Youth and Culture Podcast | Youth Ministry | Student Ministry

We had a great time talking with Sean McDowell about apologetics in youth ministry. Sean is an associate professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over fifteen books. His apologetics training has received exemplary status from the Association of Christian Schools International. He is a regular guest on various radio and TV shows. You can read Sean's blog at seanmcdowell.org. Get A Rebel's Manifesto! Get Connected with Sean McDowell: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

What is church abuse and what can we do to prevent it? This week we had an opportunity to talk with Grace Crosby on this topic. Grace has served in student ministries for over 15 years and now serves as a U.S. Missionary Liaison with Reliant, which is an organization that partners with missional churches and Gospel-centered nonprofits to mobilize support-based missionaries for the Great Commission. Get Connected with Grace Crosby: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Dr. Frank Turek is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author and coauthor of four books: Stealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to make their Case, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Correct, Not Politically Correct and Legislating Morality. As the President of CrossExamined.org, Frank presents powerful and entertaining evidence for Christianity at churches, high schools and at secular college campuses that often begin hostile to his message. He has also debated several prominent atheists including Christopher Hitchens and David Silverman, president of American Atheists. Frank is a widely featured guest in the media as a leading apologetics expert and cultural commentator. He has appeared on hundreds of radio programs and many top TV programs including: The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith Under Fire, and Politically Incorrect. He also writes a column for Townhall.com and several other sites. Frank has a master's degree from the George Washington University and a doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary. He and his wife, Stephanie, are blessed with three grown sons. Don't forget to grab Hollywood Heroes! Get Connected with Frank Turek: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

What is worship? Is it just singing a few songs at a Sunday service or something more? This week, we talked with Jacob Roberts about what worship is and more. Jacob is the Worship Pastor at Unity Baptist Church in Prince George, Virginia. Get Connected with Jacob Roberts: · Facebook Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

On this episode, David and Ryan tackle why every leader needs to lead through humility are remain teachable. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

What does it mean to be the "church?" Can you do effective discipleship online? Online ministry is more popular than ever, but is it be the best way to do church? This week Ryan and David talk about this and more. You don't want to miss this week's episode! Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever asked the question, “Should I quit?” Have you ever wondered if there are good reasons to stay in your ministry? This week Ryan and David discuss when to quit and when to stay in your ministry. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Throughout the past 45 years, Jim Wideman has led and guided church ministries with a clear vision of how to help leaders find solutions to seemingly impossible problems. Jim understands what priorities are important for moving the mission forward. Throughout his career, Jim has developed systems and processes to help teams make sound decisions, translate visions into action, and provide practical tools from what he's learned through personal experience. He is a leader who has devoted his life to helping others achieve personal, spiritual, and numerical growth through consulting, training, speaking, coaching, and mentoring to churches of all sizes, denominations, and styles in America and around the world. Jim currently serves as The Executive Operations Pastor at The Belonging Co. In Nashville, Tennessee. Jim believes his greatest sermon, is his family. Get Connected with Jim Wideman: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Where does youth ministry start? Who's role is it to disciple students? Is it the Student Pastor? Is it Small Group leaders? Is it parents? We answer these questions and more in this week's episode with Dr. Michael Gereaux. Michael is a youth pastor who is passionate about seeing parents equipped in discipling their children. Get Connected with Michael Gereaux: · Facebook- @dr.Michael.Gereaux · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

This week Ryan and David discuss how supporting and teaching things outside of biblical truth is dangerous for students, especially middle school students. Warning, this episode may not be suitable for children. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Michaela O'Donnell is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary, where she oversees the center's vision, strategy, program, and team, all with the goal of helping leaders like you respond faithfully to God in all seasons of your life and leadership. In addition to her academic work, Michaela has over ten years of experience as a leader in the marketplace. Principally, as the Owner and Managing Director of Long Winter Media, a vibrant creative agency that helps brands make a social impact through multi-media content. Long Winter Media's roster of clients includes Google, YouTube, NBC Universal, University of Southern California, Presbyterian Church (USA), Fuller Seminary, and many more. Notably, the Oprah Winfrey Network picked up a short film Long Winter produced for an episode of Oprah's show Super Soul Sundays, with Glennon Doyle. Michaela regularly writes and teaches on topics of vocation, change, innovation, creativity, faith/work, and gender dynamics. Get Connected with Michaela O'Donnell: · Linkedin · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

This week David and Ryan talk about how to transition well. Many people in ministry have experienced difficulty in their previous ministries, but how should we respond? How do we transition to the next ministry that God is calling us to? Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Zach Johnson is the Associate Pastor of Students and Families at Oakland Baptist Church in Disputanta, Virginia. Before serving on staff at Oakland, Zach served as a Student Revivalist for Life Action Ministries. Get Connected with Zach Johnson: · Facebook Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

JC Groves was born into a very strict, conservative Independent Fundamental Baptist family. His parents were part of a large IFB church in Indiana while his father went to an IFB bible school. In the mid 80s they moved to Chattanooga so his father could continue his studies at Tennessee Temple University. JC comes from a family of preachers. His father and grandfather Charlie Sturgill both served as IFB pastors. JC has been serving in ministry as a student pastor in Tennessee, Georgia and Utah since 2001. In 2012, he and his family moved back to Georgia to help start the Ringgold Campus of Rock Bridge Community Church where he served as Campus Pastor through September 2020. JC and his family now live in Statesboro, GA where he serves as the College & Student Pastor at Connection Church. JC is married to Kym and they have 6 kids, all 10 years old and under: Kaden, Colton, Corbin, Kenzie, Katie Mae & Karoline Jane – and a chocolate labradoodle named Bowden. Get Connected with JC Groves: · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Does anxiety get in the way of your ability to be an effective leader? Is your inability to notice when you and those around you are anxious keeping you "stuck" in chronic unhealthy patterns? Steve Cuss is a published Author of the book Managing Leadership Anxiety- Yours & Theirs and the host on the Managing Anxiety Podcast. Since 2005, Steve have served as the Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, Colorado, an innovative and entrepreneurial church that has grown from 150 to more than 1000 in weekly attendance. The church intentionally welcomes spiritual seekers and skeptics and is passionate about partnerships that break the local and global poverty cycle. Steve has also served at a mega church in Las Vegas, on a ranch for struggling teens, and as a youth minister in the Appalachian region. Get Connected with Steve Cuss: · Facebook · Instagram · Website Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Sara Barratt is an author, speaker, avid reader, chocolate lover, and managing editor for TheRebelution.com, a growing online platform that reaches more than half a million Christian teens, parents, and youth workers each year. She's a frequent speaker on topics including using your teen years for Christ, biblical worldview, and godly dating and relationships. She wrote her first book Love Riot: A Teenage Call to Live with Relentless Abandon for Christ when she was eighteen and her second book Stand Up, Stand Strong: A Call to Bold Faith in a Confused Culture releases April 2022 in partnership with Summit Ministries. Her work has been featured on numerous websites including The Gospel Coalition, Crosswalk, Desiring God, Girl Defined, and Crosswalk. She's been a guest on numerous radio shows and podcasts including The Eric Metaxas Show, Moody Radio, and WMUZ. Her passion is challenging and encouraging her peers to live sold out and set apart for Jesus. When she's not writing or dreaming up new book ideas, she loves spending time with family and friends, taking long walks, drinking copious amounts of tea, and scribbling down random thoughts that eventually get lost in her purse. Get Connected with Sara Barratt: · Facebook · Instagram · Website Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever wondered if what you are doing is actually working? Have you ever felt like what you were doing does not matter? This week Ryan had the opportunity to talk with one of his students, Ethan Driggers, about these very questions. Ethan spent his entire tenure in student ministry under Ryan's leadership and now is leading a group of Jr. High Boys. You don't want to miss this episode! Not only was it encouragement for Ryan, but it will encourage anyone in youth ministry to stay strong and don't quit. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever wondered if there were common questions that every teenager wants to know? We had the opportunity to talk with Brad Griffin about his new book 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager. Brad is the Senior Director of Content for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based training for youth workers and parents. A speaker, writer, and volunteer youth pastor, Brad is the coauthor of over a dozen books, including 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, Faith in an Anxious World, Growing Young, several Sticky Faith books, Every Parent's Guide to Navigating Our Digital World, and Can I Ask That? Brad and his family live in Southern California, where he serves as Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Mountainside Communion. Get a copy of including 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager! Get Connected with Brad Griffin: · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Do you have students in your ministry that struggle with anxiety, depression, and despair? We had an opportunity this week to talk with Will Hutcherson on his new book Seen. Will has worked with kids and teenagers for 14 years, from five students in a small rural church to ten years serving as a NextGen / Student pastor at a large multisite church. In 2018, he started a non-profit, Curate Hope, that partners with parents and educators to help heal despair in teens through school assemblies and parent seminars, bringing practical solutions in responding to suicide and depression. In addition to speaking, Will is the director of NextGen at Journey Church in Lake Worth. He is passionate to see the next generation come to know Christ and partner with church leaders to reach young people in new ways. He lives in Florida with his wife, Arianne, and children, Liam, Reese, and Kinsley. Get a copy of Seen! Get Connected with Will Hutcherson: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

How do you build influence in your ministry? This week Ryan and David talk about how faithful longevity produces influence in your ministry. You don't want to miss this week's episode! Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

To be an effective leader starts by leading yourself. Why do so many pastors struggle with this? This week Ryan and David tackle this question of how to be effective in our leadership. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Kristen Lascola has been the Middle School Pastor at North Coast Church in San Diego County for over 16 years. While middle schoolers have her heart, she is also passionate about church leadership development. She loves speaking at leadership conferences and equipping pastors and leaders to become healthy and effective for the long haul. She hosts “The Ministry Coach Podcast” with her husband, Jeff. Check out the Ministry Coach Podcast! Get Connected with Kristen Lascola: · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you removed God from your ministry? This is a question that we don’t really ask, but we should. It is easy for us as youth ministry leaders to focus on our own strengths rather than being dependent on God in our ministry. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

We had the opportunity to talk with John Eldredge about biblical masculinity. John is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom. Get Wild At Heart Expanded Edition! Get Connected with John Eldredge: · Facebook · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Ted Shimer is the founder of The Freedom Fight, an online addiction recovery program. He has mentored young adults for nearly three decades with the collegiate ministry Student Mobilization. He received his MABS from Dallas Seminary and is trained as a Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional-Supervisor. His discipleship background, theological instruction and world-class clinical training gives Shimer a unique and grounded approach to addiction recovery that is biblically-based, scientifically sound, gospel-centered and effective. Ted and his wife Amber have four adult children and live in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Get The Freedom Fight! Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

How do you approach biblically with your students? This week we had an opportunity to talk with Jake Morris on this topic. Jake is the Student Director at Village Church in Midlothian, Virginia. Get Connected with Jake Morris: · Facebook · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

We had a great time talking with Sean McDowell about his new book Chasing Love. Sean is an associate professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over fifteen books. His apologetics training has received exemplary status from the Association of Christian Schools International. He is a regular guest on various radio and TV shows. You can read Sean's blog at seanmcdowell.org. Get Chasing Love! Get Connected with Sean McDowell: · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

As Head of Global Faith-Based Partnerships at Facebook, Nona Jones is recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on digital discipleship through social technology, motivating thousands of church leaders each year to reimagine social media as a strategic tool for ministry. Prior to Facebook, Nona held executive roles in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, being profiled by ESSENCE Magazine as an "Under 40 Woman to Watch" and Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida's "30-Something All Stars." She also received the American Public Power Association's Robert F. Roundtree Rising Star Award as national peer recognition of her leadership while under the age of 35. Nona's passion and purpose in life is to demonstrate God's power to turn pain into purpose, a calling she fulfills in her career as well as alongside her husband as co-leader of Open Door Ministries in Gainesville, Florida. Get Nona’s new book, From Social Media To Social Ministry! Get Connected with Nona Jones: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

How good are you at building teams? We had the opportunity to talk with Jeff Mingee about building effective teams from a biblical perspective. Jeff is the Lead Pastor at Catalyst Church in Newport News, VA. He is also a Church Planting Strategist for the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Get Jeff’s book, Called To Cooperate! Get Connected with Jeff Mingee: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Now that it is inching closer to a year of COVID, what will be the new normal? How do we be effective now that we are more aware of digital ministry? We had the opportunity to talk with Mike Camire about ministry in a COVID normal culture. Mike is the Next Gen Pastor at Parkway Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia. He is also the Student Ministry Strategist for the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Get Connected with Mike Camire: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever felt like today's cultural environment is hard to navigate through? You are not alone. We had the opportunity to talk with John L. Cooper about his new book "Awake and Alive to Truth". John is the lead vocalist, bassist, and songwriter/producer for Skillet, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century. The two-time Grammy award-nominated 12X platinum band was inducted to Pandora's Billionaire club after garnering 2 Billion streams, took home a billboard music award and more. John and his wife Korey have been touring together for the entirety of their 23 years of marriage and live in Kenosha, WI with their two children. John and Korey are passionate about sharing the truth of Christ to the world through music, the Cooper Stuff Podcast, two Skillet graphic novels entitled Eden and Eden: The Aftermath, and now through his debut book, Awake & Alive to Truth. BOOK GIVEAWAY! We are giving away several books signed by John Cooper. Here is how you can enter. (1) Please give us a positive rating and review on Apple Podcast. Then send us a direct message either on Facebook or Instagram; let us know the nickname you put on your rating. Click here: https://buff.ly/2RawTLq (2) Like and share John Cooper's episode post on our Facebook (@youthandculturepodcast). Get John's New book here: https://stores.kotisdesign.com/cooper-stuff/books Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Jay Stringer guides men and women to freedom from sexual brokenness so they can pursue the life they desire. Jay is a licensed mental health counselor, ordained minister, and internationally requested speaker on the subject of unwanted sexual behavior (i.e., extra-marital affairs, the use of pornography, buying sex, and others). Based in New York City, Jay spent the last decade on the frontlines of demand for sexual exploitation and pornography. His clinical work guides men and women to understand the origins of their sexual brokenness, what sustains it, and what the journey to wholeness will require. Jay’s award-winning first book, Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing is based on a multi-year research project into the stories of 3,800 men and women. Unwanted explores the key drivers of unwanted sexual behavior, why people stay in self-destructive patterns, and how to disempower shame. His research is one of the most comprehensive studies on the subject and Unwanted is being used by counselors, churches, and small groups throughout the world. Get Connected with Jay Stringer: · Facebook · Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

COVID has brought an opportunity to make significant changes, but making changes the wrong way can damage your ministry. This week Ryan and David talk about how to make changes that are effective and will last. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever wondered why your ministry is not effective? Does your ministry seem to be falling apart? This week we spent some time discussing why your ministry may be crumbling around you. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever wondered why your ministry is not effective? Does your ministry seem to be falling apart? This week we spent some time discussing how to destroy your youth ministry. The first step is not praying. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! M usic Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever noticed that your Gen Z students talk a little differently? We had the opportunity to talk with Andy DeNoon, and Josh Hooper (a.k.a. Cool Carll) about their new devotional, "The Word According to Gen Z." Josh Hooper is the content manager for Sunday Cool, which is the greatest t-shirt company on the planet, and Andy DeNoon is the content coordinator. Get Connected with Andy DeNoon: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Josh Hooper: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Have you ever been told that you cannot do youth ministry past your 30’s? We had the opportunity to talk with Rick Harris on the myth of aging out of youth ministry. Rick desires to continue serving as a Student Pastor in the local church, while also looking to assist the greater church body by consulting and mentoring. He has a desire for youth leaders to catch the vision that they can be in student ministry for the long haul, dispelling the myth that they will “age out.” He also wants to assist and inform church committee members and others to recognize the different characteristics as the student pastor ages and how this knowledge can be used to find a better fit when searching for a youth leader. Connect with UTH DOC: · Website · Twitter Get Connected with Rick Harris: · Facebook Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Do you feel like your senior leadership does not listen to you? Are you struggling to make changes because your senior leadership does not understand the importance? We had the opportunity to talk with Zan Workun on how to “lead-up” in your ministry. Zac has spent 15 years leading in youth ministries of various sizes in multiple denominations. He is part of a team that created a national youth pastor network, currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students, and is the co-host of the Youth Ministry Booster podcast. Get Connected with Zac Workun: Facebook Instagram Twitter Get Connected with Youth Ministry Booster: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Get Connected with Youth and Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

We had the opportunity to continue the conversation with Trevor Hamaker on how to build a better youth ministry. Trevor has worked in and around student ministry for the last 15+ years. He grew up in the suburbs of Raleigh, NC in a non-religious family, but became a Christian as a senior in high school. Ever since then, he’s been consumed by theology and ministry topics, primarily focusing on how to help students understand faith and apply it in their lives. He’s an author, adjunct professor, and the creator of betteryouthministry.com, site dedicated to helping youth pastors to see their potential, develop their skills and reach their goals. Do you want to learn more about how to have a better youth ministry? If so, go to http://betteryouthministry.com/ryan/! Get Connected with Trevor Hamaker: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Trevor Hamaker has worked in and around student ministry for the last 15+ years. He grew up in the suburbs of Raleigh, NC in a non-religious family, but became a Christian as a senior in high school. Ever since then, he’s been consumed by theology and ministry topics, primarily focusing on how to help students understand faith and apply it in their lives. He’s an author, adjunct professor, and the creator of betteryouthministry.com, site dedicated to helping youth pastors to see their potential, develop their skills and reach their goals. Do you want to learn more about how to have a better youth ministry? If so, go to http://betteryouthministry.com/ryan/! Get Connected with Trevor Hamaker: · Facebook · Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Youth Ministry is changing. Has youth ministry ended? We had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Andrew Root concerning youth ministry in today’s culture. Andrew is a Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has written extensively about youth ministry. He is the author of numerous books, including Faith Formation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker, The Children of Divorce, Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry, and Relationships Unfiltered, and the coauthor of The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. Get Connected with Andrew Root: · Facebook · Twitter · Website Get Connected with Youth & Culture: · Facebook · Instagram · Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

This week we had the opportunity to talk with Brandon Witmyer and Alex Holliday on overcoming racism in youth ministry. Brandon is the Youth Pastor at Midlothian Baptist Church in Midlothian, Virginia, and Alex is a passionate youth leader that serves alongside Brandon. Get Connected with Brandon Witmyer: Facebook Get Connected with Alex Holiday: Facebook Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

This week we continued the conversation with Dr. Richard Brown on why youth ministry matters. Since his calling into student ministry as a young collegiate, Rich has desired to see teenagers connect with their Creator through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to see them maturely develop in their knowledge and love for God and His Word. Yet he knows this disciple-making process is only effective through the power of the Holy Spirit and utilizing godly leaders who pour God and themselves into students. In other words, the Jesus model. And he knows he is not alone. There are thousands of other like-minded adults who share this same passion for students. Get Connected with Dr. Richard Brown: Facebook Get Connected with NexGen Matters: Facebook Webpage Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

We had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Richard Brown on why youth ministry matters. Since his calling into student ministry as a young collegiate, Rich has desired to see teenagers connect with their Creator through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to see them maturely develop in their knowledge and love for God and His Word. Yet he knows this disciple-making process is only effective through the power of the Holy Spirit and utilizing godly leaders who pour God and themselves into students. In other words, the Jesus model. And he knows he is not alone. There are thousands of other like-minded adults who share this same passion for students. Get Connected with Dr. Richard Brown: Facebook Get Connected with NexGen Matters: Facebook Webpage Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided by hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

We had the opportunity to talk with Daniel Henderson on the importance of prayer in youth ministry. As a senior pastor for over two decades, Daniel brought prayer-based revitalization to numerous churches. Now, as the President of Strategic Renewal, Daniel is dedicating his full-time efforts to help congregations across the country and world experience renewal. Get Connected with Daniel Henderson: Facebook Twitter Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Youth and Culture is now a year old! We had the opportunity to interview Justin Herman on how COVID-19 will impact youth ministries after the pandemic. Justin is the Executive Director of RTWELVE Inc, a nonprofit that exists to strengthen the father/son and mother/daughter relationship as a high school, Christian service organization committed to developing servant leaders who will have a local and global impact for Christ. He has been in youth ministry for 16 years from getting his start in Buffalo, NY, through Missouri for college at Central Christian College of the Bible, finally landing in California. Justin has worked at two great churches, Mariners Church as the Junior High Pastor and Sandals Church, overseeing youth ministry across all their campuses as well as launching the Controlled Chaos Podcast, a Junior High Ministry Podcast for Youth Workers. He lives in Riverside, Calif., with his beautiful wife, Brittany, and their two boys, Beckett and Cannon. Follow Justin at @heyjustinherman on Instagram, Twitter, and FB. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Do you struggle with retaining volunteers? This week we had the opportunity to talk with Christine Kreisher on this topic. Christine is the Executive Director of Ministries at GT Church, where she provides strategic direction for family ministries and adult discipleship. Get Connected with Christine Kreisher Facebook Instagram Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Are you having a hard time figuring out how to connect with your students during quarantine? Need help? This week David and Ryan share different strategies they are doing to stay connected with their students as they also are learning how to do youth ministry under quarantine. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Does my mental and spiritual health really matter? This week we tackled why mental and spiritual health impacts our effectiveness in ministry. David and Ryan have both gone through separate journeys, but both realized that mental and spiritual health is a significant factor in their effectiveness in ministry. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Does physical health affect my ability to do ministry? This week we tackled why physical health impacts our effectiveness in ministry. David and Ryan have both gone through separate health journeys, but both realized that physical health is a significant factor in their effectiveness in ministry. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message

Do you desire to have a student-led worship team? Don’t know where to start? This week we talked about how to build a student-led worship team and how having students leading in worship is vital in youth ministry. Get Connected with Youth & Culture: Facebook Instagram Youtube Covenant Eyes: If you want more information on Covenant Eyes and how to protect your home or use it as a resource for parents and students in your ministry then click the link! Make sure you signup today! Music Provided By: hooksounds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ryan-sebastian/message