2026 is right around the corner and we are heading into one of the busiest seasons of the year. How can we head into the season and end 2025 well? In this episode, I share 5 things to remember and maybe implement to end 2025 well.
Let's find joy in the remainder of the year!
Do you ever wish you had a local community of kids ministry leaders to chat with? The podcast guest today, Andrae Jones, wanted that, too. So he created it. Andrae believes in the importance of community so he built a community for kids ministry leaders in the DFW area that choose collaboration instead of competition.
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Connect with Adrae:
@draejones
Joining us on the podcast today is Areo Donahue, the creator behind God's Greenhouse from Minno.
Areo has a passion to reach preschoolers with the big Gospel story as a former kids ministry leader and now a tv show creator!
In this episode, we talk about how to plant seeds of the Gospel through play, songs, and bite-sized truths.
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Can you even reach a point of having too many volunteers? My friend and podcast guest, Meghan Graham reached that point. Is this episode she shares how one culture shift changed the volunteer culture of the entire church.
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In today's episode I talk to Sandra Peoples about her new book, Accessible Church. We talk about the importance of creating ministries that are accessible for all kids and families. You will love the practicality of this conversation and how wise & helpful Sandra is!
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On this week's episode I am joined by my friend Tanya Rinella. Tanya is the Kid's Ministry Pastor at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa, CA. Tanya has been in her role for only 2 years and has so much experience coming into her role and changing different elements while bringing her team along with her.
She shares so much of her experience and encouragement as she took a ministry and continues to make changes for the better!
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Two weeks ago we planted a church and I've been bringing you along with me as I build a kids ministry from the ground up. In today's episode I share about the long awaited launch day, what I am learning about myself, and what I am working on next.
My friend Christen Clark is back on the podcast today and we are talking about how to create the perfect large group. Whatever type of program you are running on Sunday, Christen offers so much wisdom on how to capture the kids attention and keep it!
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Creating Milestones That Matter Course
Crowd Control Online Course USE CODE MINISTRY CIRCLE FOR $5 off!
Have you ever wanted a resource that you can go to with all your kids ministry questions?
Well, my new friend and today’s podcast guest David Reneau wrote a new book that I truly believe will be that kind of resource. David is the Lead Pastor of Encounter Church and with over 17 years of experience in ministry, most of it in kids, he has developed a passion to help others lead in their churches well. His new book, Next Level Kidmin: The Children’s Pastors practical guide to building a thriving ministry releases in on September 16.
In this episode, David and I talk about his new book and how kids ministry leaders can continue to learn and grow as ministry leaders.
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Our friend Becca Harris is back on the Kids Ministry Circle podcast and we are talking all things Preteens.
Are you working to create a plan to better disciple the 4th, 5th, & 6th graders in your ministry? Hear from Becca Harris how her staff team is building an environment for deeper discipleship and more intentional relationships specifically for preteens.
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Gen Z Survey (Future of NextGen Leader)
Is your ministry all fun with not relationships? Maybe it is all relationships but no fun. I think there is a middle ground that has both fun and discipleship. My guest today, Justyn Smith, has a new book out to help Kids Ministry leaders find that balance. Listen to all the ways we can learn from leaders like Walt Disney and Mr. Rogers.
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Kids Ministry Circle Fall Cohort
Connect with Justyn:
@pastorjustyn
Today’s episode feels very timely. For many of us, we are in the middle of a season change. We are putting away our VBS costumes and gearing for the launch of the fall season. My guest today is Angie Hooie and together we talk about burnout. I know that feels like a hot topic word, but I feel like these feelings of being overwhelmed, overworked and under equipped often show up when our expectations around the next season seem to be unmet. Angie brings so much encouragement and practical steps to take if you to prevent burnout or if you find yourself in a hard season.
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Have you ever been stumped when it comes to planning out your kids worship set? How can we keep the kids engaged and help them understand the importance of musical worship?
Our guest today, Dylan Arms, is going to help unravel all of those in our episode today. Dylan is a Worship Pastor, musical artist, and a new dad. He helps us see that worship does matter and that we can create a space for all kids to thrive.
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The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast is BACK!
After our Summer break, we are back and I am picking up right where I left off with Building a Kids Ministry Part 2.
It's been a summer of building a kids ministry for a church launching in September and I am filling you in on what I've been working on, new resources we are launching, and my ministry motto.
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In this special episode of the Kids Ministry Circle podcast, I am sharing some big news on the next season! Hear the news, wha I am working on, and how you can join in on the fun!
Let's build a Kids Ministry!
It’s another week, with another episode where I learn something new about how to teach kids about God and His Word. I am so excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Mary Wiley. Mary is a mom, kids ministry volunteer, author, and a publisher for B&H publishing. Her latest book is called Discovering the Bible: A Kid's Guide to Reading and Understanding God's Word and just wait until you hear how she uses this book in her own church. I was instantly hooked.
Together, we talk about helping kids understand the importance and authority of scripture. In our culture today, kids are tempted to look everywhere for truth and we want to help this next generation of kids know that they can turn to the only thing that is True forever, God’s Word.
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It's time for another pep talk. VBS, Kids Camp, or whatever you have planned for Summer programming may be in full swing or right around the corner and we could all probably use some encouragement.
In this episode, I share 5 things that you can focus on or remember during VBS.
I am cheering you on. To God be the glory!
I have heard from countless leaders about the struggle of the preteen years in Kids Ministry. They aren’t quite ready for student ministry, but they are searching for deeper discipleship opportunities. I was even asked a few weeks ago if I knew of anyone creating curriculum or content for preteen girls and I am so excited to introduce you to someone who is doing just that and she just happens to be neighborhood! Janna Widdifield is the founder of Vessels.
Today we talk about preteen girls and what they need from the church and how the chance to pour into young girls isn’t just a kids ministry opportunity. It’s a women’s ministry opportunity! You will love hearing what Janna has experienced as she has led this over the years and how we can come alongside young girls and equip them to follow Jesus all of their days.
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@godsvessels
Today on the podcast we have Barry & Jess Saylor from One Hope. They serve on the research team at One Hope and have led projects to help parents and ministry leaders better understand the generations, discipleship, and struggles of parenting.
In this episode, we deep dive their research on Generation Alpha. This research is important and impactful. Don't miss this conversation and download the entire research for yourself!
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We’ve all been keeping our eyes on the stats about Gen Z, Bible sales, and pop up revivals happening on college campuses, but what about Gen A?
Can we pinpoint what ministry leaders have done different this time? Is it possible to recreate what is happening now for the next generation?
Those are the questions we are asking in today’s podcast and I invited Shane Pruitt to talk all about it. Shane is an author, speaker, and Director of Next Gen for the North American Mission Board. We talk about cultural shifts, empowering gen Z, and how to disciple Gen A. Get your notes ready friends—this conversation is for sure a note-taking episode.
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IG: @shane_pruitt78
