youngadults.today

youngadultstoday
  • 4.9 (70)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Co-hosts Josiah Kennealy and Micah Kennealy interview Generational Researchers like David Kinnaman and Dr. George Barna, Theologians like Dr. Allen Tennison and Joel Muddamale, Pastors like Dallas Viva, Nate Ruch, and Rob Ketterling, Thought Leaders like Rachel Cruze, Susie Larson and experts on reaching young adults in our world, today!

  1. Shepherd-Hearted Leadership: Reaching Into the Future of Young Adults with Dr. Nate Ruch

    3d ago

    Shepherd-Hearted Leadership: Reaching Into the Future of Young Adults with Dr. Nate Ruch

    In this special podcast mashup between youngadults.today and the Shepherd Hearted Leadership podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Nate Ruch of Emmanuel Christian Center to talk about future-ready leadership, legacy, and young adult ministry. Pastor Nate shares why young adult ministry is a “well” that shapes the rest of a person’s life, how to lead without burning out, and what it really means to reach into someone’s future as a shepherd-hearted leader. You’ll hear powerful stories about legacy, succession, politics in the pulpit, and the moment Nate’s schedule literally put him in the hospital—and how God used that to teach him about limits, Sabbath, and identity. If you’re a young adult pastor, next-gen leader, or ministry pioneer, this episode will strengthen your resolve to play until the whistle blows, build leaders (not just services), and leave a legacy in people, not just for people. About Emmanuel Christian Center: https://www.emmanuelcc.org Purchase copies of "Reaching Into Their Future" by Dr. Nate Ruch: https://amzn.to/4uHjefP More about us: www.youngadults.today Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133 Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/

    1 hr
  2. From Christian Rock Star to Rock Bottom: Jason Dunn of Hawk Nelson's Comeback Story

    May 26

    From Christian Rock Star to Rock Bottom: Jason Dunn of Hawk Nelson's Comeback Story

    From Hawk Nelson to Rock Bottom & Back: Jason Dunn on Prodigals, Deconstruction, and Starting Over Former Hawk Nelson frontman Jason Dunn joins Josiah and Micah Kennealy to share his powerful prodigal story—from Christian rock fame, burnout, and blowing all his money in New York… to moving back in with his parents at 30, meeting his wife Neve, and rediscovering Jesus. Jason opens up about deconstruction, doubt, and calling, and why he believes young adult years are so critical. He also shares the heart behind his new solo album “Formerly Known As” and his passion to make music that reaches everybody, not just Christians. Order Jason Dunn's New Music and See Tour Dates: https://jasondunn.bandcamp.com/album/formerly-known-as Follow Jason Dunn Music on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.dunn.music/ More about us: www.youngadults.today Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the FREE June 2026 DIGITAL CONFERENCE: www.youngadults.today/digital-conference Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133 Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/

    54 min

  3. May 18

    Young Adults Are Hungry for God (Backyard Nights Story) with Josh Wagoner and Blake Deprato

    Backyard Nights: How a Once-a-Month Gathering Is Reaching Young Adults in Oklahoma In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Josh and Blake, the leaders of Backyard Nights—a once-a-month worship gathering for young adults in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. They unpack why young adult ministry is so vital in 2026, how Backyard Nights started as a side project and grew into a city-wide movement, and what they’re learning about community, accountability, and empowering volunteers to use their “5–9” to build God’s kingdom. www.youngadults.today

    59 min

  4. May 11

    How to Disciple Gen Z & Young Adults in a Digital Age (with Dr. Darnell Williams)

    From Status Quo to Curated Experiences: Forming Gritty Young Leaders with North Central University President Darnell Williams In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with President Darnell Williams of North Central University to talk about why the status quo isn’t working in higher education or the church, and what it means to move from being a repository of knowledge to a curator of experiences. They dive into Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the drop-off after youth group and college, digital discipleship, grit, holiness, and how young leaders can finish well. Guest: Dr. Darnell Williams, President, North Central University Hosts: Josiah & Micah Kennealy Theme: Young adult ministry, higher education, experiential formation, and leadership that lasts. More about NCU: www.northcentral.edu Join us for the YA wknd: www.youngadults.today/the-wknd www.youngadults.today

    1h 1m

  5. May 4

    Young Adults Aren’t a Silo: Integrating Next Gen in a Multi-Site Church with Derek Wile

    In this episode of the Young Adults Today Podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Derek Wile, Next Gen Associate Pastor at Faith Church in South Carolina. Derek shares his journey from Minnesota to South Carolina, how God led him into young adult ministry, and how his church is reaching young adults across nine locations with a sustainable, scalable model. You’ll hear the story behind Together Nights and Table Nights, how Derek is building a lead team of young adult leaders, and why he believes young adults are a “forgotten group” that the church must intentionally pursue. The conversation gets incredibly practical for multi-site churches, church planters, and anyone trying to move from “launch and relaunch” to something that’s actually sustainable. www.youngadults.today Add survey here:

    41 min
  6. How One Church Reaches 700 Young Adults Every Week with Brennen Schmitt

    Apr 27

    How One Church Reaches 700 Young Adults Every Week with Brennen Schmitt

    In this episode of the Young Adults Today podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down with Brennan Schmidt, Young Adults Pastor at GracePoint Church in Brookings, South Dakota, and leader of Oasis, a weekly ministry gathering 700+ young adults across two Sunday night services. Brennan unpacks the “secret sauce” behind sustaining and scaling young adult ministry in the local church over decades—not as a side program, but as a fully integrated expression of the church’s mission. From teaching calendars and leadership pipelines to navigating transient college populations and keeping alignment with senior leadership, this conversation is a masterclass for pastors and leaders who want to reach the next generation in a healthy, sustainable way. www.youngadults.today

    48 min

  7. Apr 20

    From Youth Group to Lifelong Faith: Building Resilient Young Adults with Daniel LaCella

    In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Dan LaCella from Ohio to talk about why young adult ministry is not optional for the local church anymore. Dan shares: Why the young adult decade (roughly 18–30) is so spiritually strategic How a local young adult ministry helped him “own” his faith at a secular university What God is doing among young adults across Ohio—and how it parallels the movement in Minnesota Why this generation is hungry for depth, doctrine, and authenticity, not just coffee and games How ancient spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, contemplation, sacraments) meet the needs of a digital, distracted age If you’re a pastor, young adult leader, or a twenty-something wondering where you fit in God’s mission, this conversation will fuel your faith and give you practical vision for the future. www.youngadults.today

    1h 1m
  8. Level Up Your Reading, Level Up Your Leading (with Danny Rangel)

    Apr 13

    Level Up Your Reading, Level Up Your Leading (with Danny Rangel)

    In this episode of the Young Adults Today podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down once again with Pastor Danny Rangel from BT Young Adults in McAllen, Texas. Danny shares a powerful three–year recap of BT Young Adults—from humble beginnings after the pandemic to campus worship nights, spontaneous baptisms, and record-breaking Tuesday gatherings. They dive deep into: Why weekly young adult services increased local church commitment How to shift a generation from consumers to contributors Practical strategies for reading more and actually using what you read as a leader Danny also unpacks his famous book recommendations, his simple but brilliant “read to reference, not remember” framework, and his practical system for finishing books consistently as a busy husband, dad, and pastor. More about us: www.youngadults.today

    1h 10m
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4.9
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

Co-hosts Josiah Kennealy and Micah Kennealy interview Generational Researchers like David Kinnaman and Dr. George Barna, Theologians like Dr. Allen Tennison and Joel Muddamale, Pastors like Dallas Viva, Nate Ruch, and Rob Ketterling, Thought Leaders like Rachel Cruze, Susie Larson and experts on reaching young adults in our world, today!

Information

  • Creator
    youngadultstoday
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    387
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    youngadults.today

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