Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen

In this episode, Nick sits down with Chris Sasser to talk about a group that often gets overlooked in family ministry: parents of adult children. Chris shares how a hallway conversation with hurting parents at Port City Community Church led to the creation of Hopeful Parents—a ministry designed to support moms and dads navigating broken relationships, prodigal kids, faith struggles, and the emotional complexity of parenting in the empty-nest years.Chris and Nick explore why churches need to think beyond parenting kids and teenagers, how to create meaningful community for parents of adult children, and what it looks like to offer hope, care, and connection in one of the hardest seasons of family life.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and Chris Sasser’s return to the podcast01:06 – Chris shares an update on Port City Community Church and the Parent Network03:42 – Why partnering with parents looks different in every church context06:25 – The importance of having someone champion parent ministry08:29 – The story that sparked Port City’s ministry to parents of adult children10:53 – Launching Hopeful Parents and the unexpected response from families12:52 – Why parents of adult children often carry hidden pain and uncertainty16:10 – Helping parents shift from parenting a child to relating adult-to-adult18:56 – Stories of grief, healing, and hope from parents walking through loss and prodigal seasons20:26 – How marriage, in-laws, and changing family dynamics affect parent-adult child relationships22:25 – What Hopeful Parents gatherings actually look like in practice24:49 – Why community and vulnerability are the real catalysts for healing26:28 – Chris shares resources for parents and church leaders, including Bags and the Parent Network27:55 – Final encouragement for churches to care for empty nesters and parents of adult children

In this episode, the legendary Jim Wideman takes time to share about volunteer recruitment and building a strong culture within volunteer teams.Jim WidemanConnect with Jim on Facebook | Twitter | InstagramJimWideman.comClearstreamClearstream works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. Find out more at Clearstream.io.Episode NotesNOTES COMING SOONAction ItemsConnect your volunteers for funSet a volunteer recruitment – talk to – quotaOne step to improve your volunteer cultureMinistry Boost Coaching is back!Click here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost.Get Exclusive Content from this Week's EpisodeUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. That email will also include something exclusive related to the podcast that’s not found in the post or in the episode.Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or Tune In radio. Keep your friends and co-workers up-to-date as well by sharing it with them via email or social media.Special Sponsor: ClearstreamThis episode is sponsored by Clearstream. Clearstream.io works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. You can get started on a free-trial, and if you're with a new church plant under 1 year old can use Clearstream free for 12 months.

In this episode, I am joined by Carl Barnhill and Jason Noble to discuss digital media within children's ministry as well as some tips, tricks, and best practices within a digital strategy. Carl and Jason curate and provide resources through multiple sites including 1230kids.com and TwelveThirty.media.Carl Barnhill & Jason NobleConnect with Carl and Jason on these websites: 1230Kids | TwelveThirty MediaClearstreamClearstream works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. Find out more at Clearstream.io.Episode NotesStruggles for kid's ministry leaders and what has changed:A search for what to do in the “new normal” after COVIDHow to reach kids and familiesFinding digital solutions and mediaTeaching/Lead Pastors only need the mediaKid's ministry leaders need curriculum and mediaVolunteers need supportLeaders are tired and worn outLooking for plug-n-play solutionsHow to do ministry moving forwardDiscipleship for kidsWhat should online kids' ministry look like?People are hungry for connection and relationshipThis will trump whatever is onlinePromote family timePromote a strong relationship for each kid with another caring adultPlan to have both an in-person and an online experience (not as a replacement, but something to take them further)Most important equipment to invest in?Dedicated iMac computer (new or refurbished)Suite license to a presentation software (Media Shout or ProPresenter are options)TVs to present on (but if you can't do that, then a projector works)Action ItemsCheck out 1230 Kids and TwelveThirty MediaEvaluate your digital strategyStreamline your digital process – with the right gearMinistry Boost Coaching is back!Click here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost.Multiply Ministry Conference – All-Access Pas

This episode features Yancy Richmond, Dove Award-winning singer and songwriter as she shares what discipling kids in worship looks like. She has led and championed kid's worship for many years and shares a unique perspective about focusing on creating moments to teach about why worship is so important to our faith. Yancy also joined the Multiply Ministry online conference and this contains a section of a Zoom interview with other Ministry Boost members.YancyConnect with Yancy on Facebook | Instagram | WebsiteClearstreamClearstream works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. Find out more at Clearstream.io.Episode NotesThoughts from the conversation:Question: How are you developing the “pallettes” of your teams to hunger and crave times of real and authentic worship?When leading worship, think about what you are asking them to doMotions or No motionsDancing or just singingSinging out-of-date or new songsFreshen up your playlist and get feedback on your current set listsTake time in your services to explain the WHY and HOW we worshipThink about who is leading worship and whether kids will follow themQuestion: Who are you catering to?Younger or older?Boys or girls or both?Those who like specific kinds of musicAction ItemsFreshen up your playlist and get feedbackExplain the WHY and HOW of worship regularlyBoys CAN and WILL participate – aim high when you program**BONUS: If you plan on attending the Orange Conference, use the discount code BLEVINSPOD to receive 10% off ticketsMinistry Boost Coaching is back!Click here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost.Multiply Ministry Conference – All-Access PassClick here to get the All-Access Pass to get access to the Multiply Ministry Conference replays of every main session and breakout. Over 30 sessions of content about empowering volunteers.Get Exclusive Content from this Week's EpisodeUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. That email will also include something exclusive related to the podcast that’s not found in the po

In this episode, Steve Cullum shares his experiences about growing a student ministry in the midst of the pandemic and he gives some practical steps to prepare for this type of growth. Steve also breaks down some of the changes they experimented with to enhance their youth programs.Steve CullumConnect with Steve through Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | PodcastMultiply Ministry ConferenceClick here to get your free ticket to this upcoming conference on August 25-26 with Ministry Boost.Episode NotesNoticeable trends in Student MinistryJunior High was quicker to drop off during the pandemic, especially with virtual communitiesThe hand-off from kids' to student ministry was lost in the pandemicHowever, depending on the area of the country, some high school ministries have been outpaced by junior high30-35% of new growth has been due to invites from friendsThe first groups to check out online were the first groups to jump back into on-campus gatherings (longing for in-person connection and community)You can virtually attend many churches anytime, but few things replace true relationshipsWhat has really changed?Perspective – the WHY question (Why are we doing things this way?)What do camps look like for you?Typically would partner with other churches to do Winter Camps throughout ColoradoInstead, planned Winter Camp experience on campus, and were at 125% of the number they had the previous year (and planned it 6 weeks out)Students all stayed overnight at the church (but with an option for parents to pick up)Action ItemsGather students in smaller groups now during summerFocus on students inviting friendsEmpower volunteers to own more – Plan for a big launch this fallMinistry Boost Membership + New CoursesClick here to check out the amazing benefits of membership with Ministry Boost.Get Exclusive Content from this Week's EpisodeUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. That email will also include something exclusive related to the podcast that’s not found in the post or in the episode.Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe butt

In this episode, Gerald Fadayomi is transparent about the anxiety that has surrounded his life and the seasons of adversity that ministry leaders face, as well as key concepts for ministry to 18-30-year-olds. He has also shared some of his personal perspectives on the topics of racial injustice and the current tensions that surround racism and the church through his social media platforms.Gerald FadayomiConnect with Gerald through Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.Ministry BoostCheck out our courses and register now at MinistryBoost.org.NotesGoals of Gerald's new book, When Life Gives You Lemons:Slow down and ask the right questionsRedefine GOODKey questions from the book: What's in my control?God's control over the good and the bad and anxiety:God is sovereign and He redeems ALL THINGSWe cannot attribute every bad thing (adversity) to God; because of sin, we have brokennessAnxiety and adversity are linkedThe purpose is to raise a resilient generationMinistry to 18-30-year-olds:They desire authentic worship over excellenceBeginning gatherings (as part of Mountain Lake) once a month from local collegesThere is a way to be authentic without being weird; vulnerabilityThose who are brand new to faith, they are welcomed into the authenticity of faithStudent Ministry as we return from COVID-19:The BIG THING we want to do coming back should be second to COMMUNITYMinistry leaders individually call studentsSmall Group leaders connect and increase community before returningAction ItemsGet the book, read it — TheLemonBookTry something to reach 18-30Watch Gerald's content on race/injusticeGet Exclusive Content from this Week's EpisodeUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. That email will also include something exclusive related to the podcast that’s not found in the post or in the episode.Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in iTunes, Google Play,