Student Ministry Podcast

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 trust, and how to lead up well.   Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Brent on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brent.squires Follow NextGen Leader Coaching on Instagram - https://instagram.com/nextgenleadercoaching  Get a copy of Leading from the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson - https://amzn.to/4mxi2sa  Get a copy of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins - https://amzn.to/4sFdNwo Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Cont

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 - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox at https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on

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 copy of the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/2026-youth-pastor-compensation-report/admin-tools/organization-10762.html  Check out all DYM's resources, events, and more - https://downloadyouthministry.com  Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox by Travis Deans - https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at

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 Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET

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 Matt Brinkley, founder of PACT Ministry and author of the books Disciple Me and Mentor Me.    Links referenced in this episode:  Enter to win one of the 10 Year Anniversary giveaways at https://bit.ly/smc10years  Check out Matt's discipleship resources at https://mentormebook.com and https://disciplemebook.com   Email Matt at matt@pactministry.org  If you'd like Matt's phone number, contact Steve via email studentministryconnection@gmail.com or social media.  Learn more about PACT Ministry at https://pactministry.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.l

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 giveaways from several youth ministry organizations, so be sure to listen to the entire episode, and enter to win before February 24, 2026.     Links referenced in this episode:  Enter to win one of the 10 Year Anniversary giveaways at https://bit.ly/smc10years  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com 

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 on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, our guest, Jody Livingston, has not only pushed through, himself, but he’s written a book on what he’s learned, and it’s fantastic.    Links referenced in this episode:  Buy Jody's book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4pUCT94  Listen to Jody's podcast and read his blog at https://thelongerhaul.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagr

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 how God might just be setting us up for something big.   Links referenced in this episode:  Listen to or watch Carey Nieuwhof's episode on 2026 church trends at https://careynieuwhof.com/episode777  Read Carey's report at http://2026churchtrends.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve

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, Travis Deans, Rick Eubanks, Ian Chrisler, Orlando Hale, and Jonny Radcliff.    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Facebook: htt

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 of the bigger hot takes focusing on the best night for youth group, the importance of camps and retreats, and if you should be preaching more or less.   Links referenced in this episode:  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Connect more with Jonny at https://jonnyradcliff.com  Follow Jonny on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jonnyrad5  Support Jonny's ministry at https://bit.ly/nnym_jradcliff  Learn more about Make it Middle School at http://makeitmiddleschool.com  Sign up to get Steve's ministry newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support Steve's ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching

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 what he thinks about outside of this podcast, this one's for you!    Links referenced in this episode:  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about PACT at http://pactministry.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: htt

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.    Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about GLS NextGen at https://glsnextgenusa.org  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: http

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 juvenile detention center, and how to come alongside teens who desperately need the hope of Jesus.     Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Orlando on Instagram - https://instagram.com/landohale  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevec

 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 speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum    Be sure to joi

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 important in the world of student ministry.     Links referenced in this episode:  Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub  Follow Ian on Instagram at https://instagram.com/irc122905  Check out Intern Academy at https://www.internacademy.net  Check out Leadership Pathway at https://www.leadershippathway.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://in

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 deeper end of ministry and talking through how to respond when tragedy strikes.     More resources: Group's Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministry - https://amzn.to/3VlB207  Processing Tragedy with Students from FYI blog - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/blog/process-tragedy-with-teenagers  Processing the Tragedy of School Shootings from FYI blog - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/blog/processing-the-tragedy-of-school-shootings  List of blog posts from Rooted - https://rootedministry.com/rooted-resources-for-parents-and-youth-pastors-school-shootings-and-grief  Dougy Center, National Grief Center for Children and Families - https://www.dougy.org    Links referenced in this episode:  See You at the Pole - h

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 God has done through student-led prayer, and discuss how your students can join what God is doing around the world.    Links referenced in this episode:  Check out the See You at the Pole website at https://syatp.com  Connect with Rick at his website, https://www.rickeubanks.org  Find more resources Rick mentioned on https://www.barrystclair.com  Visit the 9 Month Mission Trip website at https://9monthmissiontrip.com  Visit the Claim Your Campus website at https://claimyourcampus.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about

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 Thriving Youth Leader survey at bit.ly/thriving-yp-survey-2025  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum  Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum    Be sure to join us

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 school campuses.    Links referenced in this episode:  Take the Thriving Youth Leader survey at bit.ly/thriving-yp-survey-2025  Email Travis at tdeans@nnym.org  Visit the 9 Month Mission Trip website at https://9monthmissiontrip.com  Get the 9 Month Mission Trip guide at https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/9-month-mission-trip-student-guide/mission-trips/mission-trip-devotionals-9489.html  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Follow Student

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 partnerships with others, and in making disciples—students win. But too many youth leaders are burning out, dropping out, or just hanging on by a thread. That’s why we’re launching a nationwide survey to figure out what actually helps youth leaders flourish long-term—and we want to hear from you.   What we’re hoping to learn: What’s the current average tenure of a youth pastor? What factors make someone more likely to stay in youth ministry longer? Does being part of a youth leader network actually make a difference?   Whether you’re brand new to ministry or have been at it for decades, your input will help churches and ministries like National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM) better support youth pastors—so we can s