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. 1D AGO

    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 Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    34 min

  2. MAR 24

    Why Are You Cast Down? Hope in God by Harold Kim

    In this reflective workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Harold Kim walks through Psalm 42, offering encouragement and hope for those in seasons of spiritual dryness or discouragement. The session follows three movements: The Condition – what it means to be spiritually cast down The Causes – what might lead us there The Cure – how Scripture points us to hope in God This session is a heartfelt invitation to find rest, renewal, and confidence in the God who sees and sustains. Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. He graduated from UC Berkeley, received his master of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America in 2001. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His great joy and passion is to see lives changed as Jesus Christ becomes central to everything. When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall Psalm 42: A Psalm for Sad Seasons by Kendal Conner Student Series: Panting in the Desert: Seeking God When He Feels Like A Fake, A Figment, or Far Away by Annie Talton Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer  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

    42 min

  3. MAR 17

    Connecting with Teenagers

    In this episode of YMU, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny consider Rooted’s pillar of relational discipleship and how it inspires us to connect with teenagers in our churches. The hosts share insight about when the youth minister needs to connect with students personally and how to engage ministry volunteers in this important work. They offer some effective ways to connect with teenagers relationally. “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8). Rooted Webinar: Creating a Culture of Gospel Welcome in Youth Ministry What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? Watch Rooted’s Past Training Videos and Webinars   Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    32 min

  4. MAR 10

    Creating a Culture of Rest in Ministry by Jonathan Holmes

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jonathan Holmes unpacks what it means to pursue true rest in ministry. Framed around four key movements—the problem with rest, the answer to rest, how to rest personally, and how to build cultures of rest—this session offers practical and theological insight for leaders who want to lead from a place of peace rather than burnout. Jonathan Holmes is the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. He previously served for fifteen years on the pastoral teams of Parkside Church and Parkside Green. Jonathan graduated from The Master’s University with degrees in Biblical Counseling and History and his MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author and contributor to a number of books including, The Company We Keep, Counsel for Couples, Rescue Skills, and Rescue Plan. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters. When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall Caring for Your Soul as a Youth Minister by Mark Upton Burnout: The Cost of Caring by Christina Maslach Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville 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

    45 min

  5. MAR 3

    Working with Ministry Volunteers

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny discuss the topic of recruiting and serving with volunteer youth leaders. They cover what makes a good youth leader, mistakes they have made with ministry volunteers, and advice they would give to fellow youth ministers in leading volunteer teams. If you’re looking for help and support to care for the lay leaders on your team, this conversation is for you! Practically Speaking, How to Train Your Volunteers by Seth Stewart Youth Minister, You Need to Empower Lay Leaders by Justin Talbert Ask Rooted: How Do You Train and Empower Lay Leaders in Your Youth Ministry? Part I and Part II Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

    34 min

  6. FEB 24

    Apologetics in Youth Ministry by Bradley Blaylock

    In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Bradley Blaylock explores the role of apologetics in youth ministry—not just as content, but as a teaching posture. He outlines approaches to help leaders raise apologetic issues naturally, equipping students to think biblically about their faith. Bradley serves as a Professor of Theological Studies at Highlands College in Birmingham, AL. He and his wife live in Birmingham with their adorable children. Bradley is a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary studying the Philosophy of Religion. Two Simple Shifts for Teaching Apologetics in Youth Ministry by Bradley Blaylock Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock 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

    40 min

  7. FEB 17

    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

  8. 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
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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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