Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen

Nick Blevins: Church Leader, Speaker and Coach
  • 4.5 (87)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast is where you can hear from top leaders in children’s ministry, student ministry and family ministry. You’ll learn the principles and practices they use to lead families with the goal of helping you maximize the potential in your ministry. For more content and notes, head to nickblevins.com.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 306: Parenting and Leading with Purpose with Angie Hooie

    In this episode, Nick sits down with David and Angie Hooie from Two Rivers Church to talk about healthy rhythms in ministry, marriage, parenting, and church leadership. Angie shares how their “Purposeful Parenting” group began as an experiment to help busy parents connect and grow spiritually, while David offers a unique perspective as the spouse of someone serving in vocational ministry. Together, they discuss practical ways to maintain a healthy marriage, avoid burnout in ministry, prioritize Sabbath, and create intentional family rhythms that last. Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and introductions 00:42 – Meet David & Angie Hooie and their family 02:14 – Angie’s role at Two Rivers Church and church growth 03:10 – How the “Purposeful Parenting” group started 05:06 – Why parents need connection and community 06:03 – Why traditional small groups don’t work for some families 08:47 – Parenting groups during church services and practical logistics 10:14 – Topics parents are asking about most today 11:21 – Technology, anxiety, discipline, and parenting challenges 13:03 – Healthy marriage rhythms and putting God first 16:31 – Love languages, communication, and understanding your spouse 18:05 – Why couples need to keep dating after marriage 19:15 – The “no talking about the kids” date night challenge 21:00 – Supporting a spouse in vocational ministry 22:57 – Ministry as a calling and learning to embrace the role 25:05 – Worship, Sabbath, and staying spiritually healthy in ministry 26:36 – Lessons from Israel and practicing intentional Sabbath rhythms 28:03 – Ministry burnout and the importance of rest 30:47 – How to connect with David & Angie Hooie 31:09 – Final encouragement for ministry leaders and parents If you’re serving in ministry, raising kids, or trying to build healthier rhythms in your marriage and family, this episode is packed with practical encouragement and honest conversation.

    31 min

  2. MAY 19

    Episode 305: How to Raise Kids with a Faith That Sticks with David Rausch

    What makes a child’s faith last beyond high school? In this conversation, Nick Blevins sits down with children’s ministry leader and Go Curriculum founder David Rausch to talk about the growing number of young adults walking away from church—and what churches and parents can do differently. David shares the heart behind his book Feeding Faith: The Discipleship of Kids That Last, the story behind launching Go Curriculum, and the practical “EAT Strategy” for building lasting faith in kids through education, application, and transformation. This episode is packed with practical ministry insights, encouragement for parents and church leaders, and actionable ways to help kids develop a real relationship with Jesus that sticks. Timestamps04:08 – David Rausch’s ministry journey and children’s ministry background 06:06 – The origin story of Go Curriculum 13:00 – Why David wrote Feeding Faith 13:45 – The alarming reality of kids leaving church after high school 16:03 – Why this is a children’s ministry issue, not just a youth ministry issue 17:01 – The “EAT Strategy”: Education, Application, and Transformation 18:02 – Why biblical education alone isn’t enough 19:00 – Putting application in the right place within lessons 20:15 – The missing piece: spiritual transformation 21:00 – Helping kids build a real relationship with God 23:20 – Practical ways to create transformational moments in ministry 24:00 – Making the gospel central in every lesson 25:00 – Teaching kids how to respond to the gospel 26:20 – Using response stations, prayer, journaling, and reflection with kids 27:50 – Why so many young adults leave church after graduation 29:30 – The critical role parents play in lasting faith formation 30:40 – Why churches need spiritual parenting strategies 32:00 – How culture has shifted parenting responsibility onto the church 33:00 – Why lead pastors must champion family discipleship 34:10 – Where to get Feeding Faith and Go Curriculum resources 35:00 – David’s hope for helping more kids develop faith that lasts

    37 min

  3. MAY 12

    Episode 304: Why Child Discipleship Matters More Than Ever with Matt Markins

    What stories are shaping the faith and worldview of today’s kids? In this episode, Nick sits down with Matt Markins, CEO of Awana, to talk about child discipleship, biblical worldview formation, and the core message of his new book, The Story We Tell Our Children. Matt shares his personal story, the research behind Awana’s child discipleship focus, and why churches need to move beyond “Bible-lite” teaching toward helping kids understand the full story of Scripture. They discuss: The three biggest factors that shape lasting faith in childrenWhy many churches unintentionally teach moralism instead of the gospelThe difference between teaching Bible stories and teaching the story of the BibleHow screen culture and modern media shape kids’ worldviewWhy parents and churches both play critical roles in faith formationHow Awana’s Bright curriculum approaches Scripture and discipleshipIf you care about helping kids develop resilient, lasting faith in Jesus, this conversation is packed with practical insight and theological depth. Timestamps00:00 Intro and Welcome 00:24 Matt Markins’ Personal Story and Journey into Ministry 03:40 How Awana Has Changed Over the Years 05:20 Why Midweek Kids Ministry Is Growing Again 07:15 The Three Biggest Factors That Shape Lasting Faith 09:20 The Story We Tell Our Children 11:00 Counterfeit Stories Shaping Today’s Kids 13:10 The Role Parents and Churches Play in Faith Formation 15:30 What “Bible-Light” Teaching Looks Like 18:45 Moralism vs the Gospel in Kids Ministry 20:00 Bible Stories vs the Story of the Bible 23:15 How Much Bible Content Kids Can Actually Absorb 25:35 Measuring Child Discipleship Effectiveness 31:20 Can Churches Really Measure Spiritual Growth? 32:20 The Vision Behind Bright Curriculum 34:15 How Bright Approaches Bible Teaching and Discipleship 36:10 Final Thoughts and Resources

    37 min

  4. APR 21

    Episode 303: Church Assimilation Now with Greg Curtis & Tommy Carreras

    What does it actually take to help families move from attending to fully engaged? In this episode, Nick sits down with Greg Curtis and Tommy Carreras to talk about the real challenges churches are facing right now when it comes to assimilation and next steps. They unpack what’s changed over the last few years, why many church assimilation strategies are no longer working, and what they’re experimenting with right now to better connect people into community and serving. You’ll hear: Why most churches are running outdated inherited programsThe shift from information to connection and why that matters more than everThe pros and cons of 7 week, 4 week, and 1 week next step modelsWhy volunteering is often the best first step for engagementA brand new approach Greg is testing that could reshape assimilation strategiesIf you want to help people take real next steps toward Jesus, not just attend, this conversation will challenge how you think about assimilation. 00:00 Intro and Guest Welcome 01:00 Greg and Tommy Backgrounds 03:00 The Evolution of Assimilation at Eastside 06:00 From 7 Weeks to 4 Weeks to 1 Week 09:30 Why Most Church Assimilation Strategies Fail 12:00 The Power of Connection over Information 14:30 Why Volunteering Is the Best First Step 18:30 Rethinking Discipleship and Small Groups 22:00 What Most Churches Are Doing Wrong Right Now 24:30 The “Window” for Getting People Engaged 27:00 How Long It Actually Takes to Get Connected 29:30 Why Timing and Targeting Matter 32:00 Stop Overloading People with Information 35:00 Just-in-Time vs Just-in-Case Communication 37:30 The One Week Model Explained 41:00 New Trends Post-COVID in Church Engagement 43:30 A Bold New Assimilation Strategy 46:00 Interest Meetings Instead of Classes 48:30 Creating “Hot Leads” Instead of Cold Leads 50:00 The Role of Follow-Up and “Knownness” 52:00 Practical Ideas Churches Can Try Right Now 54:00 Climbing the Assimileas and Sherpa Tribe 56:00 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

    55 min

  5. MAR 18

    Episode 302: How to VBS with Jeremy O'Neill

    What makes a great VBS, and how do you pull one off without burning yourself out in the process? In this episode, Nick sits down with Jeremy O'Neill to talk all things VBS, from big-picture planning and promotion timelines to volunteer leadership, programming strategy, registration questions, and what actually makes a VBS successful. Jeremy shares lessons from years in local church kids ministry, why he wrote How to VBS, and how church leaders can think more clearly about whether their event is primarily about evangelism, discipleship, or both. They also talk through practical issues every ministry leader faces: when to start planning, whether VBS should be free or paid, how to reduce no-shows, how to measure if your event is really reaching new families, and how to use summer events to build your volunteer team for the rest of the year. Jeremy also shares creative ideas like staggered promotion plans, invite-day strategy, planning grids that reduce stress, and how VBS leadership roles can become a training ground for future ministry leaders. Whether you’re leading a traditional VBS, a summer camp, or any large kids ministry event, this conversation is full of practical wisdom to help you plan smarter, lead better, and make the most of one of the biggest ministry opportunities of the year. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why Jeremy wrote How to VBSA realistic VBS planning timelineSave the date vs theme reveal vs registration launchFree vs paid VBS and the pros and cons of eachHow to think about attendance, outreach, and follow-upEvangelism vs discipleship in VBS strategyA smart registration question every church should askHow to use VBS to recruit and develop future leadersPlanning grids and systems that reduce overwhelmJeremy’s new projects: Simple Kids Ministry, KidmenU, and the VBS VaultLinks mentioned: Howtovbs.comSimpleKidsMinistry.comKidminU.com Chapters 00:00 Intro and welcome 00:07 Why this is the right time to talk about VBS 00:54 Jeremy O'Neill update and what he’s doing now 01:25 Family update, adoption, and life with two little ones 03:01 Why Jeremy wrote How to VBS 06:10 What makes this book different from publisher guides 07:13 The structure of the book: planning, programming, and people 09:11 When should you start planning VBS? 12:03 Save the date, theme reveal, and registration strategy 13:15 Should VBS be free or paid? 17:43 How pricing affects commitment and no-shows 18:35 What actually makes a VBS successful? 21:37 Practical ways to reach more new families 22:24 The power of an invite day 24:29 Is VBS more about evangelism or discipleship? 31:53 A must-have registration question for every VBS 34:08 Programming tip: planning grids that reduce stress 42:54 People tip: use VBS to identify and develop leaders 47:44 Jeremy shares about Simple Kids Ministry and KidmenU 48:53 Book release, VBS Vault, and where to find everything 51:10 Final thoughts and wrap-up

    52 min

  6. JAN 27

    Episode 301: Preteen Ministry – What’s Old & New with Sean Sweet

    In this episode, Sean Sweet shares insights on the evolution and importance of preteen ministry, drawing from his transition from church staff to leading a nonprofit focused on preteen resources. He highlights the unique developmental needs of preteens, the value of intentional programming, and how preteen ministry can effectively bridge children’s and youth ministries through engaging, community-building experiences. Sean SweetConnect with Sean and find resources at the following sites: Sean's EmailFourFiveSix.orgThe Volunteer PlaybookMy first book is out! Buy the book by visiting volunteerplaybook.com or by visiting Amazon.  Episode NotesKey TakeawaysPreteen ministry is essential for addressing the unique developmental needs of preteens.Creating intentional spaces for preteens is crucial for their growth and engagement.Events specifically for preteens help them take ownership of their faith and friendships.The evolution of preteen ministry has led to more resources and awareness in churches today.Leadership structure matters; preteen ministries can thrive under either children's or youth ministry, depending on context.Preteens are at a stage where they begin to question and explore their faith more deeply.Distinct experiences for preteens help them transition smoothly into youth ministry.The importance of community and relationship-building in preteen ministry cannot be overstated.Preteen ministry should not mimic youth ministry but rather cater to the specific needs of preteens.The age of 12 is significant in faith development, marking a transition in maturity.Watch it on YouTube Ministry Boost CoachingClick here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost. Get An Email When Each New Episode Comes OutUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or Tune In radio. Keep your friends and co-workers up-to-date

    27 min

  7. JAN 20

    Episode 300: Measuring Success in Kidmin Beyond Head Counts with Jen Edwards

    In this episode, Jen Edwards explores how to measure health in kids ministry beyond attendance and numbers. She emphasizes evaluating milestones, building trust with families, and understanding long-term impact while navigating the pressure of performance metrics in ministry. Jen EdwardsConnect with Jen and find resources at the following sites: Jen Edwards WebsiteJen Edwards IGThe Volunteer PlaybookMy first book is out! Buy the book by visiting volunteerplaybook.com or by visiting Amazon.  Episode NotesKey TakeawaysJen Edwards has a decade of experience in kids ministry.Measuring success should go beyond just head counts.Milestones like baptisms and dedications are key indicators of health.Trust is built through consistent relationships with leaders.Attendance numbers can be misleading and should be contextualized.It's important to track engagement and partnership with families.The long-term impact of ministry is often unseen but significant.Ministry work requires patience and a focus on relationships.Leaders should not tie their worth to attendance numbers.Engagement metrics can provide a more accurate picture of success.Watch it on YouTube Ministry Boost CoachingClick here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost. Get An Email When Each New Episode Comes OutUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or Tune In radio. Keep your friends and co-workers up-to-date as well by sharing it with them via email or social media. Special Sponsor: ClearstreamThis episode is sponsored by Clearstream. Clearstream.io works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, C

    22 min

  8. JAN 13

    Episode 299: Volunteer Care & Appreciation with Jessica Bealer

    In this episode, Jessica Bealer shares insights from her experience in family ministry, focusing on volunteer management and building healthy team cultures. She highlights the importance of clear communication, volunteer care and appreciation, and layered leadership to effectively support and retain volunteers in today’s church environment. Jessica BealerConnect with Jessica and find resources at the following sites: Jessica Bealer IGJessica Bealer at GenerisThe Volunteer PlaybookMy first book is out! Buy the book by visiting volunteerplaybook.com or by visiting Amazon.  Episode NotesKey TakeawaysJessica Bealer has 23 years of experience in family ministry.The church must adapt to technology, including AI, for efficiency.Multi-use strategies for church buildings can bridge community gaps.Communication methods must evolve as people are less responsive to emails.Healthy volunteer culture is crucial for church growth and retention.Clarity, empowerment, and appreciation are key to volunteer longevity.Personalized communication fosters deeper connections with volunteers.Layered leadership is essential for managing larger volunteer teams.Creative appreciation strategies can enhance volunteer morale.Understanding volunteer retention rates helps in effective recruitment.Watch it on YouTube Ministry Boost CoachingClick here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost. Get An Email When Each New Episode Comes OutUse the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. Subscribe | Share | Rate | CommentTo make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or Tune In radio. Keep your friends and co-workers up-to-date as well by sharing it with them via email or social media. Special Sponsor: ClearstreamThis episode is sponsored by Clearstream. C

    40 min
See All (304)

4.5
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

The Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast is where you can hear from top leaders in children’s ministry, student ministry and family ministry. You’ll learn the principles and practices they use to lead families with the goal of helping you maximize the potential in your ministry. For more content and notes, head to nickblevins.com.

Information

You Might Also Like