It’s Not Easy - The Challenge of Youth Discipleship

In the final episode of Season 1, Simon and Emilia are joined by Rhys Thomas from the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF). Rhys takes us through his experiences of youth discipleship, his work with churches and universities throughout Cardiff and how God is Lord over every aspect of our lives. 

In episode 9, Simon and Emilia are joined by Jonny Slatter, Youth Pastor at St Mungo's Church Balerno, Edinburgh. Pioneer of the Lighthouse Project, Jonny shares the importance of Youth Discipleship being the responsibility of the whole church not just the Youth Leader. 

In episode 8 of the It's Not Easy podcast, Simon and Emilia are joined by Fr Dean Atkins, Ministry Area Leader of South Cardiff. Dean draws on his experiences as Youth Chaplain of the Diocese of Llandaff as well as sharing his passion for collaborative and interfaith ministry and the importance of knowing your community. 

In episode 7, Simon and Emilia are joined Alys Awad. Alys, a Youth & Community Missioner based in Aberdare, spends time sharing her experience leading a growing youth ministry, how to lead through challenges and the simply centrality of sticking to the word of God. 

In episode 6, Simon and Emilia are joined by Mark Griffiths, Dean of Discipleship at St Padarn's Institute. Mark talks about the passion required for youth work and the need to guard our hearts with this passion in order to pour into other people what God has poured into our heart. He also unpacks stories of his own experiences of youth and children's work and his experience of receiving the call to youth ministry, as well as calling churches to focus on prevention rather than cure in relation to youth discipleship.

In episode 5 of the It's Not Easy podcast, Simon and Emilia are joined by Bethan Day from Youth Alpha Wales. Bethan shares her heart for young people and youth ministry and the importance of equipping young people to share their faith. Bethan takes us through all the practicalities of running a Youth Alpha and how to get your young people involved in a church or school context. 

In episode 4, Simon and Emilia are joined by Youth Pastor Kyle Parry from Bethel Baptist Church Pontyclun. How do we define success as youth leaders? Kyle shares the importance of having a multi-generational approach to youth discipleship and having the endurance to play the long game when it comes to youth ministry.  

For episode 3, Simon and Emilia are joined by Shunita Barry from Message Wales. Shunita takes us through the challenges she has faced as a youth leader in different contexts throughout Cardiff, the importance of friendship and highlights the need to be consistently adapting to the young people in front of us as leaders. 

In episode 2, Simon and Emilia are joined by Ricardo Erasmus, a youth leader and now life coach based in South Wales. Ricardo highlights the essential element of relationship in youth discipleship, the importance of understanding your cultural context and what brought him from South Africa to sunny South Wales. 

In episode 1 of the It's Not Easy Podcast Simon and Emilia sit down with Revd Canon Dr Trystan Hughes about his experiences in children & youth discipleship as a Church Leader, University Chaplain and Father. Trystan takes us on the journey of youth discipleship and brings us full circle, reminding us that as we set out to serve and disciple children, they too play a huge part in our discipleship journey as leaders.