DCE Jeremy Becker joins Julianna and Mark for a conversation about how youth leaders can foster community and relationships that build belonging in their youth ministry. Bio: Jeremy Becker is a Director of Christian Education with over 24 years. He currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, Florida before that, he served at Concordia Lutheran in Kirkwood, Missouri. He was recently awarded the Master DCE award from the National Association of DCEs. He is married to Kristin and has two daughters.  Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com ..read more

It’s time to start planning for the 2025 Youth Gathering! Mark and Julianna talk about things to consider as you begin to prepare your congregation, youth, parents and other adults for the Gathering. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com ..read more

The next episode in our second starter pack discusses child safety and risk management. Mark and Julianna talk about what can go wrong and how you can prepare to keep youth and adults safe and healthy. Resources mentioned in this episode: The LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com Ministry Safe: ministrysafe.com/lcms LCMS Page on Child Abuse/Safety: lcms.org/social-issues/child-abuse ..read more

We are excited to be revealing the theme “Endure” for the upcoming 2025 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the theme, the passages of Hebrews we will focus on and more about our theological paper. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Student Life at Concordia Seminary here in St. Louis. He served a congregation in Minnesota before coming to the Seminary. Peter has served on our Theological Advisory Team for several Gatherings and wrote our thematic paper ..read more

Service work is a key component of a healthy youth ministry. Service on longer, intensive weeks like servant events or mission trips give youth a chance to live out their faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and build relationships that keep them tied to their congregation. LCMS Youth Ministry has supported LCMS Servant Events for over 40 years and today we hear more about their benefits to young people, those who serve alongside them, and those they serve in the name of Christ. Resources for Servant Events: LCMS Servant Events - lcms.org/servantevents Event Listing - lcms-servantevents.o ..read more

College academic years have started across the country. This is a momentous time of transition for a freshman, and exciting times for upper classmen. A new living arrangement, a new schedule, new freedom, and new relationships all meet young people as they go from high school to their next academic adventure. Campus Ministries and home congregations provide ongoing prayer and support for their walk with Jesus. In this episode, we hear how parents and supportive adults provide this care for students they love. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com and LCMS Campus Min ..read more

One of the biggest struggles we know are a part of adolescence, especially today, is identity formation. We talk with DCE Cassie Moore about how youth ministry can play a role in helping form an identity in Christ and about her recent study on identity. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Cassie Moore is an author, international speaker, and leadership consultant with 15 years of experience as a Director of Christian Education in Lutheran churches and schools, including multi-site ministries. She’s author of Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Work ..read more

We conclude our short series on Christian Apologetics, inviting Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox to give insight to worldviews and philosophies faced by Christians. Resources in this episode: YouthESource Website — youthesource.com  Brad Alles’ Resource Website — bradalles.com   “Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) — youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope Life’s Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles — cph.org/lifes-big-questions-gods-big-answers     Starting at the End by Brad Alles — cph.org/starting-at-the-end   Post ..read more

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics with guests Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox.  In this episode we tackle a few questions raised by those inside and outside of the faith.  Our guests give insight to answers to defend the faith and share it with others.  Bios: Dr. Brad Alles is an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin.  He is a frequent Bible study teacher and speaker at local, state and national youth gatherings, as well as youth worker, teacher, and pastor conferences.  Rev. Joe Cox is Campus Pastor and Director of Curric ..read more

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics, exploring the role of Apologetics in Christian education and youth ministry.  Faith Spelbring, DCE, joins us to give insight and resources to equip young people to think critically about the intersection of faith and life and witnessing to others. Resources in this episode: Life's Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles cph.org/lifes-big-questions-gods-big-answers The Defense Never Rests by Craig Parton cph.org/the-defense-never-rests-second-edition Bio: Faith Spelbring, DCE, lives with her husband Chris, and four children in Bel ..read more