#151: Yoyo Garcia and Youth Alive

In this episode of Pastors Unfiltered, Pastor Tony and Pastor Brandon sit down with YoYo Garcia, a U.S. missionary with Youth Alive, to talk about reaching the next generation where they are—on their school campuses. From launching over 170 campus clubs across Washington and Idaho to seeing students step into bold faith, this conversation dives into what it really looks like to empower students to share the gospel. They also unpack the reality of mental health in Gen Z, personal stories of overcoming anxiety, and why community, discipleship, and the local church matter now more than ever. This is an honest, fun, and powerful conversation about the future of the church—and why it starts with students. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro + Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered0:30 – Catching Up + Vacation Stories2:00 – Church Culture + Life Updates3:00 – AI, Tech, and Job Market Shifts4:00 – Pop Culture Talk: Survivor Recap11:45 – Introducing YoYo Garcia12:30 – First Impressions + Podcast Conversation13:00 – Youth Alive + Ministry Background15:00 – Moving to Seattle + Following the Call17:00 – What Is Youth Alive?18:00 – Launching 170+ Campus Clubs20:00 – The Vision: Reaching Students on Campus21:30 – Why This Generation Needs the Gospel23:00 – Adjusting to Seattle + Culture Differences 🔥 Key Conversation 32:50 – The Mission: 300 Campus Missionaries33:30 – Vision for Culture Change in Schools34:00 – Mental Health Stats in the Northwest35:30 – Why Anxiety Is So High in Gen Z36:00 – Personal Story: Struggling with Mental Health36:30 – The Turning Point: Community + Accountability37:00 – The Role of Therapy + Faith 🙌 Ministry & Discipleship 37:30 – Student-Led, Church-Fed Model38:30 – Why the Local Church Matters39:30 – How Youth Pastors Can Get Involved40:30 – Reaching Small Churches + Rural Areas 🎉 Fun + Closing 41:00 – Social Media + Meme Culture45:00 – Ministry Support + Fundraising Reality49:00 – Church Growth + Kingdom Impact51:00 – What YoYo Is Reading, Listening To, Watching58:50 – Final Thoughts + Encouragement