PODCAST · religion
Student Ministry Connection
by Steve Cullum
For those who serve in student / youth ministry, want to connect, and desire to grow. Hosted by Steve Cullum.
Episodes
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195: Tips for Partnering with Parents
We often talk about how parents are the primary spiritual leaders in their homes, and we need to partner with them, but what does that actually look like? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve provides 5 quick tips for partnering with parents. Links referenced in this episode…
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194: Including Students & Leaders with Disabilities with Don Talley
How are we ministering to teenagers and volunteers who have chronic illnesses and disabilities? Maybe you are someone who has been diagnosed with a disability, and that’s been a struggle for you as you lead. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Don Talley of Access…
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193: How to Leave Well
How do we leave our ministry positions well? Whether it's our choice or not, there are some things that we can do to leave well and communicate well. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some tips he's learned from his own experience and from others he has witnessed. Links...
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192: Navigating Christian College with Denise Cunningham
Why is it so important that we raise up the next generation of leaders? And where do we send them to further their training, especially when the process of sorting through schools can be so overwhelming. And how do we even afford Christian higher education anyway? On this episode of Student...
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191: The Comparison Game
The comparison game is real, and it's hard to avoid, even popping up in places we don't expect it. On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some simple yet profound advice another pastor gave him that really impacted his outlook on ministry, especially when he was just...
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190: Developing Leaders with Doug Franklin
How can we get more volunteers, set them up for success, do student leadership well, and keep ourselves from burning out? What should we be focusing on as we develop leaders and build a ministry for longterm impact? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Doug Franklin...
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189: Symphony of Prayer
What if we not only encouraged our students to pray, but we got our churches and networks to join in praying for the next generation, especially at the beginning of a new school year? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares about National Network of Youth Ministries' Symphony...
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188: The Power of Praying Students with Aubrie Kimbrough
What could happen if we encourage students to pray for their local schools, and they actually do it? Could we see fighting stop, grades go up, and God move among the students, teachers, and faculty? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Aubrie Kimbrough from Claim Your...
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187: How to Get Connected
Did you know we were never meant to do ministry alone? And yet so many leaders do. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares all about National Network of Youth Ministries and provides a simple way you can partner with others to make a greater united impact on the next...
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186: Victory Beyond the Cup with Heather Reddy
What could happen if we were really intentional with outreach and evangelism, especially around one of the biggest world events, like the World Cup? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Heather Reddy about her own soccer experience and how that eventually led her to…
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185: What to Do When You're New
What do you do when you’re just starting a new student ministry? What should you focus on? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares 10 tips on how to start well at a new ministry, whether you’re in your very first ministry or you’re about to start at your 10th church. And if...
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184: Student Ministry Staffing with Todd Rhoades
What do we need to know about student ministry staffing in 2026? What do we need to pay attention to? What can we do to improve it? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Todd Rhoades of Chemistry Staffing about his recent research and what we can learn from it. Links...
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183: Shepherding the Teenage Mind with Tomy Cummins
What role does mental health play in ministry, and how can we create safe spaces for open conversations grounded in faith? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks to student ministry veteran and author of Shepherds of the Mind, Tomy Cummins, about mental health. Tomy shares…
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182: How to Win with Your Boss with Brent Squires
How do we win with our boss or supervisor? No matter where we are serving, we all have a someone who is tasked to supervise us and help us lead better and achieve our goals. And on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Brent Squires on what mistakes to avoid, how to build...
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181: Leading Through Programming Changes
How do you go about making changes in your programming? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some tips he's learned over the years on how to lead change well, specifically in programming. Links referenced in this episode: Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub…
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180: Youth Pastor Compensation Update 2026 with Josh Boldman
What’s the average salary of a youth pastor, and how do you go about getting a raise? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Josh Boldman, CEO of Download Youth Ministry, about the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report and more. Links referenced in this episode: Get your...
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179: Finding Your Voice
What’s the one thing that can take your speaking and teaching to the next level? That’s what we’re talking about on this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection. Links referenced in this episode: Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub Learn more about...
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178: Why Discipleship is Important with Matt Brinkley
We often throw around the word discipleship within student ministry, but what does it actually mean, and how can we not only make sure we are discipling students well but that we are experiencing it ourselves? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks all about discipleship with...
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177: Celebrating 10 Years of Student Ministry Connection
What happens when God takes a simple idea of wanting to talk to other leaders in student ministry and turns it into an entire ministry? On this episode, we’re celebrating 10 years of Student Ministry Connection with a trip down memory lane from Steve and some of you. We also announce some amazing...
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176: Staying Power with Jody Livingston
Student Ministry is tough sometimes, and there are a lot of reason why you’ve probably thought about leaving, but there are also many more reasons why you should stay. So how do we stay? What are the things we need to focus on in order to stick around for the long haul? Well, get ready, because…
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175: The Future of Student Ministry
Where is student ministry going in the future? What are the trends we need to be paying attention to in our churches, and what should we be doing with the research we’re seeing? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re kicking off 2026 focusing on the future of student ministry and…
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174: Highlights from 2025 Guests
The last 12 months of this podcast have been so great, especially all of our guests, so on this year-end episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re highlighting each of our 12 guests from 2025: Derry Prenkert, Ashley Bohinc, Mike McGarry, Dan Lynch, Dr. Ken Castor, Mike Hicks, Krista McBroom,...
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173: Student Ministry Hot Takes with Jonny Radcliff
It seems like everywhere we turn, everyone’s got a hot take, even in the world of student ministry. And we're not talking about what's the best pizza topping (it's definitely not pineapple, by the way). On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve is joined by Jonny Radcliff to tackle 3…
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172: Ministry Update 2025
It's time for a ministry update! On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares what God has been doing recently and provides some insight on the future of student ministry based on what we're seeing and on recent research. If you've been wondering about what Steve has been up to or...
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171: Seek First to Understand
How do we engage with people who are different than us, come from different backgrounds than us, and have a different worldview or perspective than us? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares a very simple yet powerful idea that can take your leadership to the next level.…
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170: Ministering to Incarcerated Teens with Orlando Hale
Every teenager has a story, and some of those stories are partially written behind bars. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Orlando Hale about how to step into difficult places to minister to teenagers who are incarcerated, how to get involved with your local…
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169: Working with Disruptive Students
How do we handle students who are disrupting and being disrespectful? On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection. Steve shares a few tips and some things to keep in mind when working with the more difficult students in your ministry. Links referenced in this episode: Find your next...
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168: Why Internships Matter with Ian Chrisler
How can internships help train the next generation of student ministry leaders? Or if you are new to student ministry, why should you seek out an internship or residency? On this episode, Steve talks with one of his former students, Ian Chrisler, about his internship experience and why it is so...
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167: When Tragedy Strikes
What do we do when a tragedy happens in our world, country, or community, especially when it comes to our youth group? How should we respond? What do we do with our program? And how do we help students and families through it? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re diving into the...
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166: See You at the Pole with Rick Eubanks
How can the simple act of students praying for their school ignite not only changes within their school but also a global movement of prayer for over 35 years? On this episode, Steve is joined by Rick Eubanks to talk about the history of See You at the Pole, hear some amazing stories about what…
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165: Cell Phones in Youth Group
What do we do about cell phones in youth group? Whether you believe they have their place or they should be put away the entire time, Steve shares some tips on both sides of the argument and reminds us to look beyond the phone issue when interacting with students. Important links: Take the…
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164: From Summer Camp to School Campuses with Travis Deans
How can we leverage all the amazing things that our students experience at summer camps and mission trips for the entire school year, helping students continue to grow in their faith and share it with their friends? Travis Deans returns to talk with Steve about moving from summer camp to the…
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BONUS: Youth Leaders, I need your help!
Hey, youth leaders! I’m working on a nation-wide research project, and I’d love your help! We’re trying to answer this big question: What helps youth pastors thrive and stick around longer in ministry? We deeply believe that when a youth leader thrives—in their relationship with God, in healthy...
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163: Discipleship Beyond the Program
What if discipleship isn’t just about your weekly youth night? What if the real growth actually happens outside of your program? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks about what it means to disciple students beyond the structure—and how summer and back-to-school season give…
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162: Discipling Teen Girls with Krista McBroom
What does it look like to disciple teen girls well—and how can youth leaders do that in a healthy, intentional way? On this episode, Steve talks with Krista McBroom, who is passionate about making girls’ ministry a vital part of every student ministry, and she’s ready to help your church create...
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161: Discipleship with 3 Questions
We all know that discipleship is important, but what does it look like with a teenager? And how can we also make sure our teams and even ourselves are growing as disciples? Maybe it's as simple as 3 questions. Links referenced in this episode: Learn more about Footprints on Campus by visiting...
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160: Supporting Teachers as Youth Leaders with Mike Hicks
What if we began seeing school teachers as youth leaders on the mission field of the public school? How could we support them, equip them, and empower them as the church? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Mike Hicks of Christian Educators and Lift America about all...
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159: Experimenting On the Margins
Want to try new ideas in your ministry without blowing up your program? In this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’re talking about a simple way to test fresh ideas while keeping your core ministry strong. Links referenced in this episode: Purchase a copy of Growing Young on Amazon…
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158: Bible Engagement with Dr. Ken Castor
What if your students actually wanted to read the Bible—and understood it when they did? On this episode, Steve talks with student ministry veteran Dr. Ken Castor about how we can help teenagers engage Scripture in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and life-changing. From writing a year-long...
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157: What's in a Ministry Name?
Does every ministry need a catchy name? Should it match your church’s branding—or stand out on its own? And what if your youth group’s name already sounds like a dozen others? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we’ll break down six essential questions to ask before naming—or...
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156: Collaborating for Bigger Impact with Dan Lynch
Ever wondered how collaboration among churches can create a powerful outreach opportunity? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Dan Lynch about his faith journey and his experience guiding about 50 churches that collaborate every year for camp. They talk about what it...
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155: Planning Ahead for Mission Trips
Mission trips can be life changing for students, but if they're not planned well, they can be disastrous. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve breaks down 3 crucial areas to focus on to set up our trips for the biggest impact. Links referenced in this episode: Save $25 off your...
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154: Why Attend Conferences?
On this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection, we're talking about one thing you can do to both connect with others and grow in your ministry: conferences. Steve shares 3 reasons why they're important where you can find them. Links referenced in this episode: Steve's list of youth leader...
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153: Theology of Fun and Games with Mike McGarry
Games in student ministry—some love them, some avoid them, but could they actually be a key tool for deeper discipleship? On this episode, Steve talks with Mike McGarry about the theology of fun and games—why they matter, how they can open the door to meaningful conversations, and how to use them...
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152: Make it Middle School with Ashley Bohinc
Middle schoolers are full of energy, questions, and chaos—but they’re also at one of the most pivotal moments in their faith journey. So how can we better connect with them and create a ministry that truly meets them where they are? My guest today has dedicated her life and ministry to helping...
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151: Unlocking Ministry Potential with Derry Prenkert
What if you could unlock a deeper understanding of how you work best in ministry? What if a simple tool could help you and your team thrive instead of just survive? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with veteran youth pastor and ministry coach Derry Prenkert about the...
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150: Getting Students to Return
How do we keep students coming back to our ministry and our programs? What's going to help us open that front door really wide, but close that back door so that they don't escape and never experience the Christian community that we're creating in our student ministries? Well, that's exactly what...
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149: Growing a Student Ministry
How do you grow a youth group? And what does that even mean? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve digs into what growth should look like and how we can shift our priorities to get there. It starts by shifting our focus away from program growth to growing students and the Kingdom…
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148: Highlights from 2024 Guests
We had some great guests in 2024, so on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we highlight some of the best moments from this year, including topics like: youth pastor compensation, empowering teenagers, anxiety, being fired, helping kids enter our student ministry, keeping students...
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147: When to Stay or Go with Todd Pearage
When do you know it’s time to move on from either a specific church or from student ministry altogether? This is a question we’ve all asked at some point, which is why we’re talking about it on this episode of Student Ministry Connection. Todd Pearage joins Steve to discuss some practical things…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
For those who serve in student / youth ministry, want to connect, and desire to grow. Hosted by Steve Cullum.
HOSTED BY
Steve Cullum
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Student Ministry Connection have?
Student Ministry Connection currently has 197 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Student Ministry Connection about?
For those who serve in student / youth ministry, want to connect, and desire to grow. Hosted by Steve Cullum.
How often does Student Ministry Connection release new episodes?
Student Ministry Connection publishes regularly with 197 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Student Ministry Connection?
You can listen to Student Ministry Connection on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Student Ministry Connection?
Student Ministry Connection is created and hosted by Steve Cullum.
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