone knows when He changes people and there is no doubt that it was Him! Teenagers and young adults are always looking for what is real and though they may not have the discernment or wisdom, they seem to know intuitively when someone is not being true to themselves. As I have watched the stories going on right now, Jesus’s spirit is moving in big ways at Universities and in the entertainment industry just to name a few examples. I have noticed that the people He is using are not extremely great speakers nor are they impressive. They seem to be very normal people. The same type of people He used all through the bible and throughout history… and now! God wants to use you in a big way to unleash His power so that He can empower young people to change this world right now. While they are still young and continuing throughout their adult life. Is this task too much for you? _______________________________ Looking for a new studen

Larry Stephens is a name you are not going to hear unless you are in certain circles. He is a Director at I AM SECOND and CRU's (Campus Crusade for Christ International) representative to Hollywood. Larry has had influence in over 30+ motion pictures and counting, as well as, a new footprint in the Esports gaming world! In this interview we will talk about...   - The current ministry impact and future of video animation and gaming. - A sneak peak into a full length motion picture animation film that no one is supposed to know about yet. (The biggest budget faith based film of its type ever!) - The “Jesus Revolution” movie. (Now available as of February 2023.) - A global initiative paving the way to reach every "people group" in the world for Christ, with assistance of new technology. - The challenges in raising 4 children along with his wife, while traveling all over the world. … and much more!   I got to know Larry because of Amanda (his now wife) who was one of the students in the student ministry that

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,” — Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible) Yet… many of us have a tendency to hold on to what is safe, good enough, and/or familiar. We have been taught that “safe” and normal (average) is better than letting go and being courageous. Dreams are for those other people, but not you. They are for special, unique people that are untouchable. UMMMM!? WHAT?!?! NONSENSE! Chris Voss, of the Black Swan Group, said, “Never be so sure of what you want that you wouldn’t take something better.” Better….hmmmm!? God always has something better for you and God LOVES bold prayers from his children. God rewards Faith. Termination is often the key to future innovation. What have you given up to go forward? We are Salt and Light in this world and we need to stand up and shine our light. Please pray for what you want

Don't Worry! Take ACTION! So...why do people keep talking themselves out of taking ACTION! Mel Robbins says, "Our brain is hardwired to protect us and when we hesitate for a second from taking action, our brain goes into override into protect mode...making you think of the “Why’s” that will keep you from taking immediate ACTION at the right time. Jesus talks about worry as a lack of faith. He then says, stop worrying and instead seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things you are worrying about will be taken care of. I can not tell you the amount of times I have walked on public school campuses knowing it was not going to be easy. Easy would have been staying on my church campus and waiting for everyone to come to me. I can tell you the many times I talked myself out of it and my excuses. I can tell you that every time I went to schools, after school, parent, student, teachers, coaches and administrators events that I would say, “Why am I here?”, and the number of times someone or several others come t

On this week's episode, we dive into PART 2 of our interview with Kristen Lascola (Host of the Ministry Coach Podcast). February is the month of LOVE! So why not begin this episode discussing... A Love Story: Kristen & Jeff The Heart: Physical and Spiritual Couples in ministry and much more! _______________________________ Kristen Lascola is the host of the “Ministry Coach Podcast” and the middle school pastor at North Coast Church based in Vista, California, roughly 30 miles north of San Diego. She is a coach to the coach-less, mentoring pastors and volunteers in student ministry who are looking for guidance and inspiration. Her husband Jeff believes in her so much that he encouraged her to let him produce her podcast and YouTube channel to help people just like you to be the best version of themselves. Kristen’s content is as good as any 5 star level coaching materials on the market…and plus it's FREE! Watch Kristen’s YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/3kVpsd9 We hope this episode provides you with

Kristen Lascola is the host of the “Ministry Coach Podcast” and the middle school pastor at North Coast Church based in Vista, California, roughly 30 miles north of San Diego. She is a coach to the coach-less, mentoring pastors and volunteers in student ministry who are looking for guidance and inspiration. Her husband Jeff believes in her so much that he encouraged her to let him produce her podcast and YouTube channel to help people just like you to be the best version of themselves. Kristen’s content is as good as any 5 star level coaching materials on the market…and plus it's FREE! Watch Kristen’s YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/3kVpsd9 We hope this episode provides you with new tools, spiritual and emotional support, and continued vision of what a long term student ministry can look like. Kristen speaks wisdom into everything she says and creates. Enjoy PART 1 of our interview! Learn more about Kristen Lascola here: https://bit.ly/3JM3GDh _______________________________ Looking for a new student min

Right when you are just over it... Whether it's for a moment, for the day, or you feel like you want to stop trying, pray this prayer and be still. "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." - 1 Samuel 3:9. God is listening and soon He will speak when you need It the most. _______________________________ 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) Edited by: Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

"Happiness is good medicine..." (Proverbs 17:22 ERV) Emotions are there for a reason. If we know what each emotion in our lives is there for then we are able to identify how to respond correctly to each emotion instead of reacting to the emotions in a way that they control us. Episode 76 of the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast is where this theme first came from, while interviewing a world changer who grew up in a violent alcoholic family. Maury and his wife grew up in homes of alcoholic parents. His healing knowledge of what it took to finally deal with it emotionally is worth taking notes on. Happy, Sad, Mad, or Glad… and sometimes Scared or Numb (according to OliveMe Counseling). "Good things happen to those who learn from their experiences…” (Proverbs 16:20 ERV) _______________________________ 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 Podcas

K.T. Griffiths is the author of “Shhh… Mental Illness: The Silent Disease”. In today’s episode, we are discussing a topic that many quickly write off or ignore all together. We try to keep mental illness quiet, because it’s sensitive and hard for many people to understand. Everybody seems have an opinion, even if they’ve never had to experience it directly. Friends reject you. while others will embrace you for the long-haul. You will find out who your friends are when dealing with this personal pain. If you aren’t going through this, you probably have a friend or family member who is. According to Romans 8:18, the sufferings that we go through now are nothing compared to the glory that we will receive. When you go through the pain of a child who is hurting in any way, you can breathe and fight for that child even if it takes the rest of your life. Thank you youth workers, parents, grandparents, and volunteers. Thank you for fighting the fight for these and those who cannot fight for themselves. You are true h

Rest is a gift from God! Our ego and insecurity makes us think that our abilities and strengths are more important than God's abilities and strengths in us. Some people rest too much. Some people rest too little. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE AND MORE: 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) Edited by: Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

In this episode, we dive into the first chapter of my book “Burn Up, Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” plus much more! Get your copy on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3jzwELe We discuss… Using the gifts God has given you. Looking for the good works that God has prepared in advance for you to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Why “NO” is better answer than “yes” Be encouraged, go long in your calling, and stay STRONG! _______________________________ CLICK HERE FOR MORE YWOF PODCAST EPISODES: 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) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

NEVER RETREAT UNLESS GOD SAYS TO RETREAT… ALWAYS CHARGE AHEAD! If you are in your position of leadership, then this episode is for you! We discuss some direct leadership strategies from a few of the very best current leaders and a leader from the past that you may never have heard of. In this episode… We talk about Jesus’s leadership style verses the religious leaders of His day. How a woman became the hero in Jesus’s story when others thought she should have been labeled a villain. You will learn about bravery in the face of projected loss and defeat. _______________________________ 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: http

Sydney to Melbourne, Australia is no little jog. 543.7 Miles according to this ultramarathon endurance race. So how do you prepare for a challenge like this? According to Cliff Young, who showed up in his overalls and boots, you spend a lifetime herding 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres of farmland by foot for 3 days at a stretch without sleep when the storms would roll in. They were intrigued and laughing at Cliff until the end of the race. But, how did this first time racer compete with these professional runners and change the way the race was run? This episode is all about the fragile ECOSYSTEM between students and student ministry. How can you keep the balance of life from failing or dying in your student ministry? How can you keep yourself and your family alive, while thriving in such a fragile environment? We dive deep into these questions and much more (Chapter 6 in my book, “BURN UP NOT OUT”.) in this episode! You can read “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/

Jason Mages is a brilliant person who consistently changes the environment around him. Top of his class academically, leader to his peers, and highly respected by the faculty. “The 3-2-1 Principle” is a Jason Mages original that he teaches high school students, as well as, business associates. Jason and I met when he was a 16 year old teenager and I was a youth pastor in the community of Eustis, Florida. In this episode we discuss: A life changing moment of disaster when a tornado tore through his home as a teenager. His experience as a student in my youth ministry in the early 1990s. Missions that he helped lead as a teenager. My memorable encounter with his discipleship leader at Florida State University. The 3 principles: Serve Others First - Own It - Repeat Tips for youth workers from the point of view of the student. Enjoy this valuable interview with Jason Mages and we hope it continues to fuel your student ministry fire! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq ___________