Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

By the time you hear this…Thanksgiving for this year has passed. Now, we are on our way to Christmas and the New Year! Christmas is about new beginnings. Jesus was a new beginning in time and space that God had planned a long time before Christmas on Earth ever happened.  It’s also about doing the right thing, not the safe thing. And I am not talking about making things dangerous for you, your staff, and students. Safety is a priority. “Not safe” meaning… by challenging their comfort zones in letting God in to change their lives. That’s scary enough on its own! In this episode, I reminisce on my craziest Christmas memory as a teen (Christmas Fireball), my best Christmas memories, and much more! We also dive into many tips for your ministry during the holiday season. Happy Holidays and let’s get things started! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________   EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The O

So you want to have an effective student ministry, but you want to stay small? Well you can! If you are willing to GO DEEP… WHAT!!! Many of us are afraid of the big fish that might challenge us in ways we just might not want to be challenged. Dr. Jay Strack (Founder of Student Leadership University), would say that we need to teach our students to be leaders and show them that they can learn to swim with the sharks. Students would have their first meeting in the underwater tunnel looking into the shark tank at Seaworld. Once you swim with sharks, your fear level shrinks, and everything else looks easy or at least easier. You realize that many things are possible that you never thought were possible before. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” - Matthew 4:19 NLT So keep diving deep to discover who God has designed to build a lasting student ministry in your church. The next generation is depending on you and God is waiting for you to take a swim in the deep e

This is our second time interviewing Maury Buchanan. Maury is the Founder of Mission Discovery: Short Term Missions and has hosted thousands of students / adults all around the world. In this episode, we discuss: Maury’s latest trip to Bulembu, Eswatini in South Africa. A thrilling encounter with wildlife while on Safari. Passing along his position of leadership within the organization post retirement. So much more… Enjoy this amazing story! This may or may not be your next destination, but you will receive more than you bargained for by listening to this episode. Welcome to a life well lived and still living! You can connect with Maury at: maurybuchanan@gmail.com Get involved with Mission Discovery at: https://www.missiondiscovery.org/ _____________________________________________________________________ CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _____________________________________________________________________   EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug

Being ON MISSION is not as romantic as it sounds. In fact, a lot of the time its just plain lonely and sometimes worse! "Believe in the Mission" is what one of Tim Tebow's shirts says. Beth Moore, in her address to over 70,000 College age students at the Passion Conference in 2017, stated, “All of you will be affected by the Gospel of Jesus Christ at this conference, but some of you will be Infected. It will turn you upside down from what you thought would make you happy. You are going to want to lock it down and give it a definition. At least that way people will not think that you are out of your ever loving mind!” Enjoy this episode and stay On Mission! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: 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://hypeddit.com/the808/thisisthe808) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Reco

While climbing a snow capped volcano, the climber asks the Sherpa, “Can you get me to the volcano’s summit?” The Sherpa replies, “Yes. If you will follow me completely, stay on my path, and do everything I do." The climber asks, "What happens if I don't?" The Sherpa answers with, ”You will die." My takeaway? Trust the Sherpa (ha ha)! Now that is serious leadership and what you do in ministry is just...that...serious! Two things you must know to be successful and impactful: 1. Wear the Right Equipment. 2. Follow someone who knows the way with an impeccable track record. In this episode, I tell another story from one of my student ministry trips and the result of following the wrong people, but having the right equipment. (Ephesians 6:10-18) The Whole Armor of God, in particular the helmet. We are in spiritual battles all the time, but I believe most of us dismiss the fact that we who serve are a threat. Therefore, always being challenged and tempted to take a wrong turn. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: ht

A secret service agent came to meet with our high school group one Sunday and talked about his experience with identifying real vs counterfeit money. The agent mentioned that they spend more time learning about real currency and a less time on counterfeit... Why? Well… when you know the real thing, it's much easier to spot a counterfeit! “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking... The Lord…He hears the prayers of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.” - Proverbs 15:28-31 (NLT) Here are a few notes from this episode: It's hardest to hear criticism from those who know us well, but if we could accept criticism without negative emotion, we would become much wiser. We could use this criticism to become better! Laughter and smiling effects the brain. According to research it makes us 31% smarter and 31% more productive. Remember Great speakers start by making people feel g

Hank Schneider is one of the most loyal volunteers I ever had on my student ministry staff. Hank tells us all about... Some life threatening and heartfelt missions trip moments. His experience as a foster parent. Working in the school system. College Football And more! This episode is packed full of stories that will inspire and fuel your ministry journey! 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://www.hypeddit.com/the808/thisisthe808) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

I was in San Diego, California for a conference and one of the speakers began with this prayer, “Your words in my mouth Lord. Not my words, but Your words.” That conference was many years ago, but I have never forgotten the impact of that prayer on my life. It came from Jeremiah 1:9. This episode is about making sure we are building God's Kingdom and not letting our ego get in the way of His plans for our life. Making sure that our integrity stays intact and that we are concerned for His reputation and not our own reputation. When we focus on God's reputation good and great things happen. When we are concerned for our reputation, we have entered a very dangerous space and time. HIS WORDS - HIS REPUTATION 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://www.hypeddit.com/the808/thisisthe808) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

Dr. Fred Hill was my pastor since I was in middle school. I came to know the love of God for the first time through him and his ministry. All ministries that God has led me to and allowed me to lead are because Dr. Hill said “Yes” to God when asked if he would become the pastor at our church. Dr. Hill was also a professor at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina where he taught educational psychology. He was a man of great integrity and humility. He loved God and he loved his family. I am forever grateful for his example of God's Love. 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://www.hypeddit.com/the808/thisisthe808) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards Graphics by: Ryan James Edwards

Happiness is something we need in order to be smarter and a clear state of thought. According to research, when we are happy, we become 31% more productive. Some researchers even say we become smarter. The business world understands something’s about being “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” as Jesus talked about to his disciples. As the church in student and adult ministries, I think we often make things more complicated than God ever intended. The topic of this episode came to me after watching a certain entrepreneur in one of her messages on quick tips: Codie Sanchez - 2 things I wish someone had told me before starting a business! 1. Make a list of 3 happy places. 2. In order to win, you must surround yourself with people  that are smarter than you and understand what it is you do… but better! These are things I found out the hard way after many years of ministry and just plain life.   EPISODE CREDITS: Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by

PEOPLE PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR HEART IS! What’s inside this episode? Seems like churches think student ministry is less valuable than adult ministry. How can we change the tide from devaluing students and their families? If the world spends billions of dollars on winning over teenagers to buy what they advertise, then why does the church think they are not worth that kind of investment? How can we invest as the church in every effort to win, disciple, and sacrifice our lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to train young leaders to dream and serve now before another organization, group, or regime steals them away first? Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion Conference, challenges college students to give over $1 million for a world wide mission to save millions with clean water! Did they rise to the Challenge? Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”. EPISODE CREDITS: Email us at: youthwo

Jim Halstead started Go and Tell Ministries after working with students and discipling them for many years. Jim is a man who started life without a clue about who God is. A young man who did not grow up going to church. When I first met Jim, I had been 5 years into a student ministry that would end up being my longest term student ministry position. We would meet together with youth pastors and volunteers as a district in ministry department for the southeast and helped to create one of three locations for Challenge 90 Evangelical Free Church of America. I found out just recently that Jim would pray specifically for our student ministry and family for many years, while he was located in Jacksonville, Florida and I was in Central Florida. Jim has discipled so many students that are now adults, supporting him to help other workers do the same thing. Go and Tell Ministries: Jim has a story that will inspire you to see far beyond the next few weeks and months into your student ministry. Maybe even a glimpse far i

“It’s later than you think” is a line in the movie “The Adam Project”, which is repeated several times. The movie is Sci-Fi, but even though it mentions time travel, the real story was about loving the people we are responsible for. God sees loving those we are responsible for as more important than the ministry he has called us too. In many cases, the ministry we have called ourselves to, may not always be where God was directing us. I personally have been involved in some form of volunteer or full time ministry since I was 15 years old. I found I was sold out to Jesus as Lord and spending time with Him above all else.  Not trying to do more, but trying to be in the presence of God more. By doing so, the people I love and am responsible for feel at peace and authentically loved by me. You may feel you have “missed the wave of opportunity” to love those closest to you the way Jesus loved. John Maxwell says, to not worry, “another wave is coming”. Stop grieving and start loving! Do the NEXT RIGHT THING. “It's

3 things that will change how others receive you and your ministry… Be Heard. Be Seen. Be Gone. I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time making sure to set a good impression with people. Is it that maybe in certain enviornments we spend too much time attempting to do so? I was a Campus Life director for an area in Central Florida for 6 years. One of the many valuable things Youth for Christ / Campus Life taught us was how to quickly make a good impression on people and leave before you over stay your welcome. Be Heard. Be See. Be Gone. This was something that would ring true for years. This piece of wisdom allowed me to be in places I needed to be and add valuable. You will bring excitement, encouragement, and a bit of mystery if you follow these tips! People will say good things about you, because you gave them impact without disrupting their environment. Be Heard. Be Seen. Be Gone. This phrase will take you a long way in public as a ministry leader… use it to build influence! _____________________

Wish you could change the outcome of a meeting or conversation before it even gets started? What if someone could teach you how to position yourself in order to positively enhance your interactions with others? Seems like we all should know these kinds of things. Well… someone does! This person has influenced me and many others. Even though this person has not been a guest on this podcast (...yet), in this episode I talk about her research and many other things I learned that have been extremely useful to my ministry interactions. Her name is Vanessa Van Edwards and she is a behavioral investigator with Science of People and the author of “Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People”. In a previous episode I talked about being “…wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” - Matthew 10:16. There is more in each one of us that God has placed there to be like Him and He is the biggest influencer of all time and space. Be an influencer like Jesus. It’s in you already! ___________________________________________

Kevin is a former Fire Chief and trumpet student of mine back in my hometown. I was just out of college and he was a high schooler at that time. We have stayed in touch all these years later and he is now one of my go to prayer warriors. When Kevin prays, God moves into action. While on the job as a Firefighter he had encountered many miracles. In this episode, Kevin talks about a few of these miracles, as well as, the tragedy of his home being destroyed by fire at a young age. Firemen were there for him and his family. Ministry comes from places we don’t expect it! CREDITS: Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 (Listen to more at: hypeddit.com/the808/thisisthe808) Edited by: Ryan James Edwards at Secret Roots Music House Recorded by: Doug Edwards

In our adolescents, we believe we can do anything! Then one day someone or somebody starts telling us to “be realistic”. They say we are not funny, not creative, not smart, not pretty, not likable, or not strong enough… and the list goes on and on. It grows on us and forms us into people who settle in all areas of life. We start believing the lies that we are not... And yet God has always told us WE ARE! We are made in His image! We are fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:13,14 That if we just believe we can say to a mountain move and it will move, that in Christ Jesus, God has created in advance good works for YOU to do. - Ephesians 2:10 Not for someone else to do, but for YOU TO DO! How many tragic individual loses could have been avoided if we believed that “I Am Enough”? It took a secular therapist to teach people that the human mind is not complex, but very simple. The mind simply needs to remember that “I AM ENOUGH”. When a therapist could not help a certain suicide patient, the therapist called

If I had known about these certain key word changes in the beginning of my ministry, many of the conflicts I experienced would have had a much different outcome! Negotiate… seems like such a mean spirited word. Many people avoid it at any cost and for good reason. It used to mean that you could argue better than someone else or at least until you could wear them down enough to give you what you wanted. People who argue well are people many of us avoid, because they usually win. They leave those of us who do not like negotiating feeling like losers. We tend to see them as heartless thieves who steal our hopes and dreams. What if I told you the word “Negotiate” has become word of kindness, that with a couple of changes in your vocabulary, would make people want to hear your needs and dreams? What if people actually started listening to your thoughts and desires? Then with a simple word change…  make them want to give you the things you need and desire. Instead of using the word “WHY” (which is a fighting word),

As long as I can remember there being a Mission Discovery (student missions organization), I remember Jimmy Rivera being there. He was at every missions trip I took my students on with Mission Discovery along with Mission Discovery founder, Maury Buchanan. Jimmy is the guy you traveled with if you wanted to go to Tecate, Mexico. If you wanted to go to Kenya, Africa, you went with Jimmy. Among many other trips to other countries and through out the USA.  He is dedicated his life to helping adolescents and students get a closer look at what it is to serve those less fortunate to themselves. He has sacrificed along with his family many luxuries in life to make sure people around the world have homes, food, medicine, and most importantly a relationship with God. Jimmy is one of the kindest, toughest men I know! He definitely would not say this about himself, because he’s too humble and a true real servant along with his wife and children. He is Royalty in Heaven and believe me… Heaven knows his name. Please liste

Student missions trips change students lives, their families lives, and will change your life forever! They give students a broader and better world view very quickly. They see the person of Jesus Christ’s teachings in action! It becomes real to them while building shelter for the poor, feeding them, clothing them, praying with them, and sharing the Love of God with them.   Student Missions can seem financially out of reach, but I will explain in this episode how you can make these life changing trips a reality for you with God’s help. Not easy… but easier than you might imagine!   In this episode, we discuss: The 1st missions trips our student ministry took. They were not perfect, but they set the foundation for the future of our student missions opportunities. Afraid to go? Seems to impossible to achieve? We will cover some of these fears and doubts. Hold on and take notes if you want to take action! It’s never to early to start planning a student mission trip.   Connect with Mission Discovery at: mission