Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

Rooted Ministry
  • 4.7 (43)
  • Christianity
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Rooted Youth Ministry aims to advance gospel centered youth ministry by equipping and empowering youth ministers and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Youth Ministry Unscripted is a real, honest, and raw part of the Rooted Family of Podcasts which also includes The Rooted Parent Podcast, The Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Ask Alice, and Thanos to Theos. For more grace filled, gospel-centered, Bible saturated resources be sure to visit www.rootedministry.com.

  1. 5d ago

    With Them: Relational Discipleship in the Way of Jesus with Brian Dye

    Relational discipleship is more than a strategy—it’s the way of Jesus. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to move beyond programs and curriculum into the slow, sacred work of walking with students and families over time. Whether you’re burned out, discouraged, or just hungry to see lasting fruit, we’ll look at how relational discipleship offers hope not just for the teens we serve, but for us, too. This session will draw from Scripture, real-life stories, and practical frameworks to help youth ministers, volunteers, and parents build rhythms of presence, trust, and gospel-rooted transformation. Brian serves a national movement of disciple-making and church planting in urban centers across America. He is the Executive Director of Legacy Disciple, an organization devoted to cultivating a culture of gospel-centered leadership that transforms communities from the inside out. He also leads as the Director of Leadership Development with The Chicago Partnership, a network of churches working together to make Jesus visible in every neighborhood of the city. Additionally, Brian serves as the Area Director for CarePortal, building bridges between churches and the needs of vulnerable children and families. Beyond these roles, Brian advises organizations like the AND Campaign and Together Chicago, offering strategic support in areas of justice, unity, and community renewal. At the heart of his ministry, however, is a deep commitment to relational discipleship. Brian and his wife Heidi, his best friend and ministry partner since 2000, live in West Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side. Though they have no biological children, they have welcomed over 200 young adults into their home, walking with them in the everyday joys and struggles of life and faith. What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? - Rooted Ministry Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry The Power of Imperfect Relational Discipleship - Rooted Ministry  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  2. Sep 22

    Back To and Into the Future of Youth Ministry with Kara Powell

    In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the future 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Professor of Youth and Family at Fuller Theological Seminary. They discuss Dr. Powell’s assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including Fuller Youth Institute’s new research on Generation Alpha.  Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, the Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, and serves as a faculty member at Fuller Seminary. Prior to that, Kara was an Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at Azusa Pacific University. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with Honors from Stanford University in 1991. Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years  Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry?  The FYI on Gen Alpha: New Research and… | Fuller Youth Institute  Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  3. Sep 15

    Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry with Liz Edrington

    We all desire the church to be a safe place, where people with trauma know what it is to love and be loved (Matt. 22). In this workshop, we will explore the need for our youth ministries to become trauma-informed so that we may disciple students holistically and prevent further harm. We will discuss what trauma is, how the hope we have in Jesus speaks directly to any past, and when to seek a counseling referral. Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she’s taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she’s the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog. Resources:  Matthew 22 Helping Teenagers Process Graphic Violence: An Interview with Counselors Rahab Marshall and Gordon Bals - Rooted Ministry  On Handling Crisis in Your Youth Ministry - Podcasts Creating a Child Protection Policy for Your Church - Rooted Ministry  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  4. Sep 8

    KidzMatter on Youth and Children's Ministry Partnerships

    In this episode of YMU, Danny is joined with Hannah Augustine, the program director at KidzMatter Ministry. They discuss how Youth and KidMin leaders have a unique opportunity to disciple the teens who are serving in both their ministries. By partnering together, leaders can leverage their collective influence on the teenagers in their ministries. Resources: Kids Discipling Kids: The Integration of Youth and Children’s Ministries  Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole  Children's Ministry Resources  Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Join us at the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  5. Aug 25

    Three Ways to Tell a Bible Story with Jared Kennedy

    The differences between an adult Sunday school class and one for kids are quite striking. A class for toddlers and preschoolers is rarely organized around the logic of a Bible passage, or even a lesson outline. Instead, lessons are structured by the classroom schedule and environment—by a basic routine and activity centers that are designed for play, music, the Bible story, and other games or crafts. How do we prepare children’s lessons that are Christ-centered, biblically faithful, engaging for kids, and oriented towards the distinct ways that kids learn? This workshop will help you learn how to do just that. Jared Kennedy serves as an editor for The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder of Gospel-Centered Family and the author of books for children and families like Faith-Builder Catechism (New Growth Press, 2023), Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission (Crossway, 2022), and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (New Growth, 2017). He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky, where they attend Sojourn Church Midtown. Announcing Rooted Children’s Ministry Curriculum: Why and How to Use 'Gospel Basics' Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  6. Aug 18

    ‘God with You’: A Devotional Journey Through the Bible with Students

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah and Danny are joined by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson, two of the editors of the new, 52-Week devotional titled “God With You.” They discuss why and how this year-long devotional was written, what the hopes are for the devotional, how churches, youth ministries, and even parents might use this devotional, and the overall importance of theological depth in youth ministry and for teenagers.    Leading Students to Live by Faith Alone - Rooted Ministry Your Family Devotional Doesn't Have to be Pretty - Rooted Ministry Engage Teens with the Whole Bible by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson for The Gospel Coalition Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, October 22-24. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  7. Aug 11

    Cultural Apologetics for Teenagers Today with Skyler Flowers

    Cultural waves are constantly changing — now more rapidly than ever. The messages teenagers hear and absorb from every screen and relationship in their lives shapes them at a fundamental level. They learn what to laugh at, who and how to love, and what’s worth weeping over and celebrating from messages both subtle and overt. Ministering in this context requires youth ministers and parents to carefully critique and connect these messages to their fulfillment in Jesus—in other words, we need to do cultural apologetics. In this workshop, we will explore the need for cultural apologetics and how it can be practiced in big and small ways in your ministry today. Skyler Reed Flowers (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is the program director for The Carson Center for Theological Renewal and cohort director for all TGC cohorts. He serves as an elder at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi and is working toward his Ph.D. in systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen. He served as an editor for The Gospel After Christendom. He is married to Brianna, and they have three kids. Cultural Narratives and Youth Ministry by Kendal Conner Three Truths for Parents and Children in a Changing Cultural Climate by Joey Turner Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock Acts 17:22-31 Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  8. Aug 4

    Protecting Your Soul During Ministry Planning Season

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, and Isaiah discuss the unique pressures youth workers face during ministry planning season. From comparing your ministry to others to feeling the constant need to do more, they explore how leaders can build healthy, sustainable ministry rhythms that prioritize faithfulness over busyness. Together, they offer practical encouragement for protecting your soul while preparing for a new ministry year. Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout I’m Tired! A Look At The Spiritual Discipline Of Biblical Rest Essential Practices of Good Youth Ministry Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Rooted Youth Ministry aims to advance gospel centered youth ministry by equipping and empowering youth ministers and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Youth Ministry Unscripted is a real, honest, and raw part of the Rooted Family of Podcasts which also includes The Rooted Parent Podcast, The Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Ask Alice, and Thanos to Theos. For more grace filled, gospel-centered, Bible saturated resources be sure to visit www.rootedministry.com.

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