Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

Rooted Ministry
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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. 4D AGO

    Holiness Without the Guilt Trip- Teaching Teens to Appreciate Faithfulness

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah Marshall, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Becca Heck wrestle with how to teach holiness without drifting into guilt, shame, or moralism. Grounded in Scripture, the conversation reframes holiness not as behavior modification, but as a joyful, relational response to the gospel. The hosts explore how youth ministries can unintentionally slip into legalism, how to speak about sin without leaving students feeling hopeless, and how relational discipleship creates space for grace, confession, and growth. With honesty, humor, and pastoral wisdom, this episode offers youth leaders practical ways to model holiness anchored in Christ’s finished work, not performance.   Scripture & Themes Referenced Leviticus 11:44 – “Be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16 – Holiness as a call rooted in God’s character Isaiah 6 – God’s holiness and moral perfection Matthew 5–7 (Sermon on the Mount) – Holiness of heart, not just behavior 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Responding differently to the idle, weak, and discouraged Relational Discipleship – Walking with students over time, not managing behavior Gospel-Centered Holiness – Living from acceptance, not for acceptance Biggie Size Your Grace in the Pursuit of Holiness by Andy Cornett Discipling Teenagers in the Meaning of the Law by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
 Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Watch the episode on Youtube! Register for Rooted 2026 in Nashville. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    35 min

  2. FEB 10

    Answering Tough Questions By Jennifer Kvamme

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme equips youth leaders to respond wisely and faithfully to the difficult questions students often ask. She addresses three common questions and presents a four-principle framework for navigating challenging conversations with grace and clarity. Jennifer has served in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years. She’s the author of More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships. She and her husband, Greg, have three children. Resources: More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme When Your Teenager Has Doubts and Questions by Kyle Bjerga Encouragement for Parents: When Kids Ask Tough Questions  by Steve Eatmon Answering Our Teenagers’ Hard Questions About Culture by Rooted Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    39 min

  3. FEB 3

    Unsung Heroes: Faithful Witnesses For the Kingdom

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, Isaiah, and Becca dive into the often-overlooked legacy of Black Christians in church history. As Black History Month invites the church to celebrate diversity in God’s kingdom, the hosts explore why many faithful Black voices remain hidden from mainstream narratives—and what youth pastors can do about it. From early church fathers in North Africa to the American civil rights era, this conversation challenges us to broaden our understanding of church history and elevate voices that have long been sidelined. Listeners will walk away encouraged to disciple their students with a deeper awareness of the global, multicultural body of Christ—and equipped with practical ideas for building more inclusive youth ministries.    Resources and Mentions Talking to Your White Kids About Black History Month - Rooted Ministry Relational Discipleship in the Black Church - Rooted Ministry   Richard Allen – Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Lemuel Haynes – First ordained African American minister in the U.S. Howard Thurman – Theologian and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. Fannie Lou Hamer – Voting rights activist and devout Christian James Cone – Father of Black Liberation Theology; The Cross and the Lynching Tree The Edmondson Center (at RTS Atlanta) – Recommended by Becca for their year-long certificate program on church history and theology (directed by Karen & Carl Ellis) Bus Ride to Justice – Isaiah’s experiential trip with students to key civil rights locations (Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, Tuskegee) Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    40 min

  4. JAN 27

    Developing Expository Messages for Youth By Mike McGarry

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry helps us deliver expository messages for you. What does it mean to teach the Bible expositionally to students? In this episode, Mike defines expository teaching and why it matters. You'll learn how to align your message with the main idea of the biblical text and walk away with four essential questions to guide your prep.    Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.   Rooted Resources: Youth Pastor Theologian Rethinking Expository Bible Teaching (Confessions of a Struggling Youth Minister) by John Gardner Why Youth Pastors Should Teach Expository Bible Messages by Syler Thomas Parents, Value Expository Teaching at Youth Group by Jennifer Kvamme Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    58 min

  5. JAN 20

    Watch Out-Keeping Our Eyes Open for the Pitfalls that Come with Youth Ministry

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, Isaiah, and Becca reflect on the “landmines” of youth ministry through the lens of 1 Peter 5:8: being sober-minded and watchful because the devil prowls like a roaring lion. They discuss dangers such as the “savior complex,” prideful isolation, us-versus-them attitudes toward church leadership and parents, unhealthy comparison with other ministries, and the temptation to measure success by numbers instead of faithfulness. There is also a danger of neglecting our own souls—becoming “professional Christians” whose Bible reading is only for teaching prep, not personal communion with God. We will discuss both those “landmines” as well as how they can be avoided. Resources: Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp  Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    32 min

  6. JAN 13

    Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Tara Davis and Cameron Cole emphasize the central focus of every gospel-centered children’s ministry: the Bible. They present three key approaches to help grow children’s biblical literacy and offer practical guidance for implementing each one in your ministry context. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this session equips you to faithfully ground your ministry in God’s Word.  About the Speakers: Tara Davis serves as the Director of Nursery and Children’s Ministry at Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. A former elementary school teacher, she taught for ten years across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Tara was named Teacher of the Year at Crestline Elementary and received the Ann Pritchard Award for Excellence in Teaching—an honor given to the top educator in the Mountain Brook School System. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Tara is married to Kyle, and they have a son and daughter. Cameron Cole is the Founding Chairman of Rooted Ministry and serves as the Director of Adult and NextGen Discipleship at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, Alabama. With nearly two decades of experience in youth and family ministry, Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope, Heavenward (2024), and co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. He holds both an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest University, as well as an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron and his wife, Lauren, have four children—one of whom lives in heaven. Rooted Resources: Family Discipleship Video Courses Resources for Family Ministry (Rooted Roundup) Rooted’s Scope & Sequence for Youth Ministry Bible Teaching How to Lead Collaboration Between Youth and Children’s Ministry by Andy Cornett Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    46 min

  7. JAN 6

    Preparing Students for Life Beyond Youth Ministry

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Isaiah, Danny, and new co-host Becca focus on a crucial season in student discipleship: senior year. They unpack why senior year is such a unique window for ministry. The hosts discuss helping seniors see the church as more than youth group, preparing them to find a gospel-centered church in college, and giving them categories for God’s will, vocation, and faithful involvement in the local church. While there are a lot of potential pitfalls in post-highschool life, there are a lot of great opportunities for students to grow in their faith, and thrive in their walk with Christ in their new season.   Making Youth Group ‘Senior Night’ More Than Once Each Year - Rooted Ministry The Summer Before College: A Graduating Senior Gameplan - Rooted Ministry   Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    37 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    No Such Thing As a SuperMom with Alice Churnock and Hannah Dow

    In this final episode of our season Can't Do It All, Anna welcomes back Rooted podcaster Alice Churnock and introduces our brand-new executive director Hannah Dow. We invited them to talk about the (potential) overwhelm of being a mother. Both of these moms juggle full-time jobs while running their households, caring for elderly parents, serving at church, and attempting to maintain friendships and good health. Additionally, Hannah is a single mother. You'll want to hear how they find rest in the gospel, but you'll also glean some practical tips. Be encouraged by their wholehearted pursuit of Jesus in the midst of their busy lives. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    56 min
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About

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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