Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

Rooted Ministry
  • 4.7 (43)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 2d ago

    Deepening Unity in the Church by Liz Edrington

    In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Liz Edrington walks through Acts 10:10–20, 27–28, and 34–36 to show how God works to deepen unity among His people. She highlights how we often prefer what is familiar, while Christ is leading us toward His Kingdom. Through this passage, Liz reveals a pattern of how God deepens our relationship with Him in order to unify us with others, calling the Church to embrace His redemptive vision. 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. Unity and the Gospel: Two Safeguards to Teach Our Students by Taylor Mendoza Mediating in a Divided World and a Divided Home by Clark Fobes Luke & Acts: A ROOTED YEARLONG CURRICULUM  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.

    33 min

  2. Jun 2

    On Encouraging Summer Reading

    In this episode of YMU, Danny, Isaiah, Josh, and Rebecca discuss how various books and authors have deepened their faith, as well as books they most recommend to youth ministers and students. With schools out for the summer, having extra resources such as reading suggestions for students, is a great way to continue to minister to your students and leaders even if many of them are traveling for the summer months. Best New Books For Youth Ministers: Rooted's 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry Best New Books for Teenagers: Rooted 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry Preparing for College - Rooted Ministry 10ofThose.com - Great resource to buy books in bulk orders Foundational Books for Leaders Josh Hussung: The Pursuit of Holiness (Jerry Bridges): Provided categories for understanding the battle against sin; now a required read for his interns. The Dangerous Duty of Delight (John Piper): A foundational text on finding joy in God as a means of glorifying Him. Isaiah Marshall: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Inspiring story of faith and justice despite immense suffering. Danny Kwon: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Shifted perspective from the younger son to the older, legalistic son, helping him minister to those in a fundamentalist church context. Becca Heck: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Pivotal read that introduced the full gospel of grace, countering a fundamentalist upbringing. Hinds' Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard): An allegorical journey of following the Good Shepherd through life's challenges. Recommended Books for Students Gifting Strategy: Becca Heck gifts graduating seniors a book with a personal note and a 5-year ""keep"" rule. Rationale: Accounts for students' spiritual growth during college, ensuring the book is available when they are ready for it. Josh Hussung: Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis): Strong apologetics for Christian students. The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis): Insightful allegory on spiritual warfare. Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper): A common graduation gift from his church, often appreciated more after college. Danny Kwon: Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Easy-to-read, thin, and non-intimidating for senior high students. Isaiah Marshall: The Wounded Healer (Henri Nouwen): Helps students embrace vulnerability and pain as a path to effective ministry. Ecclesiastes: Puts life's pursuits in perspective, revealing their meaninglessness apart from God. Becca Heck: Ragamuffin Gospel (Brennan Manning): Opened up a world of grace, especially for students from sheltered backgrounds. Prayer in the Night (Tish Harrison Warren): A solid resource for processing grief, relevant for students facing major life transitions. Life of the Beloved (Henri Nouwen): A small book on understanding one's identity as a beloved child of God. The Art of Self-Forgetfulness (Tim Keller): A classic on humility. 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.

    34 min

  3. May 26

    The Role of Suffering in the Life of the Church by Syler Thomas

    In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Syler Thomas walks through Acts 9:15–16 to explore the role of suffering in the life of the Church. Centered on the call of Paul, Syler highlights three key truths: - At the core of our faith is a suffering Savior. - If God’s chosen instrument was called to suffer, we too should be prepared. - How the Church responds to suffering sets her apart from the world. This message challenges and encourages leaders to embrace suffering as part of God’s redemptive work in and through His people. Syler Thomas is a native Texan who has been the student ministries pastor at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, since 1998. He writes a column for YouthWorker Journal, has had articles published in Leadership Journal and the Chicago Tribune, and is the co-author of two books. Syler and his wife, Heidi, have four kids. Youth Ministry Curriculum, Articles, Resources & Books: Suffering Rooted Ministry Resources on Suffering Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. 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.

    35 min

  4. May 19

    On Rooming Assignments for Retreats and Mission Trips

    In this episode of YMU, Rebecca, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the very practical topic of rooming assignments for retreats and mission trips, as the summer youth ministry retreat and mission trip season approaches. They discuss various perspectives of how to handle rooming assignments with teenagers, as well as how to handle when students are not happy about who they are rooming with at a retreat or mission trip. They also discuss how they go about making room assignments, how they assign adult volunteers to rooms, and how to handle discipline issues with students in rooming situations at overnight activities.  Register to join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 1:00 CT for our next Rooted Webinar: Preparing for Summer Camp and Youth Service Trips Practical Advice for Planning Your Next Youth Retreat by Josh Hussung Planning Effective Youth Mission Trips by Ben Birdsong Summer Camp Parent Packet Sample by Josh Hussung Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts. Registration is open for the 2026 Rooted 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.

    41 min

  5. May 12

    The Rhythms of the Church by Joel Kim

    In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Joel Kim walks through Acts 2:42–47, revealing how Christ builds his Church. He highlights three key themes from the passage: extraordinary growth, ordinary means, and the unstoppable work of God. Joel Kim serves as President of Westminster Seminary California, where he has taught New Testament since 2005. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, he has pastored churches in Michigan and Southern California and has also taught internationally in Taiwan and Indonesia. Born in South Korea and raised in Southern California, Joel is fluent in both Korean and English and has served the global church through various leadership roles. He completed his doctoral studies in historical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary under Richard A. Muller and has contributed to several publications, including Always Reformed. Joel and his wife, Sharon, have two children and reside in Escondido, California. Rooted Resources: Luke & Acts Rooted Curriculum Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming Referenced:  'I'm An Evangelical, But I Rarely Go to Church' by Ryan Burge 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.

    35 min

  6. May 5

    Science and God: Do You Have to Choose? with Katy Morgan

    Katy Morgan is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company and the award-winning author of The Songs of a Warrior and The Promise and the Light. She loves helping children and young people grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, and volunteers in the youth work at her church, King’s Church Chessington in Surrey, UK. She holds a master's degree in classical Greek literature from Cambridge University.   Resources Mentioned - Science and God: Do You Have to Choose? by Katy Morgan and John Lennox Guiding Principles for Talking With Teenagers About Science and Faith by Chelsea Erickson Rooted Resources - Christianity and Science: Friends or Foes? Answering Your Teenager’s Questions About Faith by Matt Brown Showing Teenagers How Science Points to God As Creator by Steve Jamison Four Things Teenagers Need to Know About Science and God 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.

    26 min

  7. Apr 28

    The Holy Spirit Empowered by Cameron Cole

    In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Cameron Cole walks through Acts 2:1–24, highlighting three essential ingredients of lasting change revealed at Pentecost: the Holy Spirit in us, the Word of God within the story of God, and the gospel proclaimed in personal terms. His central message is both humbling and hopeful: people can’t change themselves—but God can change people. This session calls leaders to depend not on strategies, but on the Spirit’s power to transform hearts. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry, and Director of Adult and Nextgen Discipleship at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL. In addition to serving the local church for nearly twenty years in youth and family ministry, he is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy (Crossway, 2018), which won World Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year (Accessible Theology) and was runner up for The Gospel Coalition’s Book of the Year (First-Time Author). He is also the co-editor of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press) and the author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth (Crossway, 2024). Cameron holds an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest, as well as an M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven. Rooted Resources: Youth Ministry in the Power of the Spirit by Seth Stewart Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming 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.

    53 min

  8. Apr 21

    On Fun and Games

    There is so much more to youth ministry than pizza parties and “Chubby Bunny.” But is there a place for fun and games in youth ministry? Danny, Josh, Becca, and Isaiah discuss the role that games can play in youth ministry, namely, to create and build community. They can also pave an important path relationally for gospel-centered conversations.  Mike McGarry on Theology of Fun and Games Tips for Gospel-Centered Games in Youth Ministry by Chelsea Kingston Erickson When God Shows Up: A History of Youth Ministry by Mark Senter Subscribe and follow Rooted’s youth ministry podcasts: Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable and Youth Ministry Unscripted 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.

    29 min
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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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