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. 7H AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. APR 14

    The Mission of the Church by Jim Davis

    In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Jim Davis walks through Acts 1:6–11, highlighting the Church’s clear and compelling mission. Drawing key observations from the text, he equips and encourages leaders to depend on the Spirit and faithfully join God in the work he is doing in the lives of students. Jim Davis is the Teaching Pastor at Orlando Grace Church (Acts 29) and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He holds an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary and is the co-host of the As in Heaven podcast. Jim is also the co-author, with Michael Graham, of The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? He and his wife, Angela, speak for FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and are parents to four children. As In Heaven Podcast by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson  The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis and Michael Graham Rooted Resources:Teenagers Need the Church (Series) The Sunday Standoff: Discipling Teenagers Who Are Resisting Church by Katie Polski @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.

    41 min

  7. APR 7

    On Productivity in Youth Ministry

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Becca, Isaiah, and Danny talk candidly about productivity as a key component of gospel-centered youth ministry. Productivity is not about chasing results or proving worth, but faithful stewardship of the limited time we’ve been given. The hosts highlight common obstacles like constant crises, unclear expectations, misalignment with broader church vision, and fluctuating motivation. Then they share tips, tricks, and resources that have helped them in their youth ministry roles.  The Busy Youth Minister by Josh Cousineau Redeeming the Time: Managing the Nebulous Work of Youth Ministry by Connor Coskery Youth Ministry Management by Mike Work and Ginny Olson The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni Getting Things Done by David Allen Register for the 2026 Rooted Conference 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.

    37 min

  8. MAR 31

    Teaching Biblical Sexuality to Teens by Jennifer Kvamme

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme outlines six essential foundational truths that youth leaders must teach to prepare students to think biblically about sexuality. With clarity and conviction, this session equips leaders to ground teens in God’s design while engaging today’s cultural challenges with grace and wisdom. 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. Rooted Resources: More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme A Bad Trade: Helping Teenagers See Sexual Sin Clearly by Jennifer Kvamme Parents, Let’s Reframe the Sexuality Conversation by Jennifer Kvamme @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.

    34 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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