My Third Decade In Youth Ministry

Thanks to Jordan, Erin, Tim, Monica, Kevin, and Anonymous for the great questions. I’d love to do more of these in the future, but I need questions. You can submit those by going to http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com and click on the submit questions tab in the right corner. You can also email derry@mythirddecade.com or DM me through The Twitter, Instagram or Facebook Page.Mentioned in the show:Parenting Through the Phases Curriculum (so good!): https://store.thinkorange.com/parenting-through-the-phases.html DYM University (great way to train): http://dymuniversity.com The Super Sexy Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/super-sexy-super-pack Are you a Download Youth Ministry Member? check out the September Freebie in Sidekick for a fun “Poser”-style game I made called “Celebrity Mood Match.” If you aren’t a member, you should become one today! https://dymmembership.com/ If you are attending DYM200, let me know. I’d love to connect with you!The Sponsor: http://givecentral.org The Podcast on

Definitely my most controversial episode title to date, but it’s not as scandalous as it seems. Kory and Alison Lantz are a former student and intern who did get married. Kory was a part of the youth group and graduated in 2005. Ali came on as an intern in 2007. The two of them met in their college years. Today they lead an amazing youth ministry in South Bend, Indiana called Transformation Ministries.In this episode we talk about the impact of being involved in a ministry marked by longevity, the challenges of sticking it out in urban ministry, the beauty and brokenness in the communities we serve, and about 20 other incredibly valuable insights for you.Check out Kory and Ali’s ministry at https://www.transformation58.com/ or follow them on Instagram at @transformation.ministries If you haven’t checked out all the other fantastic episodes the DYM Podcast Network has recently released on Camp, do it!And speaking of the DYM Podcast Network, it looks like someone trolled us all by leaving a several one star rat

This is a bonus episode. I recorded an interview with one of our Seniors talking about for a podcast we do with our church. In it, he talked about the impact our Summer Camps have had on him. I asked the student (Dawson) if he would be okay with me sharing our conversation with my youth ministry friends, and he gladly agreed.If you haven’t checked out all the other fantastic episodes the DYM Podcast Network has recently released on Camp, do it!And speaking of the DYM Podcast Network, it looks like someone trolled us all by leaving a several one star ratings overnight. If you’d be up for helping us out by heading to any show you’ve enjoyed and leave an honest five star rating/review SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR AN UPCOMING Q&A SHOW:Email derry@mythirddecade.com The Sponsor: http://givecentral.org The Podcast on the Web: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.comTHE PLACE for YM Resources: http://downloadyouthministry.com The Socials:Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Insta

Look, I get it. Most ministries do not have the luxury of hiring on administrative staff. However, we all need and have those behind the scenes/detail people who make our run smoother and look far better than it would if we were running it on our own.Janelle Prenkert (my wife) and Kristy Mikel (a former student and mentee of my wife who turned into her best friend) are the two primary Administrative Assistants I’ve had over my time in my role. We sit down together and talk about our stories, why they love what they do, and best practices between the up front and behind the scenes team members.Kristy is now on the mission field in Thailand and doing amazing things to empower the underprivileged and marginalized along the Thai/Burma border. For more information on Outpour Movement and specifically the Braverly go to the following places.Outpour Movement: http://outpourmovement.comBravery: http://braverly.comFollow Braverly on Instagram @BeBraverly SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR AN UPCOMING Q&A SHOW:Email derry@m

Meet Brad Bullock, one of the first students to say I was like a father to him (I was 25 at the time)! Brad Bullock is a former student who met his wife in our youth group. He is now the youth pastor at Pathway Community Church in Fort Wayne, IN. For more info about Pathway go here: http://pccfw.orgTo connect with Brad go here: http://pccfw.org/brad-bullock/ Check out this episode of The Morning After Ministry to hear me talk with Tim and Andrew about Summer Camp (and DYM and Disney World): https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/episode-9-a-conversation-w-sam-pettersen-west-side-safety-harbor-story-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ The Sponsor: http://givecentral.org The Podcast on the Web: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.comTHE PLACE for YM Resources: http://downloadyouthministry.com The Socials:Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @mythirddecadeCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28

EPISODE 014 – MEET MY REPLACEMENT(Release July 5)Show Notes: Meet Tim Veenstra, the guy who took my job, and keeps taking it! We are consistently coached to multiply ourselves or make ourselves replaceable as a leader in youth ministry, but what do you do when you meet the person you believe is supposed to take your position, but you don’t sense it’s time for you to step away from the church. I have been the one stepping in to replace (hear more about that in Episode 08 – Meet My Mentor), and I have been the one stepping to the side to be replaced by my guest on this episode.Tim Veenstra is the Student Ministries Pastor at Nappanee Missionary Church. He started as a Summer intern between his Junior and Senior year of college. Upon graduation from Indiana Wesleyan University, he came on in a 2 year transition to ministry internship at NMC, and after one year, he was hired on as the High School Pastor. Tim has now been at NMC for 6 years. I’m confident you will be encouraged and challenged from our story and hi

Special thanks to my daughter Katylynn for the Ad read.Be sure to check out our sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.orgComing to you on location from one of my most favorite places in the world, I talk about how you can develop healthy traditions as well as share some of our specific traditions inside our ministry.Check out the other amazing podcasts in the DYM Podcast Network and submit questions: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com THE PLACE for YM Resources: http://downloadyouthministry.comThe Socials:Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @mythirddecadeCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28 Email: derry@mythirddecade.com

Special thanks to my daughter Katylynn for the Ad read.Be sure to check out our sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.orgEvery once in a while I want to share what we do in our ministry and why we do it. The hope is not for you to copy and paste what we do, but hopefully pull some principles and ideas that could be transferred to your context.In this episode, I share about 5 keys to how we do our cross-cultural missions trips.For more on the Before, During and After approach, check out this article from Kara Powell, Brad Griffin and David Livermore: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/articles/if-we-send-them-they-will-grow-maybe Great books on Short Term Missions or engaging Students in Missions:Deep Justice Journeys by Kara Powell: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Justice-Journeys-Leaders-Guide/dp/0310286034 What Can We Do by David Livermore and Terry Linhart (I was interviewed in part of this book): https://www.amazon.com/What-Can-We-Practical-Conscience/dp/0310670357/ Check out the other amazing podcasts in t

20+ years of youth ministry comes with it’s share of struggles and failures. In this episode I walk through four failures in how I approached ministry at different points along the way. 1.Not catching the vision to invest in and empower leaders.2.Dumping instead of delegating.3.Siloing our Student Ministry.4.Letting my ministry = my identity.I’m grateful that I’ve been able to identify these failures and grow through them. Check out the other amazing podcasts in the DYM Podcast Network and submit questions: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com THE PLACE for YM Resources: http://downloadyouthministry.comThe Socials:Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @mythirddecadeCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28 Email: derry@mythirddecade.com Special thanks to our sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.org

Special thanks to my son Moses for the Ad read.The rivalry with Josh on Twitter:https://twitter.com/derryprenkert/status/936744550181326848 https://twitter.com/derryprenkert/status/938203032877191168 Every once in a while I want to share what we do in our ministry and why we do it. The hope is not for you to copy and paste what we do, but hopefully pull some principles and ideas that could be transferred to your context.In this episode, 1.I answer a question about a female pastor ministering to male students.2.I answer a question about hiring young staff.3.I talk about what we do to transition our 6th Grade into the Student Ministry world.This episode’s recommendation: The Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast.http://youthministrysherpas.com/ Check out the other amazing podcasts in the DYM Podcast Network and submit questions: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com THE PLACE for YM Resources: http://downloadyouthministry.comThe Socials:Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Inst

Special thanks to our sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.orgEvery once in a while I want to share what we do in our ministry and why we do it. The hope is not for you to copy and paste what we do, but hopefully pull some principles and ideas that could be transferred to your context.In this episode, I talk about Graduation season and what we do with our Seniors as a part of our Sticky Faith Initiatvie.Resources mentioned in this episode:Fuller Youth Institiutes Sticky Faith Resources: http://stickyfaith.orgMy Senior Super Pack (12 resources all tied to our Sticky Faith Bridge) https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/the-senior-super-pack*You can purchase the 12 resources individually or in one entire bundle at 50% the cost.THE BIG CONTEST DRAWING HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE! Congrats to our two winners…. (you have to listen to find out who they are)The Senior Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/the-senior-super-packThe Parents Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/parent-super-packTh

Special thanks to this episodes sponsor XP3 Curriculum from Orange: http://thinkorange.com/xp3s/ and, as always, Give Central: http://givecentral.org When it came to introducing you to my friends, it only made sense to start with my wife Janelle Prenkert. It also only made sense to have the second guest by my mentor Terry Bley. Terry is the one who brought me on staff at my church and willingly moved to the side to allow me to grow in leadership. He currently serves as the Life Development Pastor at Nappanee Missionary Church where is has been on staff since 1992 (yeah he’s been on staff at a church longer than a lot of you have been alive). Get ready to hear a great story of another guy’s journey of longevity as well as be challenged to be a multiplier. Terry talks a lot about internships. If you want to connect more with him, you can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TerryLBley THE BIG CONTEST DRAWING IS NEXT WEEK! I’m going to pick not one, but TWO winners through the Pick Me Game on the DY

Special thanks to this episodes sponsor XP3 Curriculum from Orange: It’s time for Phase 2 in the My Third Decade Universe. Phase 1 has been MY STORY… solo shows all centering around my journey of 20+ years in Student Ministry at the same church and lessons learned along the way. In Phase 2 you are going to meet MY PEOPLE… these episodes will be interviews with a variety of folks who have played into this journey of longevity. I can’t wait for you to meet them!It only made sense to start with the most consistent AND important individual in this journey… my wife Janelle Prenkert. Besides being a “youth pastors wife,” Janelle has her own story of long term Student Ministry and varying staff roles inside the profession. If you have are in ministry and are married, listen closely to hear some great insights, and then maybe pass this episode onto your spouse so he/she can enjoy it as well.THE BIG CONTEST CONTINUES. At the end of April I’m going to pick not one, but TWO winners through the Pick Me Game on the DYM Ga

Clout… say that word 10 times and it will sound really weird. I say it about 50 times in this episode as I talk about ways I was able to build up relational credibility and trust among key groups tied to my ministry life. I walked through a lot of stuff so here’s some lists to help you….Thanks to CJ for the question.Thanks to XP3 Curriculum for sponsoring this episode: http://thinkorange.com/xp3s/ Thanks to our Sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.org Check out the other podcasts in the DYM Network: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.comENTER TO WIN THE SUPER SUPER PACKAt the end of April I’m going to pick not one, but TWO winners through the Pick Me Game on the DYM Games App. Those winners will each win what I’ve dubbed the “Super Super Pack”... my three Super Packs. 30 total resources individually valued at over $200.The Senior Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/the-senior-super-pack The Parents Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/parent-super-pack The Super Sexy Super Pac

Daily balance in the Student Ministry world is a pipe dream, but balance can be found over a span of time. This episode draws from a blogpost you can read here: https://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/sprint-walk-rest/ Time for some giveaways!1st, if you submit a question (submit it here: and I read it on the show, you get a free download of the following month’s “Holiday or Not-a-day” game. For example, Kyle Creel is winning a download of the April version (available here: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/holiday-or-not-a-day-april 2nd is the BIG contest. At the end of April I’m going to pick not one, but TWO winners through the Pick Me Game on the DYM Games App. Those winners will each win what I’ve dubbed the “Super Super Pack”... my three Super Packs. 30 total resources individually valued at over $200.The Senior Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/the-senior-super-pack The Parents Super Pack: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/parent-super-pack The Super Sexy Super Pack: https://www.

If you think the past 21 years of Student Ministry at the same church have been filled with only Skittles, rainbows and ponies, be prepared for disappointment. The reality is ministry can get tough, tricky and lonely. We may want to quit or give up. I have Referenced in the Show:- Thanks to our sponsor Give Central: http://givecentral.org - Podcast Network Site: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com - What Happened/What's Next Missions Trip Debrief Resource: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/what-happened-whats-next Recommendations:The Disney Dish With Jim Hill: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disney-dish-with-jim-hill/id452620851?mt=2 ESPN's 30 for 30: https://30for30podcasts.com/ Reply All: https://www.gimletmedia.com/reply-all/ (start with the Episode "Long Distance")Disclaimer: These three podcasts are not faith-based. The language may get salty at times and there are beliefs/opinions shared that don't always reflect my personal faith/opinions. The Podcast on the Web (Follow Me):Facebook Pa

"With longevity comes the need to reinvent yourself." (thanks for the quote Jalen Rose) Last episode, we talked about ways I've transitioned my role inside my current church and youth ministry. This episode, we talk navigating life transitions and milestones that may create a need to "reinvent yourself." (and maybe, just maybe I landed the ending well this time)Recommendations:The Sticky Faith research with Fuller Youth Institute: http://stickyfaith.org Senior Super Pack on DYM: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/the-senior-super-pack The Podcast on the Web (Follow Me):Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @derryprenkertCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28 Email: derry@mythirddecade.com

What if you were able to transition your role inside your current church in order to stay there and stay in student ministry? You can, because I have done that. In this episode, I walk through 8 different roles I've held at my church (all inside the student ministryworld) and what brought on those transitions.My hope is that through sharing my story, you will be encouraged, challenged and/or inspired in your own student ministry story that could some day be measured in decades.Recommendations:The Just a Phase Project (from Orange) http://justaphase.com/ Sam Petterson's amazing Transition Videos available at his DYM author Page: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=78 The Podcast on the Web (Follow Me):Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @derryprenkertCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28

In this episode I explain why I might actually stink at youth ministry and may simply be a product of an incredible environment. I walk through three key factors that were present at my church that set me up for longevity, and some principles I think you can pull from my story.Recommendations:Join the DYM Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity Jeff Manion's awesome book: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Big-Think-Small-Extraordinary/dp/0310328578 The Podcast on the Web (Follow Me):Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @derryprenkertCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28

Welcome to... my podcast.In this episode you will get to know me, Derry Prenkert, and hear what the point of this podcast really is.Check out Nappanee, Indiana:The promo piece put out by the city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOtM2D5R_e0 A video made by our HSM students for an Outreach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ASJk9NdZ0 Check out Nappanee Missionary Church:The church website: http://www.nmc.churchA message from Pastor Dave Engbrecht conveying the church vision and mission: https://nmc.church/media/sermon-series/nmc101-our-mission-our-vision-our-values/ The Podcast on the Web (Follow Me):Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/mythirddecadeFollow on Twitter and Instagram @derryprenkertCheck out Derry's resources on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=28