Welcome to the Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast. Vitals for youth ministry is a biblical framework based out of Acts 2:42-46, developed by Lead The Generation that trains youth leaders to build a local church youth ministry focused on developing students into healthy disciples. In this podcast we will focus on the topics and issues most relevant to leadership in Youth Ministry. The Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast is hosted by Eran Holt, founder of Lead The Generation & Caleb Leake, Youth…
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Preparing for Gen Alpha, Discipling Digital Natives, & Quiet Revival in Youth Ministry
In this episode, we sit down with Sam McCollough from Feed.Bible to explore hopeful trends in youth ministry and equip next generation leaders to guide students toward lasting faith. We unpack what it means to be “emerging committed,” identify markers of spiritual formation , and share strategies for discipling students in a world shaped by AI and digital culture. Discover how to close the gap…
Why Intimacy with God Gets Lost in Ministry w/ John Zick
A heart-first kickoff to season two on the power of abiding in Jesus, why confidence flows from intimacy with God, and how to diagnose fruit to find the root. We talk with John Zick about honest stories, simple rhythms, and practical boundaries to guard your heart and lead from overflow. • Defining abiding as ongoing relationship with God • Rival mentality versus true fulfillment • Fruit…
Finding Leaders in Any Church, the Playbook for Leader Development, & the Third Voice
We share a field-tested playbook for building a healthy youth leadership team, from recruiting people who care to training them with simple rhythms that last. Ashton Peters unpacks “The Third Voice,” showing how mentors help students from unchurched homes grow with steady guidance. • Leadership development as the engine of sustainable youth ministry • Recruiting seasoned adults and diverse voices…
Long-Game Leadership & Building a Ministry That Can Sustain Growth
We pull back the curtain on youth ministry insecurity, comparison, and the pressure to make every Wednesday hinge on one person, then map a better way—equipping leaders, planning with purpose, and building systems that last. Gabby O’Rourke shares candid stories and a practical framework to turn vision into sustained growth. • Naming insecurity and resisting comparison • Equipping volunteers over…
Making the Gospel Tangible, Turning Moments into Eternal Impact, & Inspiring Everyday Faith
We sit down with Reggie Dabbs to explore how presence, scripture, and bold invitations move students from passive listeners to active disciples. From back-row handshakes to altar calls, we unpack a simple, focused path to help students live on mission every day. • Making mission normal in daily life • Earning trust with presence and integrity • Using scripture as the engine of change • Writing…
A Blueprint for Small Groups, Practical Leader Habits, & Creating a Culture of Belonging
We talk with Carrie Brooks about building a safe, Jesus-centered community where students can belong while they figure out what they believe. From a hilarious living-room play to a practical playbook for small groups, this is a master class in culture, habits, and care. • Why belonging is the on-ramp to belief • Five measurable habits for small-group leaders • Structuring grade and gender groups…
Why the Church's Future Isn't Innovation & How to Reclaim Biblical Depth
We explore how authority from God creates confidence without ego and why rebuilding Bible literacy is the safest path back to health in youth ministry. John Rush shares stories, practical tools, and a call to play the long game: disciple deeply and watch evangelism grow. • Authority that produces humility and courage • Candid youth ministry stories and lessons learned • Celebrating innovation…
Igniting Evangelism, Modeling the Call, and Cultivating a Missional Culture
Phil Johnson shares how to create a youth ministry culture centered on missional living by modeling authentic evangelism and celebrating students who live out the Great Commission in their daily lives. • Discipleship and evangelism should be integrated, not treated as separate ministry focuses • Creating a missional culture starts with what we celebrate in our youth ministry • Students often focus…
Mobilizing Missional Leaders, Volunteer Recruitment Strategies, and Building Pipelines That Multiply
Joseph Kellogg shares his strategic approach to leadership development in youth ministry, focusing on how to mobilize leaders for a missional youth movement. His four-year strategy prioritizes multiplication at every level, creating systems that transform followers into commissioned leaders who can effectively reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha. • Joseph has been in youth ministry for 24 years and recently…
The Gospel Beyond the Altar Call, Turning Messages into Mission, and Igniting Root-Level Transformation
We explore how gospel fluency should be at the center of youth ministry, extending beyond just the moment of salvation to transform every aspect of students' lives and propel them into mission. • Gospel fluency is often overlooked because we assume students already understand the basics • Students live in a works-based world where they're constantly graded on performance, which is contrary to the…