We know we want to have our students living a life on mission. Yet, oftentimes, we find ourselves providing “one-off” trips that create Instagram memories and some great stories…but little more. So, how do we create lasting opportunities that call students to “live on mission” far beyond the specific mission trip? Corey Watson will dig a little deeper in this three-lesson module and explore that answers to that question.

Could disruption and doubt be gifts of the Spirit that move us (and the students we work with) beyond our comfortable categories and into a wild and holy trek taking us “further up” and “further in”? Could the desperation so many churches and youth workers feel about their future and the uncontrolled velocity of our culture be the ants in the pants the church needs to move us beyond a Gospel that has been reduced to showing up for meetings and not causing a stir? In part one of this three-part module, author Brock Morgan tackles the consistent elements of yesterday and today, like character development, individuation, and doubt; but he invites all of us along as the capital-C “Church” into greater collaboration as we partner with students to creatively form the ministry of tomorrow. You’ll find yourself encouraged by how you are practicing youth ministry and challenged to think differently, so you don’t hold on too tightly.

Youth ministry is truly an incredible calling, but unfortunately, it is not void of its times of struggle and disappointment. In fact, serving as a youth worker seems to come with some struggles and disappointments that are uniquely its own. So, what are we supposed to do when things don’t go as planned? How are we supposed to respond when we start to wonder if all this work and effort are returning void? How do we keep moving forward in our service to the Lord through youth ministry when we feel like we are walking through thick mud? I don’t have all the answers, but I do want to share some thoughts and four things that have helped me navigate my own encounters with disappointment over the years. My hope is that if you are struggling right now, something in this video reminds you of who you are, whose you are, and that what you do matters.

Over the years, there has been one particular student ministry event that has excited my students more than most and blown away my expectations each and every time. Not to mention that it’s proven to be a winner regardless of the size of the youth ministry I’ve been a part of or the ministry’s typical participation rate. Curious? Well, that event is a silent disco...in particular, a glow night silent disco. Sound fun? That’s because it is! So, let me walk you through all the ins and outs of hosting your own glow night silent disco for your ministry.

Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part one of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you the pros of utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part two of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you the cons of utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part three of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you some ways to create engaging content while utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

The students of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are seeking to belong before they believe. As youth workers, we can either fight against that felt need or come up with creative ways to meet a student’s need and desire for belonging. It starts with asking a simple question: What are some concrete ways that I (and those who serve alongside me) can help teenagers find belonging within our youth ministries? From there, it’s honestly a mix of creativity and trial/error. In this video, I want to act as a catalyst for your imagination as you seek to answer this question in your ministry by sharing three ways our ministry does to foster unity and belonging.

When you think about your students and student ministry, here are two questions I’d like you to consider: 1) What are you doing to help teenagers take more ownership and be more active or engaged during your small group experience? 2) Instead of allowing students to be passive participants in this formative time, what can you do or dream up that could give them regular opportunities to be discipled and grow in their faith in practical ways? Now, I don’t claim to have it all figured out, but we have created and implemented an idea in our student ministry that seems to be effectively answering these two questions. That’s why I want to share this idea for you to use in our own ministry or to serve as inspiration to try something different to move your students from “renters” to “owners” of your student ministry.

Summer is the time for cookouts, mission trips, pool parties, camps, retreats, and so much more. But what if you decided to take advantage of the change in your typical youth ministry rhythm and pace that summer provides and use it to pour into your ministry’s leaders this summer? In this video, I want to offer you a look into our student ministry and share with you three tips we put into practice every summer to be more intentional about leveling up our ministry leaders.

We admire their athletic ability, but some world athletes are also great at other things. Guess between two options and learn what these Olympians do when they aren’t competing. Pick between two styles of game play, and go for the gold!

“If the Lord Jesus Christ died and rose again so that I could be saved, He does for the Huaorani too. Whenever my husband would be afraid, I would hear him say ‘He is not fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.’”

 He is No Fool is a fictional retelling of the events following the martyrdom of missionaries Jim Elliot and Nate Saint. Following their death, a reporter visited the missionary’s wives in Ecuador to tell the story. Through this story, we hear historically accurate details of the mission work to evangelize the Huaorani tribe, as Elizabeth Elliot and Marjorie Saint express their devotion to the Lord and their love for the Huaorani tribe. 

• By: Jonathan Skaggs
• Length: Approximately 8 minutes
• Actor Needs: 3 Actors (1 male, 2 female)
• Theme Verses: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Matthew 5:44
• Downloadable PDF

“He looked down and saw me…I mean really saw me. I was healed, He had healed me. The leprosy was gone and with it, the years of shame and isolation.”

 He Saw Me is a combination of three Biblical characters woven together: The woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, and the leper. Amid their loneliness and pain, Jesus entered their story and saw them for who they were, and who they could become! Students will learn of the power and love of Jesus as He sees us all, no matter where we find ourselves. 

• By: Jonathan Skaggs
• Length: Approximately 8 minutes
• Actor Needs: Three Actors (1 male, 2 female)
• Theme Verses: John 4:4-30, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 5:12-16
• Downloadable PDF

“Sometimes we have to lay down what we think is right for us right now, in favor of what God knows is best for us, in the future.”

Using a video game as an illustration for life, Pause is a comedic and heart-warming look at teenage relationships and how to deal with disappointment and failure. Sometimes life seems easy and everything goes the ‘right’ way, other times, it doesn’t. No matter what we face, there are moments when we need to pause and find where God is working in our lives and follow Him, even when that means surrendering things that we want or love. Only in true surrender do we find the direction and purpose that we seek. 

• By: Brian Hill
• Length: Approximately 6 minutes
• Actor Needs: Three Actors 
• Theme Verses: Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 40:28-31
• Downloadable PDF

“When there are things of this earth you hold on to so tightly and can’t surrender, run to me. For I am your hope. My name is Abba.”

Run To Me is a spoken word drama that reminds us of the character of God and His power in our lives. The actors share Scripture describing the character and nature of God through the many names of God listed in Scripture. In the end, students are reminded that God is an ever-present hope in their life as they surrender all of who they are to Him. 

• By: Brian Hill
• Length: Approximately 6 minutes
• Actor Needs: 3 Actors (can be performed with more if desired)
• Theme Verse: Psalm 71
• Downloadable PDF

Sure, you know the films and shows, but do you know the schools in them? Welcome to "Famous Schools" – a game of famous hallways and exteriors that takes you back to the iconic sets of TV and movie fame! From Bayside High in "Saved by the Bell" to the often-used high school in John Hughes classics, this game tests your knowledge of the most famous schools in entertainment history. Players will split into teams, race to read each clue, and guess the correct answer before the other team. Score 1000 points for every right answer and watch out—lose 500 points for each wrong one! It's fast-paced, fun, and packed with nostalgia. Who will graduate at the top of the class?

Living up the expectations of others is often an impossible task. After work one evening, two students talk about image, perfectionism, and being honest with others about who they are on the inside, despite what they show on the outside. Through their brief interaction, they learn that letting God, and others, into our lives brings freedom. 

Length: 4:16 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

A modern retelling of the beatitudes, Blessed Are You is a love letter from God reminding us, His children, that we have the opportunity to live in the freedom of His love when we live life His way. Despite challenges, fears, doubts, and mistakes, when we live His way we realize it’s best way. And the results, they’ll blow your mind. 

Length: 3:45 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

God has much in store for you. Don’t miss all that He can and will do in your life if you fully surrender. Told through spoken word poetry, this video is designed to challenge you to embrace the moments where God can move in your heart and life. 

Length: 3:16 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

The human eye is complex and mysterious and powerful, but it has limits. Our human sight cannot compare to the vision of God as He looks down on His beautiful creation. In the good, the bad, and everything in between, He sees you. He knows you. He calls you. You are the focus of His love. 

Length: 4:01 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

A satirical guide to help you talk to a guy. 

Length: 2:24 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

We all know about the ‘5 second rule.’ But what really happens when food is on the floor past 5 seconds? Find out through the story of Charlie. 

Length: 2:55 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Using iconic smells from the Bible, J-Spray will help you focus more on God by repelling those who might distract you from Him! Spray it on yourself, spray it on others, the impact is just the same!

Length: 2:35 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Life can change in an unexpected moment. Eli suffered a traumatic brain injury as an 8th grader. In a coma for multiple weeks, Eli’s family prayed and watched God perform miracle after miracle, surprising even the medical team. Through God’s power and strength, Eli continues to improve and recover and rely on God to help him navigate life years after the injury. 

Length: 6:41 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4