Vitals for Youth Ministry

Eran Holt & Caleb Leake
  • 5.0 (73)
  • Christianity

Welcome to the Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast. Vitals for youth ministry is a biblical framework based out of Acts 2:42-46, developed by Lead The Generation that trains youth leaders to build a local church youth ministry focused on developing students into healthy disciples. In this podcast we will focus on the topics and issues most relevant to leadership in Youth Ministry. The Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast is hosted by Eran Holt, founder of Lead The Generation & Caleb Leake, Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

  1. Oct 11

    Spiritual Fathers: 5 Lessons from Pastor Jeff

    We talk honestly about Pastor Jeff Leake’s legacy and how spiritual fathering shapes a healthier way to lead in youth ministry. We share five lessons that move relationships from transactional to transformational so students and leaders grow with security, trust, and purpose.  • spiritual fathering as a core youth ministry calling and the “third voice” students need  • belonging before becoming, giving a secure place without performance  • shifting away from transactional ministry with students and leaders  • seeing potential early, speaking affirmation, and trusting people with opportunity  • protecting the person before the platform, including rest, therapy, and sabbatical wisdom  • measuring success by what others become rather than what we personally build  • carrying legacy forward without becoming clones, letting a mentor’s voice keep shaping how we lead  If you love this episode, make sure to share it with somebody. If you know somebody who’s walking through something like this, and it could be of any help, please share it with somebody. Do us a favor, you know, give us a review on you know one of the one of the platforms, whatever platform you’re listening on. Leave a comment on YouTube, subscribe, like, hit the button, share all the good stuff.  Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Spiritual Fathers: 5 Lessons from Pastor Jeff

  2. Sep 19

    Remembering and Honoring Pastor Jeff Leake - Leading Through Loss

    We come back from a long hiatus to honor Pastor Jeff, Caleb’s dad and our lead pastor, after his sudden death and the shock that followed. We talk candidly about carrying grief while still leading people, and how God meets us with grace when we feel like we’re not ourselves anymore.  • recounting the night of the medical crisis and the hours that changed everything  • naming the unique weight of grieving as a church community while still gathering to worship  • rejecting the idea of “normal” grief and releasing the need to perform healing  • reframing the goal from getting over grief to growing enough to carry it  • holding the paradox of joy and loss during new milestones and major life change  • exploring biblical lament, honest prayer, and the comfort of God’s nearness  • learning from sitting Shiva, presence, silence, and shared memories  • practicing support that works, including community, counseling, boundaries, and self grace. Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Remembering and Honoring Pastor Jeff Leake - Leading Through Loss

  3. Feb 4

    Preparing for Gen Alpha, Discipling Digital Natives, & Quiet Revival in Youth Ministry

    In this episode, we sit down with Sam McCollough from Feed.Bible to explore hopeful trends in youth ministry and equip next generation leaders to guide students toward lasting faith. We unpack what it means to be “emerging committed,” identify markers of spiritual formation, and share strategies for discipling students in a world shaped by AI and digital culture. Discover how to close the gap between nominal faith and resilient belief through authentic youth discipleship, including: Trends in Gen Z engagement and the quiet revivalUnderstanding Gen Alpha as digital natives navigating an AI-driven worldDefining and spotting emerging committed ChristiansThe 65% Christian claim vs. the 16% committed corePractical ways for next generation leaders to move students from nominal to resilient faithUsing AI as a tool for growth, not a replacement for pastoral responsibilityModeling wise tech use for students and parentsConcrete next steps for sermons, small groups, and leader trainingWhether you lead a youth ministry, mentor student leaders, or are passionate about spiritual formation, this episode with Sam McCollough equips you with insights and strategies to disciple the next generation with wisdom and courage. Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Preparing for Gen Alpha, Discipling Digital Natives, & Quiet Revival in Youth Ministry

  4. Jan 21

    Why Intimacy with God Gets Lost in Ministry w/ John Zick

    A heart-first kickoff to season two on the power of abiding in Jesus, why confidence flows from intimacy with God, and how to diagnose fruit to find the root. We talk with John Zick about honest stories, simple rhythms, and practical boundaries to guard your heart and lead from overflow. • Defining abiding as ongoing relationship with God • Rival mentality versus true fulfillment • Fruit diagnostics from Galatians to locate your roots • Anointing versus approval and the danger of autopilot • Practical boundaries and calendar blocks for health • Integrating prayer into ordinary moments • Resetting vision for ministry by guarding your heart • Resources from the Called Initiative and how to connect Connect with John Zick! ✉️  Jzick@ag.org  Check out the CALLED free resources at called.ag.org Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Why Intimacy with God Gets Lost in Ministry w/ John Zick

  5. 12/17/2025

    Finding Leaders in Any Church, the Playbook for Leader Development, & the Third Voice

    We share a field-tested playbook for building a healthy youth leadership team, from recruiting people who care to training them with simple rhythms that last. Ashton Peters unpacks “The Third Voice,” showing how mentors help students from unchurched homes grow with steady guidance. • Leadership development as the engine of sustainable youth ministry • Recruiting seasoned adults and diverse voices beyond “cool factor” • Practical sources for volunteers, including the church secretary and lobby time • Clear onboarding with expectations, shadowing, and a simple booklet • Support roles that prevent burnout and let small group leaders focus • Weekly huddles, monthly meetings, and an annual retreat as core rhythm • Spiritual parenting and mentoring for students from unchurched homes • Gritty realities of youth ministry and how teams walk through hard things • Tools and resources for content, training, and consistency Buy “The Third Voice” by Ashton Peters on Amazon or MyHealthy Church to grab the book today! Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Finding Leaders in Any Church, the Playbook for Leader Development, & the Third Voice

  6. 12/03/2025

    Long-Game Leadership & Building a Ministry That Can Sustain Growth

    We pull back the curtain on youth ministry insecurity, comparison, and the pressure to make every Wednesday hinge on one person, then map a better way—equipping leaders, planning with purpose, and building systems that last. Gabby O’Rourke shares candid stories and a practical framework to turn vision into sustained growth. • Naming insecurity and resisting comparison • Equipping volunteers over owning the night • Character, calling, culture, competency as a framework • Prayer-led recruiting of multi-generational teams • Yearly scope and sequence for content planning • Small group prep and response culture that disciple • Assessing ratios, roles, and Wednesday flow • Fixing foundations before cosmetic changes • Opening feedback loops and receiving input well Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Long-Game Leadership & Building a Ministry That Can Sustain Growth

  7. 11/12/2025

    Making the Gospel Tangible, Turning Moments into Eternal Impact, & Inspiring Everyday Faith

    We sit down with Reggie Dabbs to explore how presence, scripture, and bold invitations move students from passive listeners to active disciples. From back-row handshakes to altar calls, we unpack a simple, focused path to help students live on mission every day. • Making mission normal in daily life • Earning trust with presence and integrity • Using scripture as the engine of change • Writing messages backward from response • Leading clear, bold altar moments • Staying tender by avoiding green rooms • Modeling testimony without losing depth • Encouraging discouraged leaders as tag changers • Practical tips for prayerful preparation Give us a review, give us a like, give us a share on any of the platforms you’re watching. Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    Making the Gospel Tangible, Turning Moments into Eternal Impact, & Inspiring Everyday Faith

  8. 10/29/2025

    A Blueprint for Small Groups, Practical Leader Habits, & Creating a Culture of Belonging

    We talk with Carrie Brooks about building a safe, Jesus-centered community where students can belong while they figure out what they believe. From a hilarious living-room play to a practical playbook for small groups, this is a master class in culture, habits, and care. • Why belonging is the on-ramp to belief • Five measurable habits for small-group leaders • Structuring grade and gender groups that move up together • Leading discussions where students talk more than leaders • Using labs to practice Bible reading, prayer and evangelism • Showing up at student events and building camaraderie • Recruiting and retaining leaders through care and vision • Creating low-cost, high-impact group events • Why consistency and a three-month test matter Support the show Check out the FREE youth ministry resource Vitals for Youth Ministry by clicking below! It has everything you need from free sermon series, training resources for your leaders, and tools to help you assess the health of your ministry. https://www.leadthegeneration.com/vitals Connect with the hosts! Eran Holt - Director of Lead the Generation 📸  @eranholt Caleb Leake - Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church 📸  @calebmleake This episode is sponsored by: World Serve International 🔗  Click Here! Allison Park leadership Academy 🔗  Click Here!

    A Blueprint for Small Groups, Practical Leader Habits, & Creating a Culture of Belonging
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5
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast. Vitals for youth ministry is a biblical framework based out of Acts 2:42-46, developed by Lead The Generation that trains youth leaders to build a local church youth ministry focused on developing students into healthy disciples. In this podcast we will focus on the topics and issues most relevant to leadership in Youth Ministry. The Vitals for Youth Ministry Podcast is hosted by Eran Holt, founder of Lead The Generation & Caleb Leake, Youth Pastor at Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Information

  • Creator
    Eran Holt & Caleb Leake
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vitals for Youth Ministry
  • Show Website
    Vitals for Youth Ministry

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