Does every ministry need a catchy name? Should it match your church’s branding—or stand out on its own? And what if your youth group’s name already sounds like a dozen others? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’ll break down six essential questions to ask before naming—or renaming—your ministry or program, so you can … Continue reading 157: What’s in a Ministry Name?
156: Collaborating for Bigger Impact with Dan Lynch
Ever wondered how collaboration among churches can create a powerful outreach opportunity? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Dan Lynch about his faith journey and his experience guiding about 50 churches that collaborate every year for camp. They talk about what it takes to create an impactful, large-scale youth retreat with … Continue reading 156: Collaborating for Bigger Impact with Dan Lynch
155: Planning Ahead for Mission Trips
Mission trips can be life changing for students, but if they're not planned well, they can be disastrous. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve breaks down 3 crucial areas to focus on to set up our trips for the biggest impact. Links referenced in this episode: Save $25 off your Orange Conference 2025 … Continue reading 155: Planning Ahead for Mission Trips
154: Why Attend Conferences?
On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we're talking about one thing you can do to both connect with others and grow in your ministry: conferences. Steve shares 3 reasons why they're important where you can find them. Links discussed in this episode: Steve's list of youth leader conferences is at https://stevecullum.com/2024/11/04/youth-pastor-conferences-2025/ Save $25 … Continue reading 154: Why Attend Conferences?
153: Theology of Fun and Games with Mike McGarry
Games in student ministry—some love them, some avoid them, but could they actually be a key tool for deeper discipleship? On this episode, Steve talks with Mike McGarry about the theology of fun and games—why they matter, how they can open the door to meaningful conversations, and how to use them effectively in your ministry. … Continue reading 153: Theology of Fun and Games with Mike McGarry
152: Make it Middle School with Ashley Bohinc
Middle schoolers are full of energy, questions, and chaos—but they’re also at one of the most pivotal moments in their faith journey. So how can we better connect with them and create a ministry that truly meets them where they are? Ashley Bohinc has dedicated her life and ministry to helping churches do just that. … Continue reading 152: Make it Middle School with Ashley Bohinc
151: Unlocking Ministry Potential with Derry Prenkert
What if you could unlock a deeper understanding of how you work best in ministry? What if a simple tool could help you and your team thrive instead of just survive? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with veteran youth pastor and ministry coach Derry Prenkert about the power of ministry coaching, … Continue reading 151: Unlocking Ministry Potential with Derry Prenkert
150: Getting Students to Return
How do we keep students coming back to our ministry and our programs? What's going to help us open that front door really wide, but close that back door so that they don't escape and never experience the Christian community that we're creating in our student ministries? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about on … Continue reading 150: Getting Students to Return
149: Growing a Student Ministry
How do you grow a youth group? And what does that even mean? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve digs into what growth should look like and how we can shift our priorities to get there. It starts by shifting our focus away from program growth to growing students and the Kingdom in … Continue reading 149: Growing a Student Ministry
148: Highlights from 2024 Guests
We had some great guests in 2024, so on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we highlight some of the best moments from this year, including topics like: youth pastor compensation, empowering teenagers, anxiety, being fired, helping kids enter our student ministry, keeping students attention while teaching, using artificial intelligence, training the next generation, staying … Continue reading 148: Highlights from 2024 Guests