The Sunday School Junkie!

James Pelletier
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Sunday School Junkie is the podcast for anyone addicted to reaching kids for the Kingdom! Whether you're a new volunteer or a seasoned teacher, you'll find tips, tricks, and inspiration from the best in Apostolic children’s ministry. Join us as we talk shop, share resources, and celebrate the incredible opportunity to shape young lives for Jesus!

  1. Perspectives with Eric Stender - S2 E2

    JAN 27

    Perspectives with Eric Stender - S2 E2

    What if the story you’ve told a hundred times still has something new to teach you? In this episode of Sunday School Junkie, we’re joined by children’s pastor and author Eric Stender to explore the power of perspective—in Scripture, in ministry, and in everyday KidMin moments. Eric shares how a chaotic Sunday School class unexpectedly gave birth to one of his most effective teaching tools: retelling Bible stories from unexpected viewpoints. From the lion in Daniel’s den, to the thief on the Jericho road, to even the forgotten water jar at the well, Eric shows how rotating the camera doesn’t change the truth—it reveals it more clearly. Together, we talk about: ·      Why perspective makes familiar Bible storiesfeel fresh again ·       How misread behavior in kids often comes down tohunger, hurt, or hidden struggles ·       The difference between biblicalcreativity and drifting from Scripture ·       Why perfection is the enemy of progress—and whywaiting “until it’s ready” often means never starting ·       How self-publishing, collaboration, and feedbackcan unlock the resources already inside KidMin leaders This episode also introduces a fun, practical segment—the Perspective Pivot—challenging every listener to take thisweek’s lesson and retell it from a new angle. Key takeaway:You don’t lose truth by changing perspective—you often discover it. 🎯 Listener Challenge:Take one Bible story you’ve taught countless times. Rotate the camera. Tell it from a different viewpoint. Then ask your class:  “What did you notice this time that you never noticed before?”

    30 min
  2. BONUS: The More You Pour. Why Serving the Kingdom Leaves You Full - S2 B1

    JAN 19 · BONUS

    BONUS: The More You Pour. Why Serving the Kingdom Leaves You Full - S2 B1

    What happens when people who’ve worked together for years finally sit in the same room for the first time? In this special bonus episode of Sunday School Junkie, recorded on New Year’s Day in Branson, Missouri, James & Kimberly Pelletier sit down in person with Jason & Kim Ashley from Growing Up With Pawpaw for an unscripted, real-time conversation about kids ministry, creativity, calling, and the surprising fulfillment that comes from investing in something bigger than yourself. This isn’t a polished interview. It’s friends talking shop — laughing, reflecting, and unpacking what they’ve learned while building curriculum, podcasts, and resources for Apostolic kids across the country. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How God connects people long before geography ever does Why the more you serve the Kingdom, the more fulfilled life becomes Building safe, Apostolic content for kids in a noisy digital world Balancing outreach and discipleship in Sunday School Why collaboration beats competition in children’s ministry The unseen ripple effect of saying “yes” to kingdom ideas If you’ve ever wondered whether your ideas matter, whether your effort is worth it, or whether you’re called to something more — this conversation will remind you why serving the Kingdom never leaves you empty. Resources mentioned: Apostolic Radio for Kids (ARK): wpfkids.org/ark Apostolic Sunday School: apostolicsundayschool.com If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone serving in kids ministry. You never know who’s one conversation away from stepping into their calling.

    40 min
  3. The Power of Positive Intent - S2 E1

    JAN 13

    The Power of Positive Intent - S2 E1

    What if the biggest problem in kids ministry isn’t behavior—but how we interpret behavior? In this Season 2 kickoff episode of Sunday School Junkie, we dive deep into the principle of assuming positive intent—a leadership mindset that has the power to reduce conflict, strengthen teams, and radically improve how we minister to children, parents, and volunteers. The episode opens with a real-life, laugh-out-loud story about a grandmother who assumed friendliness instead of frustration—and how that simple perspective shift exposes a much bigger truth about human nature. From there, we explore: why our brains naturally assume the worst, how fatigue and past hurt distort interpretation, and why Scripture consistently points us toward seeing the heart before reacting to behavior. Using powerful biblical examples—including Hannah and Eli, Samuel and Eliab, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman, Mary and Martha, and Peter walking on water—we see how God responds to intent, not just action. There’s also a fun mid-episode Twist segment, honest humor imagining “What if Jesus was like us?”, and highly practical application for: handling challenging behavior in kids, leading volunteers with grace, and building a healthier, more Christlike ministry culture. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, misunderstood, or worn down in ministry—this episode will reframe how you see people and remind you why grace must always come first.

    34 min
  4. Questions. Is There Not A Cause? S1E13

    11/04/2025

    Questions. Is There Not A Cause? S1E13

    Life’s full of questions — from “Why?” to “Where’s the ketchup?” to “What in the world is God doing?” In this laugh-filled yet deeply thoughtful episode, James, Jorge, and Manny explore the power of questions — from silly ones to sacred ones. Starting with Chris Rice’s classic song Questions for Heaven, they reflect on how curiosity shapes our faith and how even God asked questions from Genesis to Revelation. You’ll hear about: The “dumbest questions” we’ve all asked (and the dad-vision vs. mom-vision debate). Why the Bible isn’t just an Answer Book — it’s full of famous questions that mirror our own. How great leaders (JFK, MLK Jr., and Jesus Himself) used questions to awaken purpose. And how David’s bold shift from “Who am I?” to “Is there not a cause?” challenges every Sunday School teacher and believer to focus on the mission — our kids. It’s part humor, part conviction, and 100% encouragement for everyone working in children’s ministry. Notable Moments 🧃 C4 and Kermit the Frog: A caffeinated detour into Chris Rice and cartoon worship songs. 🤔 Dad Vision vs. Mom Vision: The eternal “where’s the ketchup” question gets theological. 📖 The Bible’s Big Questions: From Adam and Abraham to Paul and the martyrs in Revelation. 🧠 “Sometimes the question is the answer.” 💥 David’s comeback: “Who do you think you are?” → “Is there not a cause?” TakeawayYou don’t need to have all the answers — just keep asking the right questions.When doubt whispers “Who am I?”, answer back with David’s question: “Is there not a cause?”Because there is — and that cause is our kids.

    35 min
  5. The BIG Recap - S1 E12

    10/23/2025

    The BIG Recap - S1 E12

    Wow! 11 of us gather round the big table and review what God did this past weekend in Union City, Tennessee... WPF Kids Hosted a Children's Ministry Conference that started off with a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) gathering at a local elementary school where we had around 300 students attend. Then we kicked off the seminar with a powerful general session and capped off the first night with a Children's church service where 15 got the Holy Ghost! Saturday was jam packed with great sessions and Sunday we closed the weekend out with another power-packed kid's service and another 15 being filled with the Holy Ghost!

    1h 9m
  6. Big Dreams Begin Small - S1 E 11

    10/07/2025

    Big Dreams Begin Small - S1 E 11

    This episode was an absolute BLAST to record. Honestly, our audio leveler muted a lot of the laughter, and our editor cut out about five minutes of pure, ridiculous frivolity. Hopefully, you’ll still catch the spirit and fun that carried through the whole conversation. We’re back! One of my goals for Sunday School Junkie is that it’s not just my voice you hear every-other week. I want you to hear from all kinds of people who are out there making a difference in kids’ ministry. And this week, we got to do just that with my friend, Brother Philip Booker. Now, you’ll notice that we never actually said the phrase “Big Dreams Begin Small” during the episode—but that’s the heart of everything we talked about. From growing up in the home of an Apostolic hero (who never set out to be a hero) to building a simple website that has become a huge resource in our movement, and now expanding into podcasts, YouTube channels, curriculum, and even an audio Bible—it all started small. And that’s the lesson: big dreams don’t happen overnight. The key to running a marathon is just taking the next step—sometimes it’s as simple as making it to the next crack in the sidewalk. That’s true in running, and it’s true in the Kingdom of God. The marathon mindset applies to ministry: don’t stare at 26.2; just take the next step… even if it’s only to the next crack in the sidewalk. We also got into the idea of burnout—and here’s the takeaway: if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, burnout really isn’t an option. If your fire’s dimming, lock onto a short milestone—the next doable step—and relight the wick that’s burning toward your TNT. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why “start small” beats “wait for perfect.” How small, consistent steps snowball into big impact. Calling ≠ cloning: find your role in God’s work. A practical way to fight burnout: aim for the next tiny win.

    41 min

  7. 07/01/2025

    Rapture Rehearsal: Praise Is Not About Personality

    This episode brings together Sunday School Junkie, Truism, and For Generations To Come for an unforgettable conversation with Pastor Daniel McKillop, host of Kingdom Speak and a leading voice in the Apostolic world today. Recorded in a humble nursery during camp meeting (yes—there were squeaky toys & squeaky chairs), this raw and rich dialogue dives deep into the purpose of Apostolic content creation, the danger of spiritual consumerism, and the power of grounded doctrine and praise. You'll hear why praise is rapture rehearsal, how context keeps truth from being bludgeoned, and what Pastor McKillop thinks is the most out-of-context verse used today. 🧠 Highlights: “Creators control consumers”—why Apostolics need to produce excellent content. The importance of being rooted in doctrine in the age of noise and deception. “Praise isn’t about personality”—how worship reflects your walk. A powerful explanation of Romans 8:28 in full context. “Rapture Rehearsal” — spontaneous praise as your spiritual temperature check. Favorite misused verses and the difference between fathers and instructors.

    38 min
  8. Sunday Snippet: Rain, Mud, Revival with the Bradshaw's

    06/22/2025 · BONUS

    Sunday Snippet: Rain, Mud, Revival with the Bradshaw's

    🌧️ Summary: What do gum in the carpet, stolen vans, and muddy classrooms have to do with revival? According to Bro & Sis Bradshaw—everything. In this candid and powerful Sunday Snippet, they remind us that rain is only an inconvenience to things that don’t want to grow. Ministry gets messy. But if even one soul is reached, it’s worth every inconvenience. 🔑 Key Quotes: “Rain is only an inconvenience to things that don’t want to grow.” “Time spent in the unseen always leads to fruitfulness in the unseen.” “We pray for rain, but complain about the mud.” 💬 Themes: Enduring the hidden work of ministryThe value of a single soul Revival’s messiness and beauty Embracing the rain—and the mud that comes with it

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Sunday School Junkie is the podcast for anyone addicted to reaching kids for the Kingdom! Whether you're a new volunteer or a seasoned teacher, you'll find tips, tricks, and inspiration from the best in Apostolic children’s ministry. Join us as we talk shop, share resources, and celebrate the incredible opportunity to shape young lives for Jesus!

Information

  • Creator
    James Pelletier
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © James Pelletier
  • Show Website
    The Sunday School Junkie!

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