Hey Volunteers: The Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers

Chris Trent
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semimonthly

There are a lot of great youth ministry podcasts out there, but not many focus only on volunteers. Hey Volunteers! is a youth ministry podcast that is all about providing great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point on topics about how to best impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by a couple youth ministry vets that have been working with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you’re going to love this podcast!

  1. 1d ago

    079 | Reaching Gen Alpha with Dr. Shelly Melia

    In this episode of Hey Volunteers, we explore the key characteristics and challenges of Generation Alpha, including their diversity, family dynamics, digital immersion, and trust issues. Dr. Shelly Melia shares insights from her research and book, offering practical guidance for youth and children's ministry volunteers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest 01:15 The size and significance of Generation Alpha 04:43 Research behind the book Reaching Gen Alpha 07:30 Birth rates, size, and life expectancy of Gen Alpha 10:10 Family dynamics and household structures 16:24 Diversity in Generation Alpha 17:58 Impact of the pandemic on Gen Alpha 22:11 Digital immersion and technology exposure 27:21 Hyper individualism and its effects 31:14 Division, polarization, and trust issues 36:52 Addressing worldview and cultural challenges 43:59 Hope and positive outlook for Gen Alpha Reaching Gen Alpha Book: https://a.co/d/0bEckRwL Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are many great youth ministry podcasts out there, but few focus solely on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that provides great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point, covering how best to impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry veterans who have worked with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    079 | Reaching Gen Alpha with Dr. Shelly Melia

  2. Sep 14

    078 | When a Student Stops Showing Up

    In this episode, Chris and Jennifer discuss practical strategies for youth volunteers on how to handle students who stop attending. They share insights on discernment, outreach, prayer, and how to support students in a caring, non-intrusive way. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the challenge of student attendance 02:13 Recognizing the different reasons students stop attending 03:02 The importance of understanding if students switch churches or stop church altogether 04:02 Supporting students who choose new churches 05:08 Doing homework to find out why students stop attending 06:01 Reaching out personally to students 07:25 Clarifying rumors and getting the full story 08:27 Addressing potential issues like relationships or extracurriculars 09:14 Understanding group dynamics and peer influence 10:01 The power of prayer for absent students 11:20 Connecting with parents when appropriate 13:12 Leveraging peer influence to re-engage students 14:16 Encouraging students to live out their faith through actions 15:40 The importance of persistence and not giving up 16:09 The impact of long-term outreach and patience 17:13 Providing easy entry points for students to re-engage 18:13 What to do when students return to youth group 19:20 Avoiding pitfalls in welcoming students back 20:02 Encouragement for volunteers to stay committed 21:14 Closing thoughts and encouragement for youth volunteers Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are many great youth ministry podcasts out there, but few focus solely on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that provides great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point, covering how best to impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry veterans who have worked with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at www.georgiabaptistnextgen.info We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    078 | When a Student Stops Showing Up

  3. Aug 24

    077 | So you're a youth ministry volunteer now…

    077 | So you're a youth ministry volunteer now… So you said yes to serving in youth ministry… now what? In this episode, Chris and Jennifer are joined by veteran youth pastor Todd Jones to share seven practical tips for getting started as a youth ministry volunteer. From balancing teaching and listening to knowing when to be the adult, asking for help, and keeping your own walk with Jesus a priority, these are things every volunteer needs to know. Whether you’re brand new to youth ministry or just stepping into a new role, we hope this conversation encourages you as you point teenagers to Jesus. Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are many great youth ministry podcasts out there, but few focus solely on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that provides great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point, covering how best to impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry veterans who have worked with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    077 | So you're a youth ministry volunteer now…

  4. May 25

    076 | Praying for Your Students All Summer Long

    In this episode of Hey Volunteers! we explore how youth ministry volunteers can effectively stay connected with students during the summer, emphasizing prayer, intentionality, and service. Todd Jones is back, and we share practical tips and scripture-based strategies to nurture faith and relationships in a busy season. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Youth Ministry Podcast 02:41 The Importance of Summer for Youth Ministry 05:35 Influential Volunteers in Youth Ministry 08:46 Practical Tips for Staying Connected with Students 11:38 Praying Scripture for Students 14:40 Daily Prayer Guide for Students 17:40 Bob: A Prayer Strategy for Summer 20:39 Resources for Praying for Students 23:45 Conclusion and Future Plans Scripture we talked about: Prayer Scripture Over Them  Eph 5:15-17 & Luke 2:52  Prayer Guide can be found at youthministry.info Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are many great youth ministry podcasts out there, but few focus solely on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that provides great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point, covering how best to impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry veterans who have worked with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    076 | Praying for Your Students All Summer Long

  5. May 4

    075 | Getting your youth pastor to let you do more…

    In this episode of Hey Volunteers! we explore how volunteers can effectively collaborate with youth ministry leaders to enhance youth ministry. It emphasizes the importance of consistency, intentionality, and coachability among volunteers to foster a thriving ministry environment. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Youth Ministry Podcast 01:41 The Role of Volunteers in Youth Ministry 06:05 Building Trust and Responsibility as a Volunteer 08:16 Key Qualities of Effective Volunteers 11:58 The Importance of Intentionality in Volunteering 16:02 Being Coachable and Adaptable 18:56 Empowering Volunteers and Sharing the Load 23:27 The Impact of Volunteers on Student Ministry Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are many great youth ministry podcasts out there, but few focus solely on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that provides great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point, covering how best to impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry veterans who have worked with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    075 | Getting your youth pastor to let you do more…

  6. Apr 20

    074 | Helping Seniors Graduate Well

    This episode features Tommy Fountain, a campus missionary at the University of Georgia, sharing expert insights on how volunteers can effectively support high school seniors in their transition to college or career. Topics include practical ways to prepare seniors, the importance of ongoing relationships, and creating pipelines for continued spiritual growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Celebrating Milestones 02:51 Preparing Seniors for Transition 06:03 Resources and Conversations for Seniors 08:47 Connecting Students with Local Churches 11:51 Celebrating Graduates and Teachable Moments 14:40 The Importance of Serving 17:51 Commissioning Students for Their Next Steps 20:45 Maintaining Connections After Graduation Resources Get Connected to a BCM https://gabaptist.org/college-future Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are a lot of great youth ministry podcasts out there, but not many focus only on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that is all about providing great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point on topics about how to best impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry vets that have been working with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    074 | Helping Seniors Graduate Well

  7. Mar 24

    073 | You Can't Talk About That (or can you?)

    In this episode of Hey Volunteers!, Chris Trent and Jennifer Fletcher discuss the challenges faced by volunteers in youth ministry, particularly the feeling of being overwhelmed. They are joined by Shane Pruitt, who introduces a great new FREE resource 'You Can't Talk About That,' which addresses sensitive topics such as sexuality, gender, and mental health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of volunteers, the need for open communication with parents, and the necessity of grounding discussions in biblical truth.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Youth Ministry Podcast 01:41 Feeling Overwhelmed as a Volunteer 02:50 Introducing Shane Pruitt and His Resource 04:35 The Value of Volunteers in Youth Ministry 07:27 Discussing Sensitive Topics with Teens 09:17 Cultural Conversations: Addressing Key Issues 11:28 Approaching Difficult Conversations Wisely 14:13 Communicating with Parents and Direct Reports 16:19 Navigating One-on-One Conversations with Students 18:33 Utilizing Resources for Effective Discussions 19:25 Empowering Parents with Resources 20:43 Navigating Conversations on Sexuality 25:45 Understanding Gender Identity 29:44 Addressing Mental Health Challenges Resources You Can’t Talk About That! & Other great resources  | https://www.gensend.org/leader-resources/ Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are a lot of great youth ministry podcasts out there, but not many focus only on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that is all about providing great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point on topics about how to best impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry vets that have been working with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    073 | You Can't Talk About That (or can you?)

  8. Mar 9

    072 | Fresh Calling w/ Steve Spence

    Join us in episode 72 with our special guest, Steve Spence. In this episode, Steve shares practical insights on renewing your passion for youth ministry, managing fatigue, and maintaining spiritual health. Perfect for volunteers and youth leaders seeking to stay motivated and effective in their calling. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:46 The Impact of Ministry Fatigue on Volunteers 02:30 Steve Spence's Background and Book 'Fresh Calling' 04:29 The Long-Term Perspective in Youth Ministry 06:28 Understanding Your Calling from God 08:10 The Importance of a Clear Call in Ministry 10:47 Valuing Your Calling as a Volunteer 12:06 Setting Healthy Boundaries in Ministry 14:36 Guarding Your Spiritual and Inner Life 21:15 Celebrating Small Wins in Ministry 23:30 The Power of Recognizing Small Victories 24:40 Remembering Your Why in Ministry 29:59 Final Encouragement and Wrap-Up Resources Fresh Calling by Steve Spence | https://youthministry360.com/collections/devos-books/products/fresh-calling Hey Volunteers! A Youth Ministry Podcast for Volunteers | There are a lot of great youth ministry podcasts out there, but not many focus only on volunteers. Hey Volunteers is a Youth Ministry Podcast that is all about providing great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point on topics about how to best impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by several youth ministry vets that have been working with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you're going to love this podcast! You can reach Chris & the team at studentministrynetwork.com We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at YouthMinistryPodcast@GaBaptist.org to share show ideas or give us feedback.

    072 | Fresh Calling w/ Steve Spence
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There are a lot of great youth ministry podcasts out there, but not many focus only on volunteers. Hey Volunteers! is a youth ministry podcast that is all about providing great content to help volunteers who work with teenagers. Each episode is short and to the point on topics about how to best impact teenagers with the gospel. Each episode will be hosted by a couple youth ministry vets that have been working with teenagers for over 30 years. If you love working with teenagers, you’re going to love this podcast!

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