First a Follower Podcast

Cory is joined by Fuller Youth Institute's Brad Griffin and YFC USA's Dr. Jessi Sigander to discuss what's important to Generation Alpha and how we can engage with them on the topic of faith. Brad Griffin is the Senior Director of Content & Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based resources for youth ministry leaders & families. A speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor, Brad is the coauthor of over fifteen books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, and Sticky Faith. Download the FYI Report on Gen Alpha and Faith: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/gen-alpha Dr. Jessi Sigander is an educator, leadership developer, and lifelong learner. With over 20 years of experience in education, training, and supporting neurodivergent learners, she is passionate about helping people grow into who they’re called to be. She currently serves as the national Director of Leader Formation for Youth For Christ USA, where she equips and develops leaders across the country. Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brad Griffin - @bgriffinfyi⁠⁠Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Cory chats with author and pastor Dr. Derwin Gray and YFC USA's COO Ali King about unity in the body of Christ live at YFC USA's National Leadership Conference (NLC) in January of 2026. Dr. Gray (https://www.derwinlgray.com/) is the co-founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation church, a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community, just outside of Charlotte, NC. He is also the author of several books including his newest release, "Lit up with Love."Ali King became the Youth For Christ USA Chief Operating Officer in 2021, after serving 10 years as the Executive Director for YFC’s chapter in Indianapolis, and has also held the positions of Campus Life Director, Ministry Director, and National Middle School Campus Life Director during her 30-year ministry journey with YFC. Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Derwin Gray - @derwinlgrayYouth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Cory chats with author and pastor Drew Hyun, and Miami/Broward Youth For Christ staff member Angel Terrero about Emotionally Healthy Spirituality live at YFC USA's National Leadership Conference (NLC) in January of 2026. Drew Hyun is the founder and lead pastor of Hope Church NYC (https://www.hopechurchnyc.org/), a diverse church with three locations in New York City. He is also the Executive Director of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship (https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/), an organization that aims to transform church culture through the multiplication of deeply changed pastors and leaders. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div), and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin). Angel Terrero works with Miami/Broward Youth For Christ, serving in the Juvenile Justice Ministry. Angel himself was an incarcerated youth and heard the Gospel from a YFC staff person and now, is an ordained minister and licensed mental health counselor along with his ministry work in YFC. Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Hyun - @drewhyunAngel Terrero - @_angelterrero_Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Cory chats with author and apologist Lisa Fields and Central Minnesota YFC Ministry Director Matt Hebert on the nuances of apologetics live at YFC USA's National Leadership Conference (NLC) in January of 2026. Lisa Fields (https://lisavfields.com/) is the founder and CEO of Jude 3 Project (https://jude3project.org/), producer of two documentaries: "Unspoken," and "Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom," as well as the author of "When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe and What We Experience" and the 2026 release, "When Heroes Fall: Healing from the Aftermath of Sin"Matt Hebert has served in a variety of ministry roles over 30 years—from camp counselor and adventure guide to event speaker, to professional artist, to youth pastor, to ministry director, Matt speaks, writes, creates, and teaches on God’s goodness, the value of people, mission in community, adventure, and creativity.Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠⁠Lisa Fields - ⁠@lisavfieldsYouth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

What does it mean to be "First a Follower" and why did we pick that name for this podcast? Nina Edwards came up with it, so let's ask her! We also have youth ministry legend, Lynn Ziegenfuss, joining us to unpack why abiding is not only incredibly important, but crucial to thriving in ministry.Nina Edwards has served in Youth for Christ For almost 38 years, both as part of a local chapter and YFC USA the National Service Center, currently serving on the Leader Formation team. With years of experience in developing and empowering leaders, Nina has come to love equipping people and creating spaces for people to encounter Jesus in fresh ways. Nina is also trained in walking with people through grief and has learned much about the grace of God in watching people integrate loss into their lives. Lynn Ziegenfuss is a leadership development and spiritual formation specialist. Her passion is to encourage, equip and empower followers of Jesus to move toward spiritual maturity, emotional wholeness and Kingdom effectiveness.   Lynn is a 40-year veteran leader of Youth For Christ, having served as a Campus Life Director, an Executive Director, as the National Training Director and VP of Leadership Development. After a time away, she returned to YFC part time to the role of Missionary Care and trainer/consultant in spiritual formation.   Currently, Lynn serves as a consultant with the Looper Foundation overseeing grants focused on formation, soul care and discipleship. One of the best ways Lynn gets to live into her passion now is as a spiritual director and by serving on the Christian Formation and Direction Ministry faculty to train others in spiritual formation and direction. Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠Nina Edwards - ⁠@nje64Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Cory Huffman, Megan Packard and Chip Pierce discuss what they are noticing about the mental health of youth ministry leaders and the young people they encounter. They share challenges faced by different generations in working with today's youth and how people of any age can best come alongside young people by slowing down and paying attention to their own mental health as a leader. Megan Packard holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University and a graduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Georgia. She is certified in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)® and has spent the past nine years serving with Northern Colorado Youth for Christ, during which time she developed and launched Rebalance, a program designed to support growth, connection, and resilience in young people through intentional, relationship-centered practices. To learn more about the Rebalance program visit: ⁠https://coloradorebalance.com/Chip Pierce currently works with the Leader Formation team at the YFC USA National Service Center and also worked with Metro Maryland Youth for Christ for over 28 years as a Campus Life Director and Chief Ministry Officer.  He has a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor for almost 14 years before working with YFC. Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - @yfcusa⁠⁠Cory Huffman - @chuffman57⁠⁠Chip Pierce - @ctpcoach⁠Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Cory Huffman chats with Author, Professor, and Pastor, Dr. A.J. Swoboda, and Youth For Christ USA President, Jake Bland, about what it looks like to be teachable as followers of Christ, touching on topics raised in Dr. Swoboda's new book: "A Teachable Spirit: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone."Visit https://ajswoboda.com/ to subscribe to A.J.'s writings and purchase his books.Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - @yfcusaCory Huffman - @chuffman57Jake Bland - ⁠⁠@jacobdbland⁠Dr. A.J. Swoboda - @a.j.swoboda⁠Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net

Check out this teaser to learn more about our new podcast and get excited for our first episode dropping on January 30th, 2026.  Hear from the show's host Cory Huffman as he connects with YFC USA President, Jake Bland to hear why he is excited about the new show!Youth For Christ USA's First a Follower Podcast aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities youth ministry leaders face today. We aim to provide practical guidance, relevant resources, and support for the spiritual formation of youth leaders, as they navigate the complexities of reaching and discipling the next generation.Follow us on Instagram:Youth For Christ USA - ⁠⁠⁠@yfcusa⁠⁠⁠⁠Cory Huffman - ⁠⁠@chuffman57⁠⁠⁠Jake Bland - ⁠⁠@jacobdbland⁠⁠Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.Permission requests may be directed to:Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155https://www.yfc.net