Simple Kids Ministry

Jeremy O'Neill
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity

The Simple Kids Ministry Podcast is your go-to for simple, practical solutions for kids ministry leaders. We sit down with experts in the kids ministry space to share helpful, actionable insights you can use right away.

  1. 1d ago

    Katie Cummins: Social Media, AI, and Camp vs. VBS

    What if your social media, your curriculum prep, and even your summer programming strategy could all work smarter — not harder? In this conversation, Katie Cummins, NextGen Director at Church of Hope in Ocala, Florida, pulls back the curtain on how she approaches three areas every kids ministry leader navigates: social media, AI, and summer programming. Katie shares how she uses her ministry's social platforms to equip and inspire parents rather than just push announcements, and why AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT have become a genuine part of her weekly workflow — from content calendars to curriculum prep. She also makes a compelling case for why her church ditched VBS in favor of overnight camp, and what it looks like when that investment pays off with real discipleship moments. QUICK LINKS: Simple Kids Ministry Sunday Shot List Top Kids Ministries to Follow on Social: Hope in Ocala Kids River Valley Kids Highlands Kids Grove Kids TBCO Kids Radiant Kids Zion Kids Eleven22 Kids

    1h 4m

  2. Jun 23

    Jana Magruder: What the Research Says About Kids and Faith

    What actually produces lasting faith in kids? LifeWay has been researching that question for over a decade — and the answer keeps coming back to the Bible. Jana Magruder, Director of Kids Ministry Publishing at LifeWay, joins the podcast to talk about what that research found, what it means for the local church, and how it shapes everything her team builds. Jeremy and Jana dig into the origin stories behind The Gospel Project, Explore the Bible, and LifeWay's newest curriculum Hi-Fi — including the three-year research process that shaped it and why belonging and identity are at its core. Jana also breaks down LifeWay's "Big Picture Questions," a catechism hiding in plain sight, and why theological grounding for kids matters more than ever. QUICK LINKS: Flip the Script Nothing Less Hi-Fi curriculum Explore the Bible curriculum The Gospel Project curriculum Levels of Biblical Literacy "Big Picture Questions" resource Instagram: @janamag Podcast: Kids Ministry Calling

    1h 15m

  3. Jun 16

    Amy Fenton: Building a VBS From Scratch

    In this conversation, Amy pulls back the curtain on how one of the most popular VBS experiences gets made, from the messy, prayerful brainstorming process all the way to final execution. She shares what most churches get wrong about their VBS budget (hint: it's not the stage), where leaders consistently underspend their energy, and how her thinking has shifted over the years on whether VBS is really an outreach event or a discipleship opportunity. Amy also breaks the news on Orange's most unexpected collaboration yet: a full VBS partnership with Dude Perfect for 2027. She takes us inside how the deal came together, what it actually looks like in the curriculum, and why she thinks it has the potential to bring record numbers through church doors this summer. Plus, Jeremy and Amy close the conversation with something a little more personal — what it looks like to raise kids in the middle of full-time ministry, and the grace it takes to do both well. QUICK LINKS: HOW TO VBS Book KIDMIN U

    58 min

  4. Jun 9

    Andrae Jones: Learn How Your Pastor Thinks

    What does it look like to build a thriving kids ministry team — and lead the people above you just as well as the people beside you? Jeremy sits down with Andrae Jones, Kids Pastor at One Community Church in Plano, Texas, to talk community, culture, and what it takes to lead well over the long haul. Andrae shares how he helped launch DFW KidMin, a grassroots quarterly gathering for kids leaders across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We talk about why giving ministry away raises your stock, what the Netflix Q2 report revealed about church engagement, and how getting kids involved in serving shapes their faith for life. Andrae also breaks down how to speak your senior pastor's language — and why you need a 60-second pitch, a 5-minute pitch, and a full pitch ready at all times. QUICK LINKS: KIDMIN U OneHope One Community Church Andrae Jones on Instagram

    1h 3m

  5. Jun 3

    Justyn Smith: Spatial Storytelling in Kids Ministry

    Justyn Smith has spent decades raising the bar for kids ministry — from building Disney-inspired environments at River Valley Church to coaching leaders and writing books that have shaped how the whole field thinks about volunteers, systems, and discipleship. In this conversation, Jeremy and Justyn cover a lot of ground — from what the Disney model actually teaches us about environments and family engagement, to the real ROI of investing in physical spaces (including a church that saw over 2,100 first-time kids in year one of their new building). They also dig into the staffing conversation: why churches are searching for unicorns they can't afford, why your next great kids pastor might already be sitting in your pews, and how flexible leadership structures could open doors to high-capacity leaders churches would otherwise never recruit. QUICK LINKS: Kidmin Magic Justyn Smith's Books KIDMIN U

    59 min

  6. May 26

    Annette Safstrom: Practical Systems to Avoid Burnout

    What does it actually take to build a kids ministry that doesn't burn you out? Annette Safstrom — author of Sustainable Children's Ministry and consultant with Ministry Architects — knows firsthand what it feels like to hit the wall. In this conversation, she shares the turning point that brought her back into ministry, why the "workhorse syndrome" is silently crushing so many kids pastors, and the practical systems she put in place to build a ministry that actually works. In this episode: Why Annette quit kids ministry — and what brought her backThe workhorse syndrome and how to break the cycleHow to build systems that create consistency (and protect your team)Leading up: what your senior pastor actually needs to hear from youWhy kids ministry is harder than anyone tells you — and how to get the support you needQUICK LINKS: Annette Safstrom: annette.safstrom@ministryarchitects.com Ministry Architects Sustainable Children's Ministry Book KIDMIN U

    51 min

  7. May 19

    Mal Corwin: Building a Spirit-filled Kids Ministry

    What does it look like when kids actually encounter the presence of God? Mal Corwin, Kids Pastor at The Belonging Co, shares how they have cultivated a place where children lead in worship, pray for healing, and hear from God in real and tangible ways. Mal unpacks the philosophy behind the phrase "there's no junior Holy Spirit" — and what it actually looks like in practice. From teaching kids how to worship (not just sing songs) to creating space for prayer ministry, and big faith moments, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for any kids pastor who wants more of the Holy Spirit's presence in their ministry. Quick Links: KIDMIN U The Belonging Co malcorwin.com The Volunteer Buy-in Blueprint

    1h 3m

  8. May 12

    David Rausch: The Story Behind GO! Curriculum

    What does it look like when God calls you to something that terrifies you? David Rausch, founder of GO! Curriculum and author of Feeding Faith, shares the story behind his leap from kids ministry director to curriculum creator. Jeremy and David dig into what makes curriculum actually work: developmental appropriateness, the E.A.T. framework, and why GO!'s chronological scope and sequence was built around the rhythms of the calendar year. If you've ever used GO! Curriculum, wondered how curriculum gets made, or needed a reminder that God often calls the wrong person on purpose, this one's for you. Quick Links: GO! Curriculum Feeding Faith by David Rausch Two Minute Trainer for Small Group Leaders Two Minute Trainer for Large Group Teachers

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Simple Kids Ministry Podcast is your go-to for simple, practical solutions for kids ministry leaders. We sit down with experts in the kids ministry space to share helpful, actionable insights you can use right away.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeremy O'Neill
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeremy O'Neill
  • Show Website
    Simple Kids Ministry

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