Stay ConnectedWelcome to the Youth Ministry Booster podcast! The most honest and hilarious podcast in student ministry. Hosted by Zac Workun and Chad Higgins. We are the biggest fans of youth ministry leaders like you!
We are here for you with the humor and the help to engage, entertain, equip, and encourage.
Youth ministry is better together. Learn more @ http://www.youthministrybooster.com
Youth Ministry.. it ain't what it used to be!
The digital revolution has transformed youth ministry into uncharted territory, creating what seasoned experts are calling "a perfect storm" of challenges for today's teenagers. At the heart of this storm lies the smartphone – a device that has fundamentally altered how adolescents experience relationships, rest, and reality itself.
"The culture is catechizing our kids 24-7 through these devices," -Walt Mueller
Special Guest Alert: Walt Mueller of CPYU
There is some reason to raise alarms: trends like teens sleeping with phones, FaceTiming until they pass out, and even gambling online during school lunch periods. This constant digital immersion directly contributes to the sleep deprivation fueling unprecedented anxiety levels among young people. Medical experts emphasize that teenagers need approximately nine hours of uninterrupted sleep for healthy development, yet notifications and digital dependencies make this virtually impossible for many.
In the wake of Jonathan Haidt's must-read book "The Anxious Generation" Zac and Walt discuss how parents increasingly use their children as "status objects" for social media validation, creating crushing pressure that transforms ordinary activities into high-stakes performance arenas. Youth workers must respond with a threefold approach: prophetic influence (speaking God's truth to cultural realities), preventive influence (building appropriate guardrails), and redemptive influence (offering grace when mistakes inevitably occur). Rather than merely aiming for behavioral compliance, effective youth ministry nurtures heart transformation through balanced spiritual formation.
Today's youth ministry leaders function as cross-cultural missionaries who must be deeply grounded in Scripture while simultaneously understanding the complex digital landscape teens navigate. By creating spaces where adolescents can experience genuine community, rest, and spiritual formation apart from screens, youth ministry offers what many teenagers desperately need but rarely experience elsewhere.
Subscribe to the podcast to hear more conversations with ministry leaders who are reimagining how we disciple the next generation in an age of digital distraction and spiritual hunger.
If you're experiencing ministry burnout or feeling your passion fading, establish accountability with someone who knows you well enough to speak truth when you're drifting, and intentionally surround yourself with those newer to ministry who bring fresh perspective and enthusiasm.
SPECIAL GUEST ALERT: Jameson Barker
Veteran youth minister Jameson Barker shares how he maintains ministry passion after two decades of service by shifting from complacency to expectancy.
Here's some practical strategies for staying spiritually engaged when ministry routines become all too familiar.
• Fighting complacency after 20+ years in youth ministry
• How routines and familiarity can lead to spiritual disengagement
• Creating a mindset of expectancy through intentional daily practices
• Recognizing warning signs when your heart begins to drift
• The importance of staying present during ministry moments
• Creating unexpected moments of joy and connection for your team
• Building accountability relationships with people who know you well
• Surrounding yourself with younger staff to maintain freshness and enthusiasm
• Practical ways to approach familiar events with renewed anticipation
What's it like to be new? Feel like you are the only one?
Welp you are not! There is a growing trend of folks leading youth ministry that are 1. new to the role 2. home grown from the church where they attend. In this episode we learn firsthand all about it!
Join us for an eye-opening discussion about the journey into youth ministry with Miguel Adesokan, who shares his unique experiences as he transitions from volunteer to staff.
This timely episode brings to light not only the challenges faced by those new to the ministry but also the incredible opportunities to make meaningful connections and create a thriving youth community.
This conversation highlights the vital connections, challenges, and opportunities within the youth ministry landscape.
• Journey from volunteer to staff
• Unique opportunities in youth ministry
• The importance of communication and administration care
• Empowering dream teamers and creating leaders
• Balancing responsibilities and personal care
• Wisdom for newcomers in ministry
What happens when a vibrant young leader embraces his calling in the unpredictable setting of youth ministry?
Special Guest Alert: Mariano Sarabia
This episode explores the path of youth ministry through the experience of Mariano, who shares his calling, challenges, and successes in empowering young leaders. The importance of humility, prayer, and authentic relationships in ministry are emphasized throughout the conversation, along with practical advice to engage and disciple the next generation.
• Mariano's journey into youth ministry through personal tragedy and faith
• The essential qualities of humility and teachability for young leaders
• Building strong relationships with senior pastors and other colleagues
• Engaging young adults in meaningful conversations about ministry
• The powerful role of prayer in cultivating future leaders
• Strategies for effectively preaching to the next generation
• Fostering a culture of support and vulnerability in ministry
Could You Survive the 1800s? The password is Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Could you hack it in the 1800s armed only with modern knowledge? Wild question, right?
Zac and Chad wrote a book!
This episode kicks off with some fun, lighthearted speculation before we take a deep dive into childhood nostalgia—Dr. Seuss, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and how those early books shaped our love for reading. But this isn't just a trip down memory lane; it’s a special occasion. Chad is back on the Youth Ministry Booster podcast, and we’re celebrating the upcoming release of our new book, Define the Relationship, now available for pre-order!
Beyond the laughs and throwback stories (including why Clifford wasn’t just a dog in our childhood imaginations), we shift gears into something every youth leader needs to hear: the power of partnering with parents. We’ve spent years researching, listening to over a thousand church-going parents, and crafting a framework that helps youth pastors and parents get on the same page. Ministry isn’t just about programming—it’s about creating a culture of discipleship that starts in the home. We break down practical next steps, a six-month plan for parent ministry, and why youth ministries should function as spiritual centers in today’s chaotic world.
As we wrap up, we tackle one of the biggest shifts needed in youth ministry today: moving from event-based models to deep, relational discipleship. It’s a challenge, but it’s necessary for long-term impact. And of course, we can’t end without some excitement—Define the Relationship is here! We’d love for you to read it, rate it, and review it. Your feedback fuels the future of these conversations, and who knows? Maybe some special guests will join us next time.
So grab your headphones, hit play, and let’s dive in! And if you’ve got thoughts, hit us up—we love hearing from you.
Youth ministry is relational work. The work isn't not quality time but quality time. Relationships that are growing are resilient.
🚨SPECIAL GUEST ALERT
Daniel Kim
dkim@gospelife.com
Daniel__Tokyo
Youth ministry flourishes when leaders invest in relationships, mentorship, and personal growth. In this episode of the Youth Ministry Booster Podcast, we sit down with a young pastor Daniel Kim navigating cultural challenges and discovering how mentorship shapes resilient leaders. Whether you're a seasoned youth minister or just starting, this conversation will equip you with insights to deepen connections and lead with impact.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why mentorship is the backbone of effective youth ministry
✅ How strong relationships create lasting faith in students
✅ Personal growth and embracing faith through leadership challenges
✅ Lessons from Chicago’s diverse ministry landscape
✅ The unique challenges faced by international youth ministers
✅ Practical ways to build community and develop future leaders
Join us as we explore how mentorship fuels leadership, strengthens ministry, and helps you navigate the complexities of youth ministry with resilience and purpose.
🔔 Subscribe now and don't miss a weekly drop!
This episode explores the significance of building authentic relationships in youth ministry while challenging traditional metrics of success. T-doe shares his personal experiences, from grassroots initiatives like Fast Food Valentine's to creating psychological safety for young people, emphasizing the impact of community and connection in nurturing today's youth.
• The origin of the nickname "T-doe" and its impact on personal identity
• Importance of relationships in youth ministry and mentoring
• Fast Food Valentine's as a tradition of kindness
• Measuring success in youth ministry beyond attendance
• Creating a psychologically safe environment for youth sharing
• Tracking relationships for more meaningful engagement
• The role of community and support among youth leaders
• Check out our friends at Notebird, a tool for managing and making the most of relationships in youth ministry
🔖🐦 Notebird special! 🔖🐦
Hey podcast listeners Taylor and team wanted to offer you a special promotion! Check it out here: https://www.notebird.app/booster
You can't quite make it on your own!
This episode focuses on the essential characteristics of effective youth ministry, emphasizing the need for community, accountability, and ongoing development of leaders. Zac and guest Ian explore common roadblocks leaders face, along with practical strategies for fostering a healthy ministry environment centered on relationships.
🚨SPECIAL GUEST ALERT
Ian Dunaway
www.ShapingStudentMinistry.com
www.IanDunaway.com
Ian@g6Allies.com
💡Big Ideas
• Importance of community for youth leaders and church health
• Accountability as a tool for growth, not guilt
• Moving beyond event-driven ministry to relational connection
• Strategies for developing leaders and volunteers
• The impact of personal development on overall ministry health
If there is a ministry genie that can grant wishes then here are our 5 for 2025!
Happy New Year's episode everyone! This week we explore how to shape youth ministry in 2025, emphasizing relational connections, purposeful engagement, and the joy of community. Chad and Zac have five wishes that will guide ministries to build stronger connections with youth while incorporating fun, service, and social media.
Picture this: a repaired wise man figurine named King Christmas, hidden for joyous family fun and stories of Christmas Eve steak dinners at Longhorn. These are just a few of the festive gems shared by our guests Chris Trent, Matt Flanagan, and Todd Sanders on the Youth Industry Booster podcast. As we unwrap their cherished holiday traditions, we also explore how these customs evolve, especially with life's changes like welcoming new family members. This episode is rich with heartwarming tales that celebrate the adaptability and joy of family traditions during the holiday season.
Turning the spotlight from holiday cheer to divine callings, we dive into the inspiring journeys that led Zach, Matt, Todd, and Chris into ministry. Imagine being placed in a ministry role at just 19, or discovering your life's work through a chance introduction to church. These stories reveal the unexpected paths and profound joy that come with aligning one's personal and spiritual identities. It's a testament to the transformative power of faith and the importance of understanding one's calling in ministry work.
Balancing ministry and personal life is no small feat, and our conversation offers insights for sustaining both personal and professional growth. From the critical role of mentorship to the art of juggling family and ministry responsibilities, we emphasize the need for lifelong learning and maintaining strong relationships. We also examine the challenges of different life stages and the importance of embracing change to stay relevant. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone navigating the rewarding yet demanding world of youth ministry.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
