Joey Anderson - Gold Star Youth Ministries

Joey, a student at Moody Bible Institute and youth leader, opens up about his journey into ministry and his calling to serve children who have lost a parent in military or first responder service. Together, Jay and Joey talk about faith, trauma, and the difficult questions Gold Star kids often face — including why bad things happen to good people. Inspired by their experience filming an Operation Healing Heroes episode with a Gold Star family, Jay and Joey discuss their vision for Gold Star Youth Ministries, a new nonprofit focused on providing one-on-one support, group sessions, retreats, and faith-based resources for children and families navigating profound loss. This honest conversation explores healing through faith, meeting people where they are, and creating a safe space for young hearts struggling with grief, anger, and uncertainty. It’s a powerful reminder that healing looks different for everyone — and that hope can begin with simply being heard.