Kids Ministry Circle Podcast

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. Resources Mentioned:Summer IntensiveConnect with ShaneIG: @shane_pruitt78

This one is for the moms, people who lead alongside moms, and people who support a mom in ministry. My guest today is my friend and mentor, Nancy Matossian. I got a front row seat to watch Nancy raise her girls and work in full-time vocational ministry and it was such a gift to bring her on the podcast to talk about being a mom in ministry. We talk about the illusion of balance, how to navigate difficult church seasons, and how we can change our perspective to notice God. Resources Mentioned: Summer IntensiveConnect with Nancy & Slingshot Group

My friend Natalie Frisk is back on the podcast and we planned to talk about her new book, A Light to Share, but we ended up talking about so much more. Natalie is an author and the Director of Curriculum at Raise Up Faith. She is also one of my favorite kids ministry thought leaders to brainstorm and share ideas with—as you will clearly hear on the podcast today. Resourced Mentioned:Raise Up Faith CurriculumA Light to Share BookRaising Disciples BookKids Ministry Circle Summer Intensive

My guest today is Ryan Coatney. Ryan wears many hats as pastor, head of a school, and what you may know him for, founder of Cross Formed Kids Curriculum. I've talked about Cross Formed Kids many times and it was about time I had Ryan on the podcast. I gave Ryan the what feels like impossible task of helping me unpack how to talk about Salvation and present the Gospel story. As you can tell in this episode, I had lots of questions and Ryan so graciously answers them and gives us so many tools to help us better understand how to communicate the Gospel message and what to do afterward. Resources Mentioned: Creating Milestones that Matter CourseCross Formed Kids Curriculum

Today's episode is a unique episode well for a unique week. If you are listening to this when it is released, it is the Monday of Holy Week. Approximately 6 days before Easter weekend festivities kick off, of course depending on when those festivities actually begin.  Is there a way to make Holy Week less stressful? Is there a way for you to get what you need to get done and actually enjoy Easter weekend with your church family.I think so. I think it's possible to calm the chaos.So hears my pep talk to help you prepare for Holy Week & Easter Weekend. 5 steps you can take to calm the chaos of Easter Week.

I invited Preston Hocker to join me on the podcast today. Preston is a pastor, security advocate, and co-creator of Lead Volunteers latest course, Lead Security. Preston helps us think about security holistically and gives us encouragement and advice on how to cast vision to senior leadership or volunteers to take safety more seriously. This conversation is an important one so I hope that you lean in and resist the urge to say, “that would never happen to us” and skip past this episode! Resources Mentioned Lead Security CourseLead Security Youtube Page@leadsecurity

One aspect I believe that kids ministry leaders should always be learning and growing in is our ability to teach good theology to kids of all ages. It's hard and I can attest that I have even grown leaps and bounds in this area and partially because I've personally grown in my love and knowledge of God. We can't teach what we don't know and believe.  Over the next couple months, we are sprinkling in episodes that help us grow in knowledge around a specific doctrine or theological conversation and help us grow in practice as we go out and teach our kids and families good theology about a good God. To kick this season off, I wanted to invite my new friend Josh Zello on the podcast. I've seen Josh launch Jesus Loves Preschoolers, but what I didn't know is that he has years of experience and education in early childhood. Josh helps us learn new ways to teach our preschool friends the Gospel story in a way that they will understand. This is definitely a note-taking episode. I learned SO much and cannot wait for you to hear this episode with Josh. Resources Mentioned:Jesus Loves Preschoolers@joshuazello

My guest today is Amanda Druffel. Amanda is one of the creators behind Kids Ministry Solutions. Her and her mom create the cutest and most helpful teaching resources for home and church, but she also is on instagram helping us all be more efficient in our work. Her helpful tips are suggestions from many years in ministry are helping us all balance home & work life. In our conversation today we talk about balancing it all and how we can work more efficiently to free up our time for our people. Resources Mentioned:1-on-1 CoachingKids Ministry Solutions Etsy Shop@kids_ministry_solutions

Kim Botto is back on the podcast today and we are taking things to the next level. Kim was on the podcast back in 2023 where we talked through building a Special Needs Ministry.Today, we are talking about her new book, Boundless Hope for Every Child, and what belonging looks like in those unexpected moments on Sunday morning. Resources Mentioned: Boundless Hope book Listen to Episode 38 with Kim Botto https://kimbotto.com/

Today's episode, I am diving into another one of the 5 Foundations of Kids Ministry: Volunteers! I am sharing 5 random, yet intentional things you may not be thinking about when it comes to leading a team of volunteers. It is short and sweet and I think it will be the pep talk we all need in the middle of the Spring semester.

Part of the job of a kids or family ministry leader is to continue to equip and encourage parents to step into their role as disciple-makers. Parents have a million reasons not to participate in home discipleship and we get the incredible opportunity to remind parents there are a million reasons to participate in home discipleship. My guest today is Vanessa Myers and she is a longtime kids ministry leader and creator of Family Faith Builders. She has created countless resources for family discipleship, kids ministry leaders, and Bible teachers. We talk about so equipping parents and teachers to teach the Bible. Her latest resource is the perfect gift for the Bible teachers on your team and it is designed to help them get into God's Word and become better Bible teachers by relying on the Holy Spirit living inside of them and not just a curriculum.  Resources Mentioned: Family Faith BuildersTeacher of the Word Resource

It is always bittersweet when the time comes to graduate kids into student ministry, but we know they are ready! In today's episode, I chat with Dan Istvanik all about the big transition from kids to students. Dan is a family pastor, creator of Youth Ministry Hub and on the Next Gen team for the Global Leadership Network. He shares his 30+ years of youth ministry wisdom as we are all gearing up to move kids from one ministry to the next. Resources Mentioned:⁠Milestone Masterclass ⁠Middle Years Life Transitions ArticleYouth Ministry Hub

Tis' the season for Easter planning! In this episode, hear how two real Next Gen leaders are preparing their teams and ministries for Easter Sunday. Hear how they debrief, plan, recruit, and celebrate their teams throughout the Easter season. We also share a few stories of maybe what not to do or how to learn from our mistakes.You will love this real conversation with real leaders that I admire so much.Resources Mentioned:Milestone MasterclassWonder Ink Seder Resource

Today's episode looks a little different as we introduce a new podcast format that will be sprinkled throughout the year. In these unique episodes, I will be talking about one of the 5 foundations of kids ministry. This week, we are zooming in on partnering with parents. I share some research I find fascinating and what to do with it. Research Mentioned: OneHope State of Child Discipleship Children's Ministry in a New Reality Resourced Mentioned: Parent Roundtable

Have you ever been stuck when teaching kids big Christian doctrines? Same. My friends Sam Luce & Hunter Williams wrote a new book that will help leaders and parents everywhere teach kids theological truths that will impact their faith for a lifetime. Resources Mentioned: Spring Cohort Creating Milestones That Matter How to Teach Kids Theology Book

In today's episode, I sit down with Lynne Howard from the team at David C. Cook and we deep dive into curriculum but more specifically scope & sequence. We talk about how to really use a scope & sequence to plan your year, equip your parents, and better serve your volunteers. Resources Mentioned: Spring Cohort Wonder Ink Curriculum Connect with Lynne: lynne.howard@davidccook.org

My guest today is Cortney Jenkins. Cortney is the creator behind Awe & Wonder, a hub of resources to help churches and families reach all kids with the Gospel story.  Today we talk about how to teach kids of all abilities using a variety of curriculum and techniques. Whether you have your own designated classroom for kids with special needs or are starting from the beginning, I know Cortney's wisdom will be so encouraging and helpful.  Resources Mentioned: Awe & Wonder Curriculum Follow Cortney on Socials @awe__and__wonder Spring Cohort Creating Milestones That Matter Course

In today's episode, I share about what is coming for 2025! I talk about how we are being faithful to our mission and vision and what are the new and excited announcements. We are grateful you are a part of this community and listening along as we learn and grow! Resources Mentioned: VBS Curriculum Video Creating Milestones That Matter Course Spring Cohort

Happy 2025 friends! To ring in the new year, I am sharing 5 things I said the most as a kids ministry coach. Maybe these things will bring you encouragement, too. To learn more about one-on-one coaching and the Spring Cohort, use the links below. Kids Ministry Coaching Spring Cohort

In this episode of the Kids Ministry Circle, I talk with Kenny Conley to hear about his latest 90-day volunteer recruiting challenge! He set out to recruit 50 volunteers in 90 days and I am out to get the inside scoop. We talk about Kenny's secret sauce to recruiting and onboarding new volunteers and the many way he plans on retaining all of his new volunteers. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Ministry Boost 90-Day Challenge 5 Steps to Recruit Volunteers Now @ministryboost

The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast is back after a quick Thanksgiving break. Today's guest and I are talking about a little hot button in our culture right now so buckle up! Christina Embree is the founder of Refocus ministry. Refocus exists to help you identify the bridges and barriers to intergenerational ministry in your church and give you the tools you need to create a culture of generational discipleship and faith formation. A few weeks ago our guest today, Christina Embree posted an article titled “The Disappearing Church: What's to Blame” tackling this big and layered topic and I knew I had to invite her to join me on the podcast to talk more in depth, and boy do we!   This is such an important conversation and my encouragement to you is that this conversation cannot stop at the end of this podcast.  Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Disappearing Church Article Refocus Ministry Website

In today's episode, I interview Brian Dembowczyk and we talk a lot about family discipleship. Brian has a brand new book out called Family Discipleship That Works and so we talk about how this format he suggests throughout his book could really work for a lot of families trying to establish home discipleship rhythms. We explore the themes of gospel transformation in parenting, the importance of understanding image bearing in children, morality versus moralism, and the role of kids ministry leaders in bridging adult and family discipleship. It is a jam packed episode that I know you will love. Resourced Mentioned: Family Discipleship That Works Shop the Christmas Merch!

In today's episode, our guest today is Candice Wynn. Candice is a long-time leader in the youth and family ministry space. Our conversation evolves the landscape of church dynamics post-COVID, the shifting perspectives on discipleship, and the role of technology in modern ministry. Candice highlights the unique challenges faced by millennial parents and the necessity of equipping them for effective discipleship. Also, Candice shares her journey in youth ministry and the creation of BOON, a community aimed at supporting black youth and family ministry leaders. Resources Mentioned: BOON Community Connect with Candice Wynn

Welcome to a new episode of the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! This week, I had the opportunity to talk to Derek Altom, the director of events and development at D6. Derek and I talk about how we can all get better at equipping parents and how it is not just a one time event, but discipleship happens in all areas of life. I loved the story about Derek's son memorizing scripture in the car! So encouraging and so applicable to all parents.  Of course, I invite Derek to share his families Christmas traditions and talk through how to equip parents to add in a time of home discipleship during the Advent & Christmas season.  Derek was SO kind and gave you all a code for a discount for the D6 Conferences happening Spring of 2025. Code: KIDMINCIRCLE 50$ off at D6 NW 75$ off at D6 SE This episode was such a joy to record and I know you are going to love it! 

Pull out the twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and fake snow! It is time to start decorating for Christmas! But where do we start and how do we find the balance of whimsy and sophisticated? I invited the part of the team from Wit.Co Creative to teach us best practices when it comes to decorating our hallways for Christmas. Resources mentioned: Wit.Co Creative Kids Ministry Space Tour Greenery: Afloral Christmas Trees: Balsam Hill Large Scale Christmas Decor Walmart Garland Amazon Garland White Cord Lights (interior) Green Cord Lights (trees & greenery) Large C9 Lights (clear) Large C9 Lights (opaque)

Happy 100 episodes of the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! To celebrate this milestone, my husband, Luke, took over and interviewed me! Together we look back on some of my favorite episodes, what I am learning these days and what is coming up in this next season of Kids Ministry Circle. We are grateful you are here and cheers to the next 100 episodes! Resources Mentioned: Drama of Scripture Churchfront Worship & Tech Podcast

Our guest today is Joshua Cooley. Joshua is a former kids ministry leader turned author! In our conversation, we talk about Josh's journey into ministry (it's a wild story!), the importance of foundational questions in faith for children, and how to navigate big questions that kids ask. Josh emphasizes the significance of using everyday moments to teach kids about God and encourages new leaders in kids ministry to keep learning and growing in their faith.Don't forget do get your copy of Josh's new kids book, "I Can't Believe My Eyes" Resources mentioned: Countdown to Christmas MasterclassI Can't Believe My Eyes book

Welcome to another episode of The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! Today's episode is one big kids ministry party. My guests are three members from the Kids Ministry team at Hespeler Baptist Church in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada! Together we talk about the differences and similarities of church culture in Canada compared to the United States. We also explore the unique dynamics of volunteer-driven ministry, the challenges of discipleship in a secular culture, and the importance of community engagement. Don't miss the end of our conversation--we announce a brand new Kids Ministry conference, Gospel Kids Conference, happening May 2025! Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Masterclass: Countdown to Christmas Gospel Kids Conference

The answer to the title of this podcast is a resounding YES! Our guest today is Abby McClelland! Abby is the Elementary Director from The Crossing Church in Missouri and she reached out to me with a new book she wrote called, God Says Go. Of course I ordered the book and knew she had to come share about it with the rest of you. Abby shared how her and her team have been working together how to teach and share the Great Commission with the kids and families in their community. We talk about the process they went through, what steps they've implemented, and how they are learning to balance discipleship and evangelism. Resources Mentioned: Countdown to Christmas Masterclass God Says Go book The Crossing Church Kids STEP Devotional Podcast

Do you ever look at people and wonder how they do it all? Josh & Sarah Denhart are two people who are serving the church, raising kids, caring for ministry leaders, and so much more! But, what I love the most about Josh & Sarah is their willingness to share how the hard seasons have shaped them and how they continue to put God at the center of all that they do. In this episode we have an honest conversation about what life has looked like for Josh & Sarah as they have served together in ministry for over two decades! They share a few of the ways they continue to cheer on each other in their gifting and how they raised their own kids in the spotlight of ministry.

Today's episode is with a couple of my favorite leaders in the kids ministry space. Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder lead the team behind Lifeway Next Gen and help create some of our favorite resources. Throughout this episode, they share how they work together united with one vision and they highlight the value of transparency, vulnerability, and grace in their professional and personal interactions. We talk about the joys of launching a brand new curriculum and the importance of being culturally aware as we lead and serve kids and families. I know you will love this conversation! Resources Mentioned: HYFI Curriculum Flip the Script Book Lifeway Kids

The conversation around identity is one of the most important Next Gen conversations of our culture. We must consistently remind kids that they are made in the image of God and that God loves them so deeply. Today on the podcast Christie Penner Worden joins me to dive deep into the identity conversation and talk about her new book, The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation. Whether you lead preschoolers, elementary kids, or students, it is never too early to start teaching kids about their role in the BIG story of God or their true identity only found in Christ. Resources Mentioned: Christie's book, The Me I Was Made To Be @christieworden

Today's episode is a tender one and comes with a trigger warning! I have felt this pull to talk about what to do when we experience grief as ministry leaders. It is not an, if we experience grief, but it is a when we experience grief. Leading teams, pastoring families, and teaching kids about the goodness of God can be so hard when you as the leader are walking through a season of grief.  We fight the lie that when we show up on a Sunday, we must be perfect. We forget that the safety of the local church is there for us too.  So we are going to talk about it. This episode comes with a big trigger warning. Kimmy, our guest today has a story that includes infant loss and the grief that comes with losing a child. If this conversation will not be helpful for you to hear today, that's okay.  Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Grief/Suffering Resources: Signing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts by Megan Hill Held by Abbey Wedgeworth

In today's episode, I get to introduce you to two of my favorite people and my favorite former co-workers. James + Julie Paquette have been married for over two decades and have been doing ministry together in the local church for almost 10 of those years. They join me to talk about the importance of prioritizing your marriage before your ministry. Ministry can quickly become our everything but ministry does not define us. How can we set healthy boundaries to protect our marriages, our families, and our relationships? James, Julie, and I dive right in! Resources Mentioned: Re-Engage Ministry Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

On today's episode, Beth Cunningham joins me to talk all about millennial parents and generation alpha. Beth is the Kids Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL. Every couple months, I invite someone on the podcast with decades of experience in ministry to help us assess what kids ministry looks like right now. Beth shares what she is noticing about parents and kids today and how we can be meeting them right where they are at.

Today's podcast is for all you multi-site church leaders! We all should be a part of churches that plant churches so maybe you are not at a multisite church right now, but you never know what God could do. I hope no matter what season you are in, you listen and store all the wisdom in your pocket for another day.  My guest today is Delia Cornwell. Delia is the Central Kids Pastor at Radiant Church in Tampa, Florida. Radiant Church is made up of 10 campuses! Delia shares her story of finding herself in Kids Ministry and how Radiant church jumped from one campus to 10—I'll give you a hint—it was a lot of hard work.  Delia shares the joy and sadness of launching campuses and what it takes to consistently raise new leaders to send and new leaders to fill the gaps. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Ministry Circle Cohort

After a month of Matt and the Student Ministry Circle team taking over the podcast, Lauren is back! Our guest today is Katie Robinson. Katie is the Family Ministry Parent Resource Coordinator at Port City Community Church in North Carolina. Katie is also an author! Her collection of books is called Walking Together: navigating with hope through the very real and hard parts of life. They are designed to help elementary-aged children process common yet difficult topics.  In this episode we talk about how to partner with parents well, how to hold grief and joy simultaneously and trust God with whatever families are journeying through. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort 1-on-1 Coaching Walking Together Book Website Buy Books 1 & 2 of the Walking Together Collection @portcitychurch @portcity.kids katie.robinson@portcitychurch.org

It is the last week of the Student Ministry Circle takeover! This week, Matt McDermott is joined by Matt McCauley. Matt is the Family Ministry Director at The Village Church and he shares his ministry story and the shift from Student Ministry to Family Ministry. He emphasizes the importance of equipping parents to be the primary disciplers of their children and he walks through the framework for family discipleship at The Village Church. The conversation around family ministry is not just a student ministry or a kids ministry conversation. It must be a team effort--not only with ministry leaders but with kids, students, and volunteers. Resources Mentioned: @studentministrycircle Family Discipleship Book Student Ministry Circle Cohort

Student Summer Takeover continues with an interview between Matt McDermott & Kyle Gray. Kyle is camp director at Word of Life and he shares his experience in ministry and the importance of discipleship, especially in the context of summer camp. Together they talk about the benefits and common concerns of summer camp and how it serves a vital purpose in student ministry, providing spiritual growth and community building opportunities. They also discuss the importance of personal growth and authenticity in youth ministry. They emphasize the need for youth leaders to lead by example and pursue Christ in their own lives. This conversation is honest, challenging, and one that you will surely love. Resources Mentioned: @studenministrycircle @kyle_gray Student Ministry Circle Cohort Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Word of Life

We are half way through the Student Ministry Circle podcast takeover! Today's episode is a special one. Matt McDermott is joined by his friend, co-worker, and Student Ministry counterpart, Morgan Marshall. Together they cover a multitude of topics like male and female friendships, teaching students how to evangelize, equipping small group leaders, and don't miss their hot take on summer camp! Resources Mentioned Student Ministry Circle Cohort Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Get ready to hear from a Youth Ministry EXPERT! Ron Marrs is a longtime teacher, pastor, mentor, and champion of youth ministry. This episode covers so many different topics from discerning calling, writing curriculum, and discipleship with this generations students. They even work through a case study where a ministry leader is working through feelings of burnout and disappoint. This episode will equip you and encourage you to keep leading for the long haul. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Ministry Circle Cohort @studentministrycircle The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Generations by Jean M. Twenge PhD

It is time for the Student Ministry Circle Takeover! We believe that one way kids ministry leaders can learn to serve families better is by knowing what the student ministry leaders are doing and learning. We are excited for this takeover to give us a new perspective! In this episode, Matt McDermott talks to Justin Knowles. Justin is the Network Youth Director at Sandals Church in Riverside, CA and shares his incredible story of how he ended up in ministry and the unique and creative ways they are serious about discipleship at Sandals Church. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Cohort Student Ministry Circle Cohort Connect with Justin: Sandals Church @Justinknowles3

Who doesn't love a bonus episode!? For this episode, guest is Melanie Hester. Melanie serves as the Director of Discipleship Engagement for Awana and is one of my favorite people to talk about all things discipleship with. We all know that it is so important to champion the parent and help them disciple their kids as the primary spiritual voice, but where does Sunday morning fit in? In this conversation we work to answer that question. Together we talk about the importance of child discipleship in the church, the role of faith formation, and the collaboration between the church and the home in nurturing children's faith. Resources Mentioned: Child Discipleship Forum Use code KIDS50 for $50 off your conference ticket @awana Connect with Melanie: @hobomel

Today's episode is all about Family Ministry. My guest today is Amber Pike. Amber works for Renewanation, an organization that has a goal of transforming culture by giving millions of children a Biblical worldview. We talk about how to lead with a family ministry mindset. She emphasizes the need to train and equip parents, not just provide resources, and highlights the importance of caring for the entire family unit. Amber shares practical ideas for incorporating family ministry into events and creating experiences that engage parents and children together. She encourages children's ministry leaders to evaluate their calendar and make intentional shifts to prioritize family ministry. Resources Mentioned: @amberpike0292 The Family Cookbook Devotional Renewanation

Today's episode is with Chris Ammen! Chris is a Kids Ministry Pastor, a writer, and owner of our favorite Kaleidoscope Kids Bibles. Chris shares his journey in children's ministry, emphasizing the value of dedicated leadership and the strategic importance of partnering with parents. He introduces the concept of 'Teams' as a successful discipleship program and discusses the importance of community, accountability, and competition in engaging families. We talk about strategic planning, program development, and engaging the next generation of parents with intentionality, authenticity and relational connection. I think everyone may be a little inspired to add a touch of competition to your at-home discipleship plan. Connect with Chris: Read Kaleidoscope @readkaleidoscope

Today's episode is Vance Martin. He is a friend, a leader who I trust deeply, and a champion for all things Next Gen Ministry. Vance serves as the VP of Next Gen for Slingshot Group and is here to help us all think strategically and intentionally around developing leaders in the local church. Vance & I talk about all things developing the next generation and kids ministry leaders everywhere can ask the question, "Who are you investing in?"

It was a gift to interview Dave & Jess Ray from Doorpost Songs. Musical worship is a huge component to local church kids ministry but few actually know how to teach kids about worship. Dave & Jess ask a few big questions and help us think intentionally about what songs we play, how our volunteers interact, and how we can teach the next generation of singing God's word. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Book Club Connect with Doorpost Songs: @doorpostsongs https://doorpostsongs.com/about/ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/doorpost-songs/1443023116

In this weeks episode, I am joined by Kayla Maxey. Kayla is a Family Life Pastor here in Colorado and she wears many hats. Kayla talks about the importance of being a connector and not carrying the load by herself but bringing in your fellow staff and key volunteers. Kayla's church also has a year-round preschool at their church and we definitely talk about that relationship and how to share space in a way that glorifies God!

Are you in the middle of summer programming or planning VBS for the very first time? I invited 3 of my favorite kids ministry leaders who just happen to have buckets of knowledge when it comes to VBS to answer some of the questions you all submitted. We cover everything from schedules to preschool programs and curriculum to family follow up. I hope this workshop helps you as you are planning your own summer events. Resources Mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Event Debrief Guide   Deeper Kid Min Resources: Ultimate VBS Planner VBS Prayer Countdown Salvation Decision Card

May is National Foster Care Month so we are talking about the many ways the church can care for foster + adopt families. I believe that Kids Ministry leaders are at the forefront of caring for these families and we want to do to it well. I invited my friend Matthew Haines to join me on the podcast to share his experience as a kids ministry leader and foster dad. Matthew shares so much wisdom from both sides of the conversation. Resources Mentioned: Summer Book Club Foster Parent Well Podcast @foster.parenting @nicoletbarlow @matthewmhaines

Tap into your creative side today! My guest is Madi Hackworth or you may know her as Madi Hax on Instagram. Madi has set out to use her gifting and bring creative resources to kids ministry leaders and ministries all over. She is such a gift to this community and I know you will love hearing her story and learning from all the wisdom she has to offer!  Connect with Madi: @madihaxcreative https://www.madihax.com/