Kids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder

Lifeway Podcasts
  • 4.7 (99)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

The Kids Ministry Calling Podcast is designed to inspire and equip kids ministry leaders in every season of their journey! Join us as we dive into heartfelt discussions, practical tips, and uplifting stories that remind you of the incredible calling God has placed on your life. Tune in to be reminded of your purpose, share in the joys and struggles of ministry, and find renewed strength in your calling. Together, we can remember to have joy in our calling! 

  1. 19h ago ·  Video

    65. Start a Kids Ministry Podcast with Nikki Ogden and Donnie Gordon

    What if one of the most effective tools for discipling families and encouraging volunteers is something you can create yourself? In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we're continuing our Summer Dreamin' series by exploring how podcasting can become a powerful extension of your kids ministry. Whether you've thought about starting a podcast or have no idea where to begin, this conversation will give you the confidence and practical steps to get started. Jana is joined by Video and Sound Engineer Donnie Gordon and Podcast Producer Nikki, who share how podcasting can help you connect with parents throughout the week, equip volunteers beyond Sunday mornings, and strengthen communication across your ministry. They also tackle common fears, simplify the technology, and explain why you don't need a professional studio to make a meaningful impact. If you're looking for a fresh way to reach families, encourage your team, and extend your ministry beyond the church walls, this episode will inspire you to dream bigger. Take 30 minutes this week to dream about how your ministry could connect with families outside of Sunday mornings. Maybe a podcast is the next step. Start by brainstorming three topics your parents or volunteers would love to hear about. Whether you're ready to hit record tomorrow or simply exploring what's possible, this episode will help you see that your voice can be a valuable resource for the families you serve! Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    42 min

  2. Jun 25 ·  Video

    64. Actionable Goals For Kids Ministry Leaders - Part 2 with Chuck Peters

    Big ministry vision is exciting until you try to turn it into Tuesday’s to-do list. We sit down with Chuck Peters to get practical about goal setting for kids ministry leaders, especially when you’re planning for the next season and trying to bring volunteers along with you. We talk about why “actionable, incremental goals” beat giant vague targets every time, and how to build a pathway your team can actually follow. We also dig into Bible engagement goals that move from aspiration to practice, including modeling Scripture use, helping kids own a Bible, and building repeatable habits week by week. If you’re doing summer planning, fall promotion prep, or volunteer training, this gives you a clear framework to simplify and move forward with confidence. Subscribe, share with a ministry friend, and leave a review so more leaders can find the show. Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    31 min

  3. Jun 18 ·  Video

    63. Goal Setting That Builds Real Spiritual Growth In Kids with Chuck Peters

    You can run an excellent kids ministry and still aim at the wrong target. That sounds harsh, but it is also freeing because it means you do not need more activity, you need clearer purpose.  In the first episode of our Summer Dreamin' series, Jana Magruder sits down with Chuck Peters, LifeWay’s Next Gen director and host of the ETCH NextGen Ministry Podcast, to talk about goal setting that moves beyond busywork and toward real spiritual growth for kids and families.   Chuck tells the true Olympic story of Matt Emmons, who hit a perfect bullseye yet lost because he shot the wrong target. It is the perfect picture of ministry life: calendars fill up, events go well, volunteers hustle, and we still wonder why lasting discipleship feels elusive. We unpack how to define success before you plan, how to resist comparison with the church next door, and how to step off the treadmill long enough to see the bigger picture.   From there, we get practical with two powerful goal-setting lenses. First, use the right lens: ministry goals are not “my goals,” they are goals for the church we serve, aligned with the overall mission, vision, and values. Second, use a long lens: begin with the end in mind and plan for kids to become godly adults, not just better-behaved children. We also talk tangible targets that support that long game, like building a culture of Bible reading and ensuring every child is known by name. If you are ready to move from activity to impact, press play, then share this with a teammate and subscribe so you do not miss part two! Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    31 min

  4. Trailer ·  Video

    Summer Dreamin' - New Season Coming Up!

    We're so excited about a new season of Kids Ministry Calling: Summer Dreamin'!  Now full video podcast on Youtube! Check us out at the Lifeway Channel. Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    4 min

  5. Apr 30

    62. Kids Ministry Fun Starts With You: How to Create an Engaging & Joyful Ministry Culture with Stephanie Chase

    Fun doesn’t just happen in kids ministry, it’s led. In this season finale of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Stephanie Chase, Kids Minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church, for a high-energy and honest conversation about what it really takes to build a culture of fun that kids (and volunteers) want to be part of. Stephanie shares why the leader sets the tone, how your energy and attitude shape the environment, and what it looks like to be intentional about bringing joy into every space—from classrooms to large group gatherings. This episode is both a celebration of everything we’ve learned this season about fun in kids ministry and a challenge to step into your role as the one who leads it. Because when leaders show up with purpose, presence, and joy—kids don’t just attend… they engage, belong, and grow. If you’re ready to stop waiting for fun to happen and start leading it, this episode will give you the clarity and encouragement to do just that. And as we close out this season, remember: fun isn’t extra—it’s a powerful part of how kids experience the love of Jesus!  SHOW LINKS:  Bible Stories for Life  Hyfi Explore the Bible for Kids  The Gospel Project for Kids SHAPE: Spritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    41 min

  6. Apr 23

    61. Teaching Kids to Worship with Miss PattyCake

    In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Miss PattyCake (Jean Thomason), a beloved leader in children’s ministry, to talk about helping kids connect with God through music, movement, and Scripture. From her early background in vocal performance to her calling in kids ministry, Jean shares how God has used her gifts to lead children into authentic worship. This conversation is full of encouragement and practical insight for both ministry leaders and parents who want to instill a love for worship early. Jean highlights the importance of engaging kids during their formative years and offers simple, meaningful ways to make worship both fun and foundational. You’ll also hear about her new resource, Storytime with Miss PattyCake, and how tools like this can support families in nurturing faith at home. Because when kids learn to worship, they’re not just singing songs—they’re learning to know, love, and follow Jesus. If you want to lead kids with joy, purpose, and a deeper focus on Jesus, this episode will inspire you to make worship a central—and fun—part of your ministry. SHOW LINKS:  Connect with Miss PattyCake Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    47 min

  7. Apr 16

    60. Midweek That Matters: Fun, Connection & Belonging in Kids Ministry with Kayla Fowlers and Jeremy Carroll

    In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we explore practical ways to make midweek kids ministry both fun and meaningful. From creating a relaxed, engaging environment to balancing teaching with relationship-building, this conversation is packed with ideas to help kids feel like they truly belong—not just attend. We unpack the FLIP model—a simple framework for building connections between kids, leaders, influencers, and pastors—and why those relationships are key to lasting discipleship. You’ll also hear how to use tools like Hi-Fi curriculum and TeamKid to equip volunteers, engage kids, and reinforce identity in Christ in ways that stick. Because at the end of the day, participation isn’t the goal—belonging is. Whether you’re rethinking your midweek strategy or looking for fresh ideas to energize your team, this episode will help you create a space where kids are known, valued, and excited to come back. Listen in and start building a midweek ministry kids don’t just show up to—they belong to. SHOW LINKS: Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    53 min

  8. Apr 9

    59.Designing Fun: Creating Engaging Kids Ministry Spaces with Joey Kiker

    Fun in kids ministry doesn’t happen by accident—it’s designed. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Joey Kiker, Lifeway’s Creative Director, to talk about how intentional design can transform the way kids experience ministry. From room layout to lighting to technology, Joey shares how the physical environment can help create spaces where kids feel excited, welcomed, and ready to engage. Joey unpacks the principles behind world building—the idea that every detail in your environment helps tell a story and invite kids into the experience. He also offers practical advice for churches looking to remodel or refresh their kids spaces, no matter the size of their budget. Whether you’re planning a major renovation or simply trying to make your classroom more inviting, this conversation will help you think creatively and strategically about the spaces where discipleship happens. Because when kids walk into a space designed with them in mind, they don’t just notice—it communicates that they matter. Listen in for practical ideas and fresh inspiration to create environments kids can’t wait to come back to. SHOW LINKS: Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback! Join us at ETCH 2026

    36 min
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4.7
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About

The Kids Ministry Calling Podcast is designed to inspire and equip kids ministry leaders in every season of their journey! Join us as we dive into heartfelt discussions, practical tips, and uplifting stories that remind you of the incredible calling God has placed on your life. Tune in to be reminded of your purpose, share in the joys and struggles of ministry, and find renewed strength in your calling. Together, we can remember to have joy in our calling! 

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