Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Today's youth need youth pastors, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and most of all, they need YOU! Youth Worker On Fire is designed to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to be the best youth worker possible. Youth Worker On Fire podcast is full of valuable information from people who work with youth on a daily basis. It is also packed with interviews with former students (years later) in their adult life and how student ministry, or the lack of it, effected their future. Many are are changing their world and the world at large because of the influence of youth workers in their adolescent years. Listen as they share their stories of mentoring and positively influencing adolescents in today's world.

200 Dr. Sarah Cooke Friend - Oncologist - Former Youth Ministry Student 04/24/2024

200 Dr. Sarah Cooke Friend - Oncologist - Former Youth Ministry Student How does an Oncologist end up on a podcast like this? Why would she take her precious time to give to us her knowledge and kindness? Great questions! Dr. Sarah Friend (formally Sarah Cooke) was a student in the youth ministry I was the pastor of. She gives great credit to my wonderful wife, Colleen, for disciplining her during high school. She talks highly of our adventurous mission trips and student ski trips. She gives her time to us, because we gave our time to her when it counted most during her teenage years. What I consistently told our volunteer staff and church was that the students we poured our life into deserved to be respected and treated as though they were world changers. I said much more about the things and leaders our students would become and Sarah is a great example of why long term commitment to student ministry in one place, for as long as God wants you there, is important and necessary. In this episode, Sarah shares about her time in student ministry, about her journey to becoming a doctor and eventually an oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer). As well as, how she approaches patients and the staff that train under her leadership. We hear about the life she and her husband Nick lead with their 2 children, their life story, and their recent trip to Japan where her husband Nick ran in the Tokyo Marathon! But most importantly, we hear the heart of one of the kindness and most caring human beings I have ever met. Whose enthusiasm for life, family and friends has been consistent since she was a little girl. Your journey is to pour Jesus and the Love of God into students, so when they grew up to be greater than you can imagine, that the Creator of the Universe and Lover of each soul ever born, has a light placed in each student that leaves your care. Thank you Sarah for shining His light in you and in the work you continue to do! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/30956618

199 Engaging with LAUGHTER! 04/17/2024

198 NICHE DOWN! External and Internal Threats 04/10/2024

198 NICHE DOWN! External and Internal Threats Organizations and churches want to save money, so they try to hire people for one thing and put too many hats on them... that way they don’t have to spend more on staff. As a result, they complain about everything, because you are doing "little to nothing" well. That responsibility lies on those who hire without the faith to believe that God wants to do more. It’s your responsibility to say “No” to everything you are not called to do. If you say yes, it will not end. You will not be able to do anything with excellence for long. So... NICHE DOWN! If you are new in a ministry, focuse for the first 2 years on what you do best. Work most with the type of staff and students that you relate most with. Focus on that type of student... such as the leadership types, art lovers, sports enthusiasts, academic thriving, technology driven, music performance, mechanical, social media aware, homeschooled, private schooled, public school. Not all of those… but one of those at least one day a week. When that works, then start being "all things" to all students, but maybe through volunteer staff who have the other personalities and leanings. Niching Down makes perfect sense. That’s how students live life and that’s how they will share their faith best. Stop trying to be the cookie cutter student ministry. Niche Down and make it personal, so that the Holy Spirit has a chance to move and multiply through your students and volunteers. The fastest way to a city wide awakening and beyond is by micro-focusing and teaching them a Great Commission Vision. Teach them about a God World View! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/30750463

197 Never Stop Praying For People with Jim Halstead of Go and Tell Ministries 04/03/2024

196 Practice To Win 03/27/2024

195 Caleb Turner - Youth Director at Factory Church 03/20/2024

194 Calling or Career 03/13/2024

193 Legacy Of A Leader 03/06/2024

193 Legacy Of A Leader Andy McDaniel... Leader... Ripple... Tsunami! What is a tsunami? A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. This force creates waves that radiate outward in all directions away from their source, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins. Andy McDaniel was born and raised in poverty in Alabama, USA (or Bama as he would say). He was 1 of 5 children. In high school, a girl he liked invited him to a Campus Life Club, which is a division of Youth For Christ. That was the first RIPPLE. This young lady had no idea that she had awakened a sleeping Giant of a Leader! She simply did the right thing. His Campus Life Director led him to Jesus and discipled him... RIPPLE #2 has now begun! Andy feels called to Campus Life Ministry with YFC and thus the ripple becomes an EARTH SHAKING event that has occurred, but no one has yet identified. He becomes a Campus Life Coordinator for Clearwater and later Orlando and that starts a quake in me (Doug) and my ministry. When a Tsunami begins it can’t help but to take everything and everyone around it with them. Executive Director, (now Andy) calls the shots in Miami, Nashville, Grand Rapids, and Miami for a second time! People he has led to Jesus and the young men and women he has trained to be leaders are all over the USA and the World. Now people not only see, but feel and know the Tsunami effect cannot be stopped. 36 years in Youth For Christ and 15 years in Moriah Ministries, Andy has done his good works that God planned in advance for him to do in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:10) His wife Valerie, his 3 children, and many grandchildren know this Tsunami of a leader well. He has now gone to heaven and waiting to see all that God has done yet to come. You are the man Andy... I love you my brother! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/30233288

192 Lenita Abouchabake - Founder of Teen Coach Academy 02/28/2024

192 Lenita Abouchabake - Founder of Teen Coach Academy is from Sydney, Australia and the Founder of . This is her second interview on the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast. Lenita's business is helping adults who already serve teenagers and their families become teen life coaches. That may seem odd to some of you, but life coaching has been around for quite a while... and this is even better! Youth workers need to make a living and they are seldom paid what they are worth. In fact, they are well undervalued in churches who should be pouring the bulk of their resources into their Youth & Family Pastors, students, and their families. Why? Because we say that students are our future, but what many unfortunately mean by this is students are our future... as long as it doesn't cost us too much. If we were to pay workers what they are worth and build a budget to support these future leaders, then we would see frequent worldwide changes in our society. Instead, with the exception of a small percentage of churches and schools worldwide, we "Hope" they will become world changers, but we are not willing to put money and action to that statement of importance. Lenita, on the other hand is willing to put her reputation, resources, and giftedness on the line. She believes youth workers, students and their parents are worth the effort and sacrifice. In this episode, Lenita will guide you how you can support yourself, so that you can afford to make a good living while serving the teens and families that you know are ready to change their world. Lenita's company (Teen Coach Academy) trains great leaders to grow up great leaders. Why? Because Lenita was a teen of a single mom who paid coaches to help her become the great woman of God, a world changing leader, and the successful business owner that she has become. Thank you for sharing Lenita (all the way from The Land Down Under) to the rest of the world! You can connect with Lenita and the Teen Coach Academy team at: You can jump into Teen Coach Academy's FREE training here: _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/30138928

191 Bible Reliability 02/21/2024

190 Children... Not For Long 02/14/2024

189 Comfort Management 02/07/2024

188 YOU MATTER 01/31/2024

188 YOU MATTER YOU MATTER… Everything You Do Counts… Everyone You Meet Is Important! You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:20 (Amplified Bible) For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. - Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible) All the above and much more is what I am talking about on this episode. God does not make mistakes and has already pre-arranged and set in motion your events and intersections with people, places and good works. Keep in mind that every person good, sad, happy, glad, mad and annoying are important. God is using them to give you opportunities. He is also giving you for them for their spiritual growth and good works. We see with human eyes. God is teaching us to see with spiritual eyes… His eyes. He wants us to act and react by His power. He is setting us up. He is setting YOU up for God Size Wins! Treat Young and Old like they are the Princes and Princesses of Heaven. Heaven’s the stage, the guardians and the audience. Heaven is lending a helping hand and cheering you on. Make No Mistake… You Count! You Matter! You Are On The Hall Of Fame List In Heaven! Heaven Knows Your Name! God Knows Your Name! Jesus Knows Your Name! The Holy Spirit knows your name and is nudging you this way and that way, strategically to line you up for world changing events and encounters that you were made for in Christ Jesus! Just Show Up… Keep Showing Up! Be Bold… Be Strong! Act with Love and Strength! “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/29723633

187 Sabbatical with Chase Allen 01/24/2024

186 11 Minutes Can Change Your Life 01/17/2024

186 11 Minutes Can Change Your Life Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. (Proverbs 15:16) Ed Sheeran (Songwriter/Artist) - “Writing music is like turning on a faucet. At first you get muddy water. The more you run it, the clearer the water gets. The same thing happens when writing music. At first the ideas are unclear, but as you keep writing the thoughts and ideas become clearer and better.” Here are a few important topics we discuss in this podcast episode: Small goals that gives you wins. Scale down your big habits or goals to small wins. Every action should be about “casting a vote” for the type of person you want to become. A few examples of the consistent habits I complete on a daily and/or weekly basis: 11 minutes in the gym during my lunch hour. 3 to 6 minute cold plunge in my pool during the winter season to prepare for upcoming cold weather events. Record a solo or interview style YWOF Podcast episode. Short consistent wins are better than long sporadic wins! People need consistency. It’s better to do something toward your goal everyday than a lot someday… “Someday” seldom comes. Confidence and encouragement comes by making steps in the right direction. What small steps or actions can you take each day that are achievable? Habits come with seasons of life. Some years your habits take different shapes. Prime your environment to make your new habit easier. Schedules matter! Sometimes you have to put things out not polished to meet deadlines and meet your goals. Creative minds usually have to create “trash” first. The creative “trash” always leads the good ideas to the surface. (1 Kings 17: 8-16) Elijah asks the woman to make him some bread… _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/29497633

185 God Chose You And Your Team 01/10/2024

184 GOD HAS A PLAN 01/03/2024

183 New Year's Resolutions: Word For The Year 12/27/2023

183 New Year's Resolutions: Word For The Year Pick your… WORD FOR THE YEAR! Yes, one word. A friend of mine has asked me and many other friends to pick their “word” for quite a few years now. What is that one word that you want to define the upcoming year? Here are a few changes you can make to go from negative talk to positive and proactive thinking: Impatient…Patient Unprepared…..Always Prepared Not Confident….Confident Transactional….Relational Doesn’t Follow Up…Follows Up Doesn’t Advertise…Advertises Doesn’t Ask For Referrals…Asks For Referrals Break the Link between… - Thought To Action: Waiting on God is also an action. Keep showing up and move forward as God keeps the doors open. Each time you think about what you are to do or want to do next… take Action again. - Stop Trying To Solve Problems That Are Made Up In Your Mind And Not Real: Stop being your own worst enemy. Start being your own best cheerleader. People need a leader who knows where he or she is going. Confident, but not arrogant. Strong, but not angry… confident. - It’s Ok To Be Upset And/Or Depressed: It’s not ok to stop doing what you are suppose to do. If you have those negative and painful emotions, you still need to do anyway. - Your Mind Hears What You Say: It’s meant to protect you and serve you. If you say “this hurts too much” or “I hate this”, your mind will try to protect you and help you quit. Its job is to protect you. If you tell your mind, “I can get through this pain. I need to be strong enough to be tougher than the pain, because the pain is there to make me stronger.” Jesus said it,” if we tell a mountain to move it will move if we do not doubt.” God made our minds to work for us. Not against us. Will the cost of reaching the goal or goals be worth the pain and possible destruction on the way? Make sure your goals are in alignment with God and the scripture. Will you be able to keep your character in check? When Jesus commands His disciples to go to the people of Israel announcing that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 10:7), He gives them a warning and some advice: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16) There will never be a perfect time to give, serve, lead, guide, or love. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/29233943

182 Fundraising... Blessing or Nightmare? 12/20/2023

182 Fundraising... Blessing or Nightmare? Fundraising… Blessing or Nightmare? (Answer: They can be both.) Usually you are either a good at: Ministering to people or 2. Fundraising (Occasionally some are both.) But it doesn’t matter. It’s not about you, it’s about God. It’s about you transferring your knowledge and your abilities to others. When you’re not good at something, then you find somebody else that is. We often say if we show by example and do it, all the people will follow our example of doing. Most of the time that’s not true. You must do a little show a lot and handed over. What we want to do is rescue people when they start failing. All that means is now we are discouraging them to think that we are better than them and that we will have to rescue them… and guess what? They’ll let you. You need to help them find a way to win, but never win for them. That’s what Jesus did for his disciples. He did not win for them (and at times they were frustrated), so He would say… do it this way. Do you believe God has placed you in the most important ministry that the church has to offer? Best Fundraisers EVER: The ones your student’s parents are running… Not you! My biggest fails were the fundraisers I ran. Why? Because it shows me as an incompetent leader! You and I are there to lead, inspire, and teach… not to do what other people are suppose to be doing. Allow them to use their gifts. The ones that take no time and effort away from your ministry. The ones that will make $5k, $10k or $50k. No show Banquets, setting up fundraising meetings with people who already believe in the program and ask them to donate to a specific trip, retreat, discipleship weekend, conference, etc. (Mission trips are separate from this, they usually sell themselves if you do the right things). These can be short meetings or long depending if the individual or couple wants to talk longer. Be respectful of the person’s time. The best ones repeat each year. Ask… Seek… Knock 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Always pray and ask God for His guidance in raising the funds needed. If the project doesn’t excite you it won’t excite others. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/29155493

181 Ian's Story with Chuck Mingonet 12/13/2023

181 Ian's Story with Chuck Mingonet This episode is an episode unto itself, but came out of an original interview with Chuck Mingonet (Episode 101, Navy Jet Pilot and Commander). Chuck and his wife have two children. Their daughter and her husband, became missionaries based in Spain. Ian their son (Chuck’s grandson), became ill while on the mission field with a brain tumor that was known to be fatal. The family came back to the USA for treatment. In the process, they were told that Ian would not have long to live… But Ian comes from a genetic and spiritual background of warriors, nationally, and spiritually. So at a young age, Ian learned to be a warrior. Ian asked to go back to the mission field in Spain, so he could share Jesus with his soccer team and church. After a discussion between Ian’s parents, grandparents, and doctors, the decision was “If this is what Ian wants to do, he has the green light from his doctors to go.” And so they went! This episode is about being able to change peoples lives, no matter how young or old you are. Ian has made an impact on his friends, his family… (and with this podcast) the world! Because even though Ian’s life was ending, he wanted to make sure that his friends would meet up again in heaven. We hope this story is inspiring to you as youth workers, parents, grandparents, and just people in general. No matter our size, shape, or age… God has created good works for us to do in Christ Jesus, which he created in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) We hope this episode helps you to see the value of pouring God‘s love into adolescence, as well as, children before they reach that time of their life. We have no idea who God‘s going to use to change people all around this world or what circumstances will give them that platform to speak from. You are amazing people, so let God use you in amazing ways today! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/29048868

180 Keep Showing Up 12/06/2023

179 OVERNIGHT SUCCESS 11/29/2023

178 Matt Ferguson - CIO at Storyland Studios & PlainJoe 11/22/2023

177 Environments Matter 11/15/2023

177 Environments Matter Environments your students, parents and volunteer staff drive into, walk into, and engage others with… It sets the mood and the tone for learning and caring. All student Ministries are not made or created equal. All students are not made for all student ministries. Both students and student ministries have their own personalities, dispositions, and characteristics. Set the pace! Who are you wanting the personality and character of your student ministry (or other organization) to be? What do you want regular and new students to feel when they walk in and when they leave those small and large group meetings? This can apply to your family, business, and volunteer groups. It works with non Christian groups as well as Christian ministry groups. A few tips to inspire your environment: Visit the best student ministries in several counties or beyond and take notes on what you felt and how to adapt that to your groups. Go to concerts that students love, Christian and secular. What are they responding to and what leaves them disinterested? Theme parks that students love. You can't duplicate, but you can bring that 1 element that will bring an atmosphere of warmth and energy. The above is for your main meeting. Things I could not bring back or buy I had great craftsmen from our church create for very little money. We let students add their touches and ideas and we would incorporate as much as possible so that they had ownership. What initial small changes can you make in the places you meet with students and staff now? What changes say, “We love you and care about you… we believe you deserve our best!” _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/28641573

176 I'M A MESS BUT DIFFERENT IS GOOD 11/08/2023

175 CONFIDENTIAL 11/01/2023

174 Ferrari Love! No Aftermarket Parts 10/25/2023

173 Rick Eldridge - Movie Producer - Screenwriter - Film Director 10/18/2023

172 It's The SMALLS That MATTER 10/11/2023

171 Heaven Knows Your Name 10/04/2023

171 Heaven Knows Your Name You are not alone… So give your best to your family and give your best to your ministry! Episode Scripture Reference: Psalm 139 :1-18 Heaven knows your name and so does your family and friends. Give your best to both worlds, because God is there to help you succeed in your family and ministry. So with this in perspective, when you are in a tough place… with your church, board members, parents, students, senior pastors, or even your own family, there is one thing that you must keep in perspective… WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? You work for God! Not arrogantly, but confidently. God put you on this road of ministry and He will keep you there. Stay confident that you are not subservient to your other pastors or board members. That your calling is as high a calling as all the rest…if they aren’t on that same page with you, then are you sure God has called you there? If you aren’t sure that God has brought you to this place in ministry then…find another place or vocation. Sounds harsh, but don’t waste your time where you are not suppose to be. Your war is not with those people, your war is with the true enemies called principalities and powers, not flesh and blood. Heaven already knows your name and they are cheering you on! So, ask God to give you power and wisdom. Leadership isn’t always fun. Most of the time it’s pure WORK! The more people you lead… unfortunately, the better chances you have for people to be upset or angry with you. In order to thrive, you must know that you belong to God and that you are a leader in His army. That means His authority and power are at your access. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world…” That means we have weapons at our command to fight! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “” here: Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by : Listen to more at Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : Edited by: Secret Roots Music House /episode/index/show/youthworkeronfire/id/28135154

Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

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