Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Doug Edwards
  • 4.9 (11)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Today's youth need youth pastors, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and most of all, they need YOU! Youth Worker On Fire is designed to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to be the best youth worker possible. Youth Worker On Fire podcast is full of valuable information from people who work with youth on a daily basis. It is also packed with interviews with former students (years later) in their adult life and how student ministry, or the lack of it, effected their future. Many are are changing their world and the world at large because of the influence of youth workers in their adolescent years. Listen as they share their stories of mentoring and positively influencing adolescents in today's world.

  1. 6d ago

    Who Are You Missing While Trying to Reach Everyone?

    What if trying to reach everyone is causing you to miss the people who need you most? It's easy in youth ministry, leadership, parenting, and life to believe that bigger reach automatically means bigger impact. But what if deeper impact starts by paying attention to who's already in front of you? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards explores an important lesson from decades of student ministry. Doug shares lessons from campus ministry, Youth for Christ, one youth worker who became deeply trusted by an entire high school community, and the importance of staying where God has planted you until He leads you somewhere else. You'll hear about: Why every student in your community matters Reaching a school campus through prayer and relationships Why bigger ministry doesn't always mean deeper impact Focusing on a few so many lives can eventually be changed Building trust with students, parents, teachers, and schools Staying where God has planted you Discipling students instead of simply being known by them Why one relationship can have an impact you may never fully see The danger of overlooking your family while serving everyone else Trusting God to provide the growth Whether you're a youth pastor, youth ministry volunteer, parent, teacher, coach, mentor, or someone who cares deeply about the next generation, this episode is a reminder that impact isn't always measured by how many people know your name. Sometimes it starts with noticing the person directly in front of you. Love them. Know them. Serve them. Disciple them. Then trust God with what grows from there. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Youth, Ministry, Students, Pastor, Volunteers, Leadership, Discipleship, Mentoring, Parents, Family, Schools, Campus, Prayer, Relationships, Influence, Jesus, Christian, Faith, Focus, Evangelism

    Who Are You Missing While Trying to Reach Everyone?

  2. Sep 2

    Someone Needs You to Stay in the Fight

    What if someone else is still going because you haven't quit? Leadership, ministry, parenting, mentoring, and simply caring for people can become exhausting—especially when you're giving everything you have and can't see whether it's making a difference. In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards explores perseverance, discouragement, faith, and the power of continuing to show up. Through Gideon's impossible odds, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:24, and nearly three decades of Doug's own ministry experience, this episode challenges us to trust God with the results and remember the people standing beside us. In this episode: Why your impact may be bigger than what you can currently see What to do when you're exhausted and tempted to quit Gideon and trusting God when the odds make no sense Galatians 6:9 and not growing tired of doing good Why perseverance isn't meant to happen alone Encouraging youth ministry volunteers and fellow leaders Why someone else may keep going because you did Staying faithful when the harvest isn't visible yet Protecting your family and closest relationships while serving others Trusting God to accomplish what you cannot Whether you're a youth pastor, youth ministry volunteer, teacher, coach, parent, mentor, Christian leader, or someone trying to faithfully invest in the next generation, this conversation is for you. Sometimes your greatest story isn't that you stayed in the fight. It's who stayed in the fight because you were there. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Perseverance, Faith, Encouragement, Ministry, Youth, Pastor, Volunteers, Students, Parents, Leadership, Gideon, Galatians, Hebrews, Jesus, Christian, Endurance, Prayer, Harvest, Mentoring, Obedience

    Someone Needs You to Stay in the Fight

  3. Aug 26

    What Courageous Faith Actually Looks Like

    Courageous faith sounds great until following God actually costs you something. What does bold faith really look like in everyday life? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards explores courageous Christian faith through Hebrews 11, Daniel's commitment to prayer, Isaiah's willingness to say "send me," and stories of ordinary believers stepping into uncomfortable and difficult situations because of what they believe. You'll hear about: Courageous faith when staying comfortable would be easier Why bold prayer matters Listening for God's direction Obeying when God says go—or stay Sharing Jesus naturally instead of forcing the conversation Living out your faith when you're afraid of what people may think How prayer, obedience, and courage can impact the people around you Whether you're a youth pastor, youth ministry volunteer, student leader, teacher, mentor, parent, or someone who simply wants a stronger relationship with Jesus, this episode is a challenge to move beyond comfortable faith and put what you believe into action. Pray boldly. Listen closely. And when God says go... GO! Subscribe to Youth Worker on Fire for honest conversations, encouragement, and practical wisdom for anyone investing in the next generation. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Courageous, Faith, Prayer, Leadership, Youth, Ministry, Pastor, Volunteers, Students, Parents, Mentoring, Evangelism, Jesus, Christian, Hebrews, Daniel, Isaiah, Gospel, Revival, Obedience

    What Courageous Faith Actually Looks Like

  4. Aug 19

    More Powerful Than Superman: Prayer and Fasting

    Prayer and fasting can be powerful... but what happens when God doesn't answer the way or when we expect? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards speaks about learning to hear God's voice, trusting His timing, and resisting the temptation to force an answer to prayer. Through Scripture, the Daniel Fast, lessons from Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, and stories involving Jerry Falwell and Bill Bright, Doug explores what it means to seek God for who He is - not simply for what we want Him to do. Whether you're leading students, facing an impossible situation, praying for direction, or wondering why God seems silent, this episode is an encouragement to stay humble, patient, focused, and faithful in prayer. Sometimes the greatest answer to prayer isn't simply getting what we asked for. It's becoming closer to the One we're asking. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Prayer, Fasting, Youth, Ministry, Pastor, Leadership, Students, Parents, Christian, Faith, God, Jesus, Discipleship, Guidance, Direction, Revival, Scripture, Worship, Spiritual, Mentoring

    More Powerful Than Superman: Prayer and Fasting

  5. Aug 12

    How to Pray for Revival: Why Your Prayers May Outlive You

    What if a prayer you pray today becomes part of an answer God is still revealing generations from now? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards explores the power of persistent prayer, revival, intercession, and building a legacy of faith that can continue long after our lifetime. Jesus taught His disciples to always pray and never give up. But what might that kind of prayer actually look like in our lives, our churches, our youth ministries, and our families? Drawing from Mark Batterson's Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, Doug reflects on the extraordinary story of believers who committed themselves to around-the-clock prayer and a prayer movement that continued for generations. He also shares the story of Corrie ten Boom and a long-term prayer effort connected to Jerusalem, along with the powerful promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14. These stories lead to an important question: What is God calling you to keep praying for? In this episode, you'll be encouraged to: • Pray consistently instead of giving up • Believe that your prayers can have an impact beyond your lifetime • Pray intentionally for revival in your home, church, community, and nation • Include students and children in a culture of prayer • Model prayer for your children and grandchildren • Help the next generation experience prayer instead of only hearing about it • Trust God even when you cannot yet see the answer • Build prayer habits that can influence generations Doug also challenges youth pastors, volunteers, parents, and grandparents to think bigger than individual prayer requests. What if the students watching you pray today become the adults who lead prayer movements tomorrow? Children understand trust in a powerful way. When they see adults praying, depending on God, and recognizing His answers, they learn that prayer is not simply something Christians talk about—it is part of how we live. Maybe God is calling you to pray differently. Maybe He is calling you to pray more consistently. Or maybe He is simply telling you: Keep praying. Don't underestimate what God can do with a prayer you refuse to stop praying. Find your prayer rhythm. Pray for revival. Bring the next generation with you. And build a prayer legacy that can continue long after your lifetime. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Persistent Prayer, Prayer for Revival, Christian Prayer, Youth Ministry, Youth Pastor Encouragement, Student Ministry, Power of Prayer, How to Pray, Christian Revival, Intercessory Prayer, Prayer and Faith, Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle, 40 Day Prayer Challenge, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Luke 18:1, Corrie ten Boom, Prayer Legacy, Generational Faith, Teaching Children to Pray, Christian Parenting, Next Generation Ministry, Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

    How to Pray for Revival: Why Your Prayers May Outlive You

  6. Aug 5

    Hugh Kirby: A Legacy Of Youth Ministry and Discipleship

    What does it take to remain faithful in youth ministry for more than four decades and still see your influence growing through future generations? In this interview episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards sits down with longtime ministry leader Hugh Kirby for a powerful conversation about youth ministry longevity, relational discipleship, mentorship, prayer, church leadership, and going the distance in ministry. Hugh has served in ministry for more than 42 years, including 17 years directly leading student ministry at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. Today, he can look back and see former students influencing their own children, grandchildren, churches, and communities. But Hugh's ministry story began long before New Hope. He shares how God moved powerfully during his years playing football at Louisiana Tech, where more than 40 players and others connected to the team came to faith in Christ. Hugh reflects on the spiritual influence of his roommate Denny Duron, the leaders who invested in him, and the way God used relationships to shape his calling. Hugh also shares how Dr. Millard Box helped transform his understanding of discipleship as a teenager. Rather than building everything around programs, Dr. Box invited Hugh into a relationship-centered environment built on Scripture, honest conversation, accountability, and prayer. That experience became a model Hugh would carry into decades of youth ministry. In this episode, you'll hear about: • What helped Hugh remain faithful through 42 years of ministry • Why ministry longevity requires dependence on Jesus and support from family • How relational discipleship shaped Hugh as a teenager • Why relationships should come before programs • The importance of Scripture, accountability, and intimate prayer • How Hugh learned to build disciples who would disciple others • What youth pastors can learn from Jesus' progressive disciple-building model • How long-term ministry influences students, families, and generations • Why churches must keep Jesus—not programs—as the main thing • How mentors and mature believers shape a young person's future Hugh explains that effective discipleship is not simply giving students more information. It means entering their lives, building relationships, helping them understand Scripture, creating loving accountability, and teaching them how to walk personally with Jesus. This conversation is especially valuable for youth pastors, student ministry volunteers, Christian educators, parents, grandparents, mentors, and anyone who wants to invest in the next generation for the long term. Programs eventually end. Positions eventually change. But a life poured intentionally into another person can continue bearing fruit for generations. Listen and be encouraged to build relationships, make disciples, remain faithful, and go the distance in the ministry God has given you. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Hugh Kirby, Youth Ministry, Youth Pastor, Student Ministry, Youth Ministry Leadership, Relational Discipleship, Ministry Longevity, Going the Distance in Ministry, Christian Leadership, Youth Pastor Encouragement, Disciple Making, Mentoring Students, Next Generation Discipleship, Sustainable Ministry, New Hope Baptist Church, Christian Mentorship, Prayer and Discipleship, Ministry Family, Youth Worker On Fire Podcast, Generational Faith

    Hugh Kirby: A Legacy Of Youth Ministry and Discipleship

  7. Jul 29

    Student Mission Trips That Change Generations: The Guatemala Legacy of Dr. Wes Collins

    What can one missionary's faithfulness set in motion across languages, students, families, and generations? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards remembers his friend Dr. Wes Collins and reflects on the extraordinary legacy Wes and his wife, Nancy, built through missions, Bible translation, education, and service among the Mam people of Guatemala. As a missionary connected with Wycliffe, Wes helped restore a written form of the Mam language and worked to translate the New Testament so that indigenous families could read Scripture in their own language. His ministry helped people reclaim a sense of dignity, identity, and the assurance that God loved them and valued the language He had given them. Wes also opened the door for Doug and generations of students to experience cross-cultural ministry firsthand. Over five years and six trips to Guatemala, students participated in construction projects, Vacation Bible School, medical outreach, and ministry among Mam families in the mountains. They also visited the Guatemala City dump, where thousands of people lived in extreme poverty—an experience that profoundly changed how many students understood faith, service, gratitude, and the world around them. In this episode, Doug reflects on: • The missionary legacy of Dr. Wes Collins • Bible translation and the importance of indigenous languages • How student mission trips can permanently change young lives • Serving the Mam people of Guatemala • Construction, children's ministry, and medical missions • What students learned from witnessing extreme poverty • The importance of trusted missionaries and responsible trip leadership • How one faithful life can influence people for generations This episode is for youth pastors, student ministry volunteers, parents, missionaries, teachers, and anyone who believes young people should experience a faith that moves beyond words and into service. Wes Collins' influence did not end with one translation, one class, one mission trip, or even one lifetime. It continues through the people he taught, the communities he served, the students he inspired, and the leaders who are still carrying that mission forward. Thank you, Wes and Nancy, for your faithfulness, sacrifice, hospitality, and commitment to helping others know that their language, culture, lives, and stories matter to God. Share this episode with a youth pastor, missionary, parent, or student who needs to be reminded that one faithful life can change generations. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Student Mission Trips, Youth Ministry Missions, Guatemala Mission Trip, Dr Wes Collins, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Bible Translation, Mam People Guatemala, Christian Missions, Youth Ministry, Student Ministry, Youth Pastor Encouragement, Missionary Legacy, Cross Cultural Ministry, Youth Mission Trips, Vacation Bible School, Medical Missions, Guatemala City Dump, Indigenous Language Translation, Next Generation Ministry, Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

    Student Mission Trips That Change Generations: The Guatemala Legacy of Dr. Wes Collins

  8. Jul 22

    3 People Every Youth Ministry Leader Needs: Mentors, Investors, and Operators

    No youth pastor, volunteer, ministry leader, business owner, or parent accomplishes meaningful work alone. In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards shares the three types of people every effective youth ministry leader needs: mentors, investors, and operators. Mentors provide wisdom from experience. Investors believe in the mission and contribute the resources required to move it forward. Operators handle the responsibilities, systems, communication, planning, and administration that allow leaders to focus on the work God has uniquely called them to do. Drawing from decades in student ministry, Doug shares how mentors from Youth for Christ helped prepare him to lead, how supporters including Johnny Cash and local ministry partners invested in reaching students, and how gifted staff members and volunteers made a large, multi-level student ministry possible. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why every youth pastor and ministry leader needs multiple mentors • How financial supporters and ministry investors expand the reach of the gospel • Why volunteers and operators are essential to sustainable student ministry • How delegation allows people to serve in their areas of strength • Why being unqualified on paper does not disqualify you from God's calling • How God brings the right people together to accomplish a greater mission • Why one mentor should not influence every area of your life • How to recognize which role may be missing from your ministry team Doug also explains why leaders should stop trying to perform every task themselves. The strongest ministries are not built around one person doing everything. They are built by people with different gifts working together toward the same mission. You may be the visionary, communicator, pastor, teacher, or relationship builder - but someone else may be better equipped to organize the calendar, manage communication, raise support, plan trips, or operate the systems behind the ministry. Ask yourself: Who is mentoring me? Who is investing in the mission? Who is helping operate the ministry? You do not need one person to fill every role. You need a community of gifted people who believe in what God has called you to build. Share this episode with a youth pastor, volunteer, ministry leader, or parent who needs help building the right team. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Stay connected: Email: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Rate ★★★★★ & share with youth workers who dream big for the Kingdom. Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House PODCAST EPISODE TOPICS: Youth Ministry, Youth Pastor, Youth Ministry Leadership, Ministry Team Building, Christian Leadership, Mentorship, Ministry Mentors, Ministry Investors, Ministry Operators, Youth Ministry Volunteers, Student Ministry, Ministry Delegation, Building a Ministry Team, Sustainable Ministry, Ministry Support, Church Volunteers, Youth Pastor Encouragement, Youth for Christ, Johnny Cash Youth for Christ, Next Generation Ministry, Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

    3 People Every Youth Ministry Leader Needs: Mentors, Investors, and Operators
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Today's youth need youth pastors, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and most of all, they need YOU! Youth Worker On Fire is designed to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to be the best youth worker possible. Youth Worker On Fire podcast is full of valuable information from people who work with youth on a daily basis. It is also packed with interviews with former students (years later) in their adult life and how student ministry, or the lack of it, effected their future. Many are are changing their world and the world at large because of the influence of youth workers in their adolescent years. Listen as they share their stories of mentoring and positively influencing adolescents in today's world.

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