You’re already busy and on the front lines of youth ministry, so why go to seminary now? Denise Muir Kjesbo, Bethel Seminary’s children’s, youth, and family ministry program director, along with Heather Flies, the program’s youth ministry advisor, weigh in…
(Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Disciplemaking With Guys) One Sunday night I was late for our high school guys’ Bible study. When I came into the room, the guys were playing catch with a baseball they had made from playdough….
From Super and Duper to Good and Faithful By Jon Forrest Are you a report card person? The digital age has ruined the trauma we used to feel with a good ol’ paper report card. Do you remember how the…
We have 13 critical years to meet kids where they are—to show up in the hard places, equip parents, and biblically lead children together—so they unmistakably recognize Jesus and hold fast to Him in every situation. Kids are asking important…
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 edition of Forward magazine. From Columbine to Parkland, school shooting tragedies spread anxiety across school campuses. It’s no wonder many students are experiencing tremendous stress over fear of being the “next campus.”…
“I love Jesus, but I want to die.” Those sobering words from Sarah J. Robinson were uttered in the darkness of a depression that felt unending. Yet even in the pain, there was hope waiting to be found. In her…
This year I am celebrating my 50th year focused on teenagers and the adults important to teenagers. What a blessing it has been for the Lord to give me this ministry focused on youth for my lifetime. Yet, after a…
I have encountered very few youth workers who intentionally marginalize the gospel. Most youth workers genuinely care for students and want to help them discover God’s calling on their lives. Despite our good intentions and all the attention given to…
Whenever I’m faced with a big project, I try to approach it in pieces. I break it down into doable parts and work my way towards finishing the whole. When I heard Dr. Richard Ross speak at D6 Conference, I…
Recently I asked a group of almost 300 youth workers from across the country who primarily work with students ages 12-18 this question: “What is your biggest challenge in partnering with parents?” This was a cross section of those who…