# youth ministry (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover youth ministry. Page: Feed: --- ## [Faith in Action: Supporting Youth During ICE Activity](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/faith-in-action-supporting-youth-during-ice-activity/) _2026-08-07 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ What does faith in action look like when students are living with fear and uncertainty? Through one youth minister's personal experience, discover practical guidance and pastoral encouragement for supporting young people during ICE activity. The post Faith in Action: Supporting Youth During ICE Activity appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Around the Circle: A Conversation with Laura Alary](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/around-the-circle-author-interview/) _2026-07-27 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ A conversation with Laura Alary about her new picture book, Around the Circle. From Advent to Easter, she shares how stories, traditions, and wonder help children develop a resilient, hope-filled faith. The post Around the Circle: A Conversation with Laura Alary appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Amazing Generation, Part Three: Practical Tips for Implementing a Phone-Free Youth Ministry](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/amazing-generation-part-three-practical-tips-for-implementing-a-phone-free-youth-ministry/) _2026-07-20 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ Wondering how to actually implement a phone-free youth ministry? In Part Three of the Amazing Generation series, we explore practical ideas for communicating with families, equipping leaders, creating group covenants, and helping students build healthier relationships with technology. The post Amazing Generation, Part Three: Practical Tips for Implementing a Phone-Free Youth Ministry appeared… ## [Amazing Generation, Part Two: Helping Your Church Embrace Phone-Free Youth Ministry](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/amazing-generation-part-two/) _2026-07-13 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ A phone-free youth ministry begins long before students put their phones away. In Part Two of Amazing Generation, discover practical ways to engage parents, children, youth, and adults in conversations about technology, faith, and belonging. The post Amazing Generation, Part Two: Helping Your Church Embrace Phone-Free Youth Ministry appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Amazing Generation, Part One: Why Churches Should Create Phone-Free Youth Spaces](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/amazing-generation-part-one/) _2026-07-04 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ Smartphones have transformed the way young people connect—but at what cost? In Part One of the Amazing Generation series, we explore the research behind phone-free youth ministry and why churches are uniquely positioned to create spaces of genuine belonging. The post Amazing Generation, Part One: Why Churches Should Create Phone-Free Youth Spaces appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Reconstructing My Faith: Postmodernity, Bullies, and Uncle Carl](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/06/reconstructing-my-faith-postmodernity.html) _2026-06-29 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Well, you knew we'd eventually get to Mark Driscoll if we started talking about deconstructing and reconstructing my faith, right? \[insert heavy sigh here\] Postmodernity In the spring of 1997, I attended the GenX church planting conference at Mount Hermon (a Christian retreat center in California). One of the speakers there was Mark Driscoll, who spoke passionately about the collapse of modernity,… ## [Inclusive Youth Ministry: Planning with Marginalized Youth in Mind](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/inclusive-youth-ministry-planning/) _2026-06-08 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ Creating inclusive youth ministry starts long before an event begins. Learn practical ways to center marginalized youth through safety, accessibility, equity, and belonging as you plan your programs and gatherings. The post Inclusive Youth Ministry: Planning with Marginalized Youth in Mind appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [#1: Race for the Galaxy (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/06/1-race-for-galaxy-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-06-02 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Race for the Galaxy BoardGameGeek rank: 94 rating: 7.7 published: 2007 designer: Tom Lehmann Print Status in print Why It's On The List After you climb the iconography mountain to figure out the game, Race for the Galaxy is an amazing adventure in hand management & reading your opponents' mind - made even better by clever card design & interaction as well as great sci-fi art. Tips & Tricks… ## [#2: Memoir '44 (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/06/2-memoir-44-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-06-01 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Memoir '44 BoardGameGeek rank: 222 rating: 7.5 published: 2004 designer: Richard Borg Print Status in print Why It's On The List The best (and best supported!) of the Command & Colors games... it combines a wonderous toy factor (plastic army men & tanks!) along with remarkably evocative recreations of WW2 battles. This is the perfect collision of all the eras of my gaming life: it's got enough… ## [#3: Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/3-arydia-paths-we-dare-tread-marks-top.html) _2026-05-31 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread BoardGameGeek rank: 403 rating: 9.0 published: 2025 designers: Cody Miller & Ira Fray Print Status a second printing is on the way this fall Why It's On The List This is a lovingly crafted and brilliantly designed open world fantasy adventure, full of surprises and grace notes and moments of real emotion. Add in the "advent calendar" reveal of the miniatures, the… ## [Earn crypto for idle GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/XQve45bspGAL) _2026-05-31 · **Sponsored**_ Run one CLI, host Qwen/Llama/Mistral, and earn BTC, ETH, SOL, or USDC ## [#4: Clash of Cultures (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/4-clash-of-cultures-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-30 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Clash of Cultures BoardGameGeek rank: 231 rating: 8.3 published: 2012 designer: Christian Marcussen Print Status the original edition is out of print... but the new edition (which includes the impossible to find expansion and a number of tweaks) is available Why It's On The List My favorite civilization-building game... the free-wheeling tech-tree and relatively simple mechanics make for an… ## [#5: Terraforming Mars (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/5-terraforming-mars-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-29 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Terraforming Mars BoardGameGeek rank: 9 rating: 8.3 published: 2016 Jacob Fryxelius Print Status in print Why It's On The List Despite my attempts to avoid Terraforming Mars for a number of years, this game sucked me in. It combines hand management, resource management, engine-building, leeching off other players work, racing to complete goals, and even a bit of take that. And it works. Tips &… ## [#6: Return to Dark Tower (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/6-return-to-dark-tower-marks-top-100.html) _2026-05-28 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Return to Dark Tower BoardGameGeek rank: 227 rating: 8.2 published: 2022 designers: Tim Burrell-Saward, Rob Daviau, Isaac Childres, Noah Cohen, Justin Jacobsen, & Brian Neff Print Status available Why It's On The List A completely immersive cooperative game that utilizes the "gimmick" of the tower beautifully, integrates the app into the game in ways that make the game more playable, and doubles… ## [#7: Dungeonquest (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/7-dungeonquest-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-27 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Dungeonquest BoardGameGeek rank: 2,411 rating: 6.8 published: 1985 designers: Jakob Bonds & Dan Glimne Print Status out of print... in all three editions (sigh) Why It's On The List I have always described this game as "similar to playing Dungeons & Dragons with a DM who hates your guts" - it's a short (no more than an hour...and often shorter!), brutal & intensely fun experience game/dungeon… ## [#8: Xia: Legends of a Drift System (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/8-xia-legends-of-drift-system-marks-top.html) _2026-05-26 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Xia: Legends of a Drift System BoardGameGeek rank: 195 rating: 7.9 published: 2014 designer: Cody MIller Print Status in print (off and on) Why It's On The List This is truly a sandbox game with epic scope - I liken it to FFG's Outer Rim but without any guardrails. Fantastic production values added to gameplay that encourages creating swashbuckling stories makes this one of the best pandemic… ## [#9: Heroscape (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/9-heroscape-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-25 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Heroscape BoardGameGeek rank: 570 rating: 7.5 published: 2004 designers: Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau, and Craig Van Ness Print Status in print!!!! Why It's On The List Heroscape is the ultimate blending of board game & miniatures game... and, in a slick move that allowed them to make lots of cool figures, a great blending of genres, as all the characters are warriors sucked through time & space into… ## [#10: Dead Reckoning (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/10-dead-reckoning-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-24 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Dead Reckoning BoardGameGeek rank: 361 rating: 8.1 published: 2022 designers: John D. Clair Print Status in print? Why It's On The List Not only is this my favorite pirate game (though I will admit that Pirates on the High Seas has more actual blowing stuff up), it's also the best usage of the card-crafting mechanic John D. Clair dreamed up. Tips & Tricks: Don't be fooled by the pirate ship cube… ## [#11: Fast Food Franchise (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/11-fast-food-franchise-marks-top-100.html) _2026-05-23 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Fast Food Franchise BoardGameGeek rank: 8,576 rating: 6.3 published: 1992 designer: Tom Lehmann Print Status really out of print Why It's On The List Imagine if the designer of Race for the Galaxy decided to take making a roll'n'move that both gamers & non-gamers could love... that combined some very Monopoly-ish elements with tactical board play. And then you can wake up & play it, because this… ## [#12: Lost Ruins of Arnak (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/12-lost-ruins-of-arnak-marks-top-100.html) _2026-05-22 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Lost Ruins of Arnak BoardGameGeek rank: 30 rating: 8.1 published: 2020 designers: Elwen & Min Print Status in print Why It's On The List Yes, it's another combination of worker placement and deck-building... but don't let that fool you. The gameplay is well-thought-out, the artwork/graphic design is gorgeous, and there are meaningful timing and resource management choices throughout. Tips &… ## [#13: Everdell (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/13-everdell-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-21 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Everdell BoardGameGeek rank: 42 rating: 8.0 published: 2018 designer: James A. Wilson Print Status in print Why It's On The List Based on the recommendations of others gamers (especially fellow Opinionated Gamer Chris Wray), I splurged on the Everdell Complete Collection without ever having played the game. As you can tell by where I placed this on my top 100 list, I don't regret that decision.… ## [PixelRift — Platforming with Level Editor (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/SZaOdhFuMuOd) _2026-05-21 · **Sponsored**_ Includes a built-in level editor, campaign with elemental heroes, and boss encounters. ## [#14: Galactic Cruise (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/14-galactic-cruise-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-20 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Galactic Cruise BoardGameGeek rank: 121 rating: 8.3 published: 2025 designers: T.K. King, Dennis Northcott, & Koltin Thompson Print Status in print Why It's On The List Galactic Cruise isn’t a huge step forward in gaming innovation – it’s a worker placement game with a variety of ways to score in-game and end game points. But the design accomplishes that with such style and thematic integration… ## [#15: It's A Wonderful World (Mark's Top 10 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/15-its-wonderful-world-marks-top-10-2026.html) _2026-05-19 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ It's A Wonderful World BoardGameGeek rank: 185 rating: 7.6 published: 2019 designer: Frédéric Guérard Print Status in print Why It's On The List A slightly more gamer-y 7 Wonders-ish card drafting game of civilization building... but that description sounds like damning with faint praise. The major difference is that you’re drafting a set of cards that you then use as resources (discarding them)… ## [#16: Minigolf Designer (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/16-minigolf-designer-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-18 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Minigolf Designer BoardGameGeek rank: 3,602 rating: 7.8 published: 2020 designer: Alban Nanty Print Status in print Why It's On The List Take the part I like best about Kingdomino (the drafting system), use it to drive a tile placement game with thematic scoring (like Carcassonne but without the arguments about which set of farm rules we’ll be using), and provided the proper components (big cloth… ## [#17: 7 Wonders (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/17-7-wonders-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-17 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ 7 Wonders BoardGameGeek rank: 117 rating: 7.7 published: 2010 designer: Antoine Bauza Print Status in print Why It's On The List Card drafting meets civilization building... and it's playable with 3-7 players in a pretty consistent 45 minutes. No "wonder" it got all those awards... Tips & Tricks: You don't have to jump on the science train to score big points - but you do need to burn up science… ## [#18: Endeavor: Deep Sea (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/18-endeavor-deep-sea-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-16 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Endeavor: Deep Sea BoardGameGeek rank: 80 rating: 8.2 published: 2024 designers: Carl de Visser & Jarratt Gray Print Status in print Why It's On The List Games like Endeavor: Deep Sea are the poster children for designers taking a second (or third!) pass at their designs... and a stunning argument for the power of excellent graphic design (both art & iconography). Tips & Tricks: You cannot ignore… ## [#19: Ticket to Ride (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/19-ticket-to-ride-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-15 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Ticket to Ride BoardGameGeek rank: 259 rating: 7.4 published: 2004 designer: Alan R. Moon Print Status in print Why It's On The List Gorgeous production coupled with easy gameplay... a classic theme (trains!) coupled with a classic Rummy set-collection mechanic... just as playable with 2 as it is with 5. Tips & Tricks: Playing with 3 or 5 players is MUCH more cutthroat than playing with 2 or 4,… ## [#20: Dungeon Alliance (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/20-dungeon-alliance-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-14 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Dungeon Alliance BoardGameGeek rank: 2,628 rating: 7.5 published: 2018 designer: Andrew Parks Print Status out of print Why It's On The List A think-y, puzzle-y dungeon crawl that's dripping with theme and story. The designer (Andrew Parks) mixes deck-building with tactical movement on the board to create a rich world for competitive, cooperative, and solo play. Tips & Tricks: Dungeon Alliance is… ## [#21: Can't Stop (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/21-cant-stop-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-13 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Can't Stop BoardGameGeek rank: 764 rating: 6.9 published: 1980 designer: Sid Sackson Print Status in print Why It's On The List In my ever-so-humble opinion, this (and not Acquire ) is Sid Sackson's masterpiece. It's so simple & yet so engaging. Tips & Tricks: One of the niftier variants to try is "one piece per space" - in other words, you can't stop rolling if you would have to place a marker on… ## [#22: Pirates of Maracaibo (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/22-pirates-of-maracaibo-marks-top-100.html) _2026-05-12 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Pirates of Maracaibo BoardGameGeek rank: 426 rating: 7.9 published: 2023 designers: Ralph Bienert, Ryan Hendrickson, & Alexander Pfister Print Status in print Why It's On The List The first time I saw Alexander Pfister’s Maracaibo played, it took a crew of dedicated heavy gamers 4+ hours to finish. (They all loved it – but it was, well, “a lot”.) So, rather than invest in the physical game, I… ## [#23: Baseball Highlights: 2045 (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/23-baseball-highlight-2045-marks-top.html) _2026-05-11 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Baseball Highlights 2045 BoardGameGeek rank: 704 rating: 7.5 published: 2015 designer: Mike Fitzgerald Print Status in print Why It's On The List The name implies the genius of the design - with a six card hand, you aren't simulating a whole baseball game... you're just showing us the highlights. Set in a future timestream where robots are batters and pitchers have cybernetic arms, this wonderful… ## [8.1% APY Plus Free Stock (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/TKbh6vCRctnO) _2026-05-11 · **Sponsored**_ Claim 8.1% APY and up to $1,030 in SK hynix and Nvidia stock. ## [#24: Dungeon Lords (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)](https://akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/05/24-dungeon-lords-marks-top-100-2026.html) _2026-05-10 · Mark (aka pastor guy) · aka pastor guy_ Dungeon Lords BoardGameGeek rank: 435 rating: 7.3 published: 2009 designer: Vlaada Chvátil Print Status in print? Why It's On The List Flip your standard adventurers v. monsters around and put players in the role of harried dungeon masters trying to fend off sticky-fingered heroes. Add loads of RPG and WoW-related humor... and tie it together with an almost perfect melding of mechanic and theme.… ## [Neurodiversity in Worship: Creating a More Inclusive Church](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/neurodiversity-in-worship-inclusive-church/) _2026-05-01 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ Neurodiversity is a beautiful part of our communities. Explore simple, practical ways to create more inclusive worship spaces where everyone can participate fully. The post Neurodiversity in Worship: Creating a More Inclusive Church appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [The Parent I Thought I’d Be—and the One I Became](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/faith-and-parenting-what-i-learned-as-a-mother/) _2026-04-01 · Illustrated Ministry · Illustrated Ministry_ A personal reflection on how faith, deconstruction, and parenting reshape what we believe about control, love, and what it means to raise children in an inclusive, liberating way. The post The Parent I Thought I’d Be—and the One I Became appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Practicing Public Faith: Going to a Protest](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/public-faith-and-protest-guide/) _2026-03-13 · Allie Lee · Illustrated Ministry_ What does it mean to practice faith in public life? This guide explores how attending a protest can be an expression of faith and offers thoughtful preparation tips. The post Practicing Public Faith: Going to a Protest appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Craftivism: Practicing Public Faith Through Creative Resistance](https://www.illustratedministry.com/2026/craftivism-for-faith-communities/) _2026-03-06 · Allie Lee · Illustrated Ministry_ What happens when creativity meets public faith? Craftivism invites communities to stitch together storytelling, resistance, and hope. In this post, explore examples of craft as quiet resistance and a simple patch-making activity for youth. The post Craftivism: Practicing Public Faith Through Creative Resistance appeared first on Illustrated Ministry . ## [Crafting a Clear Vision and Mission for Your Diocesan Youth Ministry](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/crafting-a-clear-vision-and-mission) _2025-10-27 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Strategic ministry starts here. ## [How to Say “No” in Youth Ministry](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/how-to-say-no-in-youth-ministry) _2025-10-13 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Most youth ministers need to say it more often. ## [How to Run a One-Day Catholic Youth Event That Can Grow to 1000+ Young People](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/how-to-run-a-one-day-catholic-youth) _2025-09-22 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Everything you need to know. ## [Don’t Just Manage Your Team Members, Disciple Them](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/dont-just-manage-your-team-members) _2025-06-02 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ The goal is always forming lifelong disciples. ## [Want to Avoid Youth Ministry Burnout? You Need a Rule of Life](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/want-to-avoid-youth-ministry-burnout) _2025-05-19 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Sustainability starts with structure. ## [The Best Youth Ministry Bridges Parish and Secondary School](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/the-best-youth-ministry-bridges-parish) _2025-04-28 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Don’t choose between parish and school. Unite them. ## [Your Diocesan Youth Team Needs Regular Offsites](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/your-diocesan-youth-team-needs-regular) _2025-03-10 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Big-picture thinking won't happen unless you make space for it. ## [3 Mistakes Diocesan Youth Ministers Can’t Afford to Make](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/3-mistakes-diocesan-youth-ministers) _2025-02-24 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Too many dioceses fall into these same traps. ## [5 More Must-Read Books for Diocesan Youth Ministry](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/5-more-must-read-books-for-diocesan) _2025-01-27 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ To thrive in youth ministry, you need to be constantly learning. ## [Are You Making Time For Your First Foundations?](https://diocesanministry.substack.com/p/are-you-making-time-for-your-first) _2024-12-30 · Sam Brebner · Diocesan Youth Ministry_ Successful ministry is built on strong foundations.