Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable

Dorothy, Terrence, and Justin continue their dialogue with Justin Yau (JYau) by asking him questions related to youth ministry from the perspectives of a mentor, parent, and colleague. JYau answers candidly with wisdom and insight that encourages the panelists of God’s work in preparing the next generation to lead and make disciples.

In today’s episode, we unpack on-the-ground insights from Rooted’s 15th Annual conference in Lake Forest, Illinois. Join Dorothy, Justin, and Terrence for this reflection from the 2025 Rooted Conference. Recent Release: Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders (Monica Kim & Danny Kwon) Rooted Reservoir - Luke/Acts Curriculum (Free download for Lesson 1 guides) Houston, TX folks: Mark your calendars for a youth workers’ training day on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Effective youth ministry leadership is not about building the “perfect” team—it’s about cultivating a culture of trust, gospel-centered relationships, and shared mission. In this episode, join Dorothy, Justin, and Huey as these veteran youth pastors think and talk through organizational leadership teams in youth ministry. In Asian American church contexts, this means paying attention not only to organizational structure but also to cultural dynamics that shape how teams serve and grow together. Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! Sign-up and scope out the workshops.Sign-up for the Asian American Pre-Conference lunch gathering ($35). The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi Rooted Mentoring Programs

In this episode, as we ramp up for this year’s Rooted Conference, Huey, Terrence, and Dorothy share their past experiences with Rooted Conferences. We’ll hear what they’ve most enjoyed, appreciated, and gleaned. They’ll share what makes this conference distinct from other ministry conferences. Finally, we’ll share more details about our upcoming conference as we study The Church in Acts and explore a wide array of workshop topics. Gospel-Centered and Grace-Filled: Experiencing the Rooted Conference by Mary Beth Johnston The Importance of Ministry Friends by Connor Coskery Check out our Conference Webpage to sign-up and scope out the workshops. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, October 23-25! Follow on Instagram @therootedministry. Subscribe, rate, and review the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

So much happens in youth ministry during the summer months that it can become a busy blur. Terrence hosts this conversation with Justin and Dorothy, focusing on the specifics of retreat planning and the how-tos of establishing healthy personal rhythms. The three practitioners conclude with encouragements for youth ministers to take care of themselves so they can persevere joyfully for the long-run. RESOURCES Rooted Podcast: Maximizing Summer Youth Ministry: Balancing Activity and Rest Practical Advice for Planning Your Next Youth Retreat by Josh Hussung How I Handle Discipline on a Youth Retreat or Trip by Ryan Oakes The Practical and the Personal: Keeping Up With Students After a Trip or Retreat by Rebecca Lankford The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry!

This month's AAYM Roundtable delves into the crucial process of discerning and navigating the application journey when seeking a new role as a youth minister, director, or pastor. Our discussion centers on the lessons learned during this significant period of vocational transition, particularly the critical steps involved before accepting a position. This episode, the first in a series, specifically focuses on the essential considerations for identifying and evaluating healthy church environments as a key aspect of the discernment process. We will explore the characteristics of thriving ministry contexts and offer practical guidance for candidates as they prayerfully consider their next steps in youth ministry leadership. Resources: Follow @therootedministry Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! If you are new to family ministry, check out our Family Ministry Mentoring Program. Subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Mentorship matters, especially for youth ministers and leaders in their first 3 years of ministry. In this episode of the Asian-American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Terrence interviews 3 gifted mentees of the inaugural Rooted Asian-American Mentorship Cohort who are 9 months into their 1-year journey. They share valuable insights and reflections from their experiences that highlight the impact this cohort has made for personal and pastoral growth.