In this special episode, we interview Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, who served LCMS Youth Ministry for many years. His stories help give us some wisdom and perspective about youth ministry. Bio: Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer had a distinguishing career serving the church. He served as a Lutheran high school teacher, parish pastor, poet, song and hymn writer, an…

We believe every young person should have at least five Christian supportive adults in their lives. DCE Hailey Jo Miller comes on the podcast to talk about how she engages and encourages supportive adults in her youth ministry. Bio: Hailey Jo is the Director of Student Ministry at Memorial Lutheran Church. She's served in ministry for 13 years and …

As we dive into the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Angela Kollbaum to talk about what it means to have warmth, challenge, and grace. Bio: Angela Kollbaum, DCE, PLMHP is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) and Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) in the state of Nebraska with Lu…

Mark and Julianna kick off a series that goes through each of the seven practices of youth ministry. But before they do, let’s take a second to remember how we got these practices to begin with and what they are designed to do. Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry avaliable at CPH: https://www.cph.org/seven-practices-of-healthy-youth-ministry?…

The Gathering is more than five days. One of the ways we hope that groups come together is in pre-Gathering Bible studies. Pastor Doug Bender and DCE AJ Vega, members of the Gathering Bible Study Team, join us to talk about the themes and values of pre-Gathering Bible studies. Bios: Pastor Doug Bender serves as an associate pastor at Immanuel Luthe…

It is almost time for registration to start for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering! New staff Becky Kammeier and Emily Myers join us to discuss key things to know about how to plan for your registration to the Gathering. Youth Gathering Resources: LCMS Youth Gathering Website – lcmsgathering.com Facebook Page – facebook.com/lcmsgathering Facebook Group …

One component that is a part of every youth ministry is time in God’s Word. This episode is a discussion of how you can intentionally plan, choose, and write Bible Studies and Devotions for your teens. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

New Orleans is a city with a lot of LCMS Youth Gathering history, and we are excited to be there again in 2025. Listen to Mark and Julianna talk about NOLA as we prepare for the next Gathering. Youth Gathering Resources: LCMS Youth Gathering Website - lcmsgathering.com Facebook Page - facebook.com/lcmsgathering Facebook Group - facebook.com/groups/…

Most youth ministries use games regularly, but new youth leaders might not know how to best use those games. We are joined by Signe White, Ellie Lutz, and Keith Peters, who all serve in camp ministry, to talk about how to use games for teaching, community building, and more. Resources in this episode: National Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association:…

DCE Jeremy Becker joins Julianna and Mark for a conversation about how youth leaders can foster community and relationships that build belonging in their youth ministry. Bio: Jeremy Becker is a Director of Christian Education with over 24 years. He currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, Florida before that, he served at Concordia Luth…

It’s time to start planning for the 2025 Youth Gathering! Mark and Julianna talk about things to consider as you begin to prepare your congregation, youth, parents and other adults for the Gathering. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

The next episode in our second starter pack discusses child safety and risk management. Mark and Julianna talk about what can go wrong and how you can prepare to keep youth and adults safe and healthy. Resources mentioned in this episode: The LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com Ministry Safe: ministrysafe.com/lcms LCMS Page on Ch…

Mark and Julianna are starting a new series of podcasts for those who are starting out in youth ministry. For the first episode, we invite LCMS Youth Ministry Communications Specialist Meredith Smith to discuss communications. Meredith Smith is the communications specialist for LCMS Youth Ministry, communicating about everything we do at LCMS Youth…

We are excited to be revealing the theme “Endure” for the upcoming 2025 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the theme, the passages of Hebrews we will focus on and more about our theological paper. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Student …

Service work is a key component of a healthy youth ministry. Service on longer, intensive weeks like servant events or mission trips give youth a chance to live out their faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and build relationships that keep them tied to their congregation. LCMS Youth Ministry has supported LCMS Servant Events for over 40 year…

College academic years have started across the country. This is a momentous time of transition for a freshman, and exciting times for upper classmen. A new living arrangement, a new schedule, new freedom, and new relationships all meet young people as they go from high school to their next academic adventure. Campus Ministries and home congregation…

One of the biggest struggles we know are a part of adolescence, especially today, is identity formation. We talk with DCE Cassie Moore about how youth ministry can play a role in helping form an identity in Christ and about her recent study on identity. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Cassie Moore is an autho…

We conclude our short series on Christian Apologetics, inviting Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox to give insight to worldviews and philosophies faced by Christians. Resources in this episode: YouthESource Website — youthesource.com Brad Alles’ Resource Website — bradalles.com “Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) — youthesource.com/…

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics with guests Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox. In this episode we tackle a few questions raised by those inside and outside of the faith. Our guests give insight to answers to defend the faith and share it with others. Bios: Dr. Brad Alles is an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia Universi…

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics, exploring the role of Apologetics in Christian education and youth ministry. Faith Spelbring, DCE, joins us to give insight and resources to equip young people to think critically about the intersection of faith and life and witnessing to others. Resources in this episode: Life's Big Questions, G…

We start a short series on Christian Apologetics, starting with the basics of Christian Worldview. Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox join us to give resources to develop our worldview grounded in God’s Word and truth. Resources mentioned in this episode: “Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) - youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope/ …

Members of the YouthLead Executive Team, teens elected to serve the program for a three year term, join Mark and Julianna in talking about how to support teen leaders and what they enjoy about being young leaders themselves Bios: Reagan Martens, Austin Barber, and Adam Beadle are representatives from the YouthLead Executive Team. This team is elect…

Part of our 40 End Goals talks about how we engage and support in service and mission locally and across the globe. Rev. Mark Rabe and Erin Alter from the LCMS Office of International Mission join us to talk about how youth leaders can explore these topics and support current and future missionaries. Find the LCMS Office of International Mission at…

Both in the 2022 Gathering Theological paper and in the Seven Practices we talk about the importance of telling personal stories, but especially God’s story. Julianna and Mark talk to Pastor Ted Doering about his study that dives into God’s story and our story. Bio: Rev. Ted Doering is the pastor at Narrative Church, an LCMS church plant in William…

In our last episode on difficult conversations, Pastor Jonathan and Christa Petzold help us think about how to approach issues of gender and sexuality in our youth ministry. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Rev. Jonathan Petzold holds an MDiv from Concordia Seminary St. Louis. He serves as Senior Pastor at Tri…

We are highlighting a second study in this year after the Gathering on Vocation. DCE Amanda Jahnke joins us to talk about vocation with teens now and in the future. Bio: Amanda Jahnke is a DCE currently serving Concordia Preparatory School in Townsend, Maryland. She previously served at St. Paul in Fort Worth, TX. She received her undergrad and gra…

Suicide is not easy to talk about in your youth ministry, but it is necessary as it is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-24. Megan Miessler, LCSW, joins us to talk about how we can approach this topic well and care for young people who may experience crisis around suicide. Find the Columbia Protocol App at apps.apple.com/us/app…

Deaconess Emma Heinz and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor join Mark and Julianna to talk about how we approach life issues in youth ministry and teach a full theology of life in all things to our youth. Find LCMS Life Ministry resources at lcmslife.org and life resources on the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com/life. Bio: Deacones…

Mark and Julianna continue the series on challenging issues you might face in youth ministry. Rev. Brian Earl joins them to talk about ministering in the face of drug and substance use and addiction. Bio: Rev. Brian Earl is a board-certified chaplain currently serving in mental health populations at the Raymond G Murphy Medical Center in Albuquerqu…

Our next study in the 40 End Goals series helps us to think about how we navigate difficult times with humble confidence and teach youth to do the same. Pastor Brandon Metcalf joins us to talk about his study and how we can support teens regardless of what challenges they face. Bio: Rev. Brandon Metcalf serves as Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran C…

LCMS Servant Events have supported youth and adults in learning that serving others can make a difference because of Jesus Christ for more than 35 years. In this episode, our Servant Event Committee joins us to talk about how these servant events across the country. Guests in this episode: Rev. Barry Akers — Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Milwauk…

As we continue to highlight the studies around the 40 End Goals, Mark and Julianna talk to DCE Bekah Freed about her study and devotions on Sabbath and rest. Bio: Bekah Freed is Kansas-grown girl who now lives in cornfields of Nebraska (with a 9-year stop in Buffalo, NY). She currently serves the students of Concordia University, Nebraska as the Di…

Mark and Julianna celebrate 100 episodes of End Goals Podcast by letting the listeners turn the tables and answering their questions. We are so thankful for your support these last three years. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bullying is not anything new, and youth ministries have had to deal with it many times over and in various ways. Today, much of the bullying happens not face to face but online. Kari Smith joins us to talk about how to prevent and approach this issue. Bio: Kari Smith has been a teacher, youth leader, and now works with Lutheran Family Service as Co…

We all have roles, responsibilities, and relationships where God uses us to serve others and share the Gospel. Pastor Andrew Jones joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the importance to teaching about vocation. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Andrew R. Jones lives in the Bay Area of California where he enjoy…

This Fall we are taking on some important, but difficult topics for teens that might be tough for youth leaders to approach. In this episode, we talk with Jayme Nichols about how we can prepare to care and support youth who are impacted by depression and anxiety. Bio: DCE Jayme Nichols is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the Austin, T…

Both the 7 Practices and the 40 End Goals use the term “Humble Confidence” but what does that mean? Join Mark and Julianna in a discussion with Rev. Trevor Sutton about his study on Humble Confidence available on YouthESource right now. Bio: Rev. Trevor Sutton is a senior pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. He is also a PhD can…

Our 40 Teaching End Goals are a part of our 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry and our Bible studies on the YouthESource for the next year will explore those End Goals. In this episode we look at the first of those Bible studies and devotions by talking about Christian Community with author Cassie Schermbeck. Bio: Cassie Schermbeck is a DCE in C…

Join us for a special crossover episode with Friends for Life! Host Stephanie Neugebauer talked with us about the importance of intergenerational relationships, particularly with older generations honoring and serving the younger generation. As we think about the life of the church, how we care for pre-teens, teens, and young adults is a part of ho…

Even though you may still be sharing your 2022 Gathering experience, our team is already well at work on the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Hear a little bit about what happens between Gatherings and ways you can stay connected to us. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthes…

Now that we have experienced the LCMS Youth Gathering, we checked in with the staff of LCMS Youth Ministry to hear their reflections on the event. The staff works hard for years to make the Gathering possible and have a unique perspective of where God was at work in Houston. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Minist…

LCMS Youth Gathering participants can be noticeable with their matching shirts and backpacks. More than just being seen, God can use Gathering participants to leave an impact on the city and those residents they come into contact with. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.…

Mark and Julianna talk about how the Gathering can help your youth ministry beyond the five days of the event. We pray it can help spur ministry for the next three years and beyond. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

We know you are exhausted and just looking for a little rest. But in the first in our Gathering Finishing Pack series, we will talk about how you might think about sharing your group’s experience at the 2022 Youth Gathering back home. This also has a special segment for pastors on the theme: In All Things! Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering…

We have finally made it to Houston for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering. Join Mark and Julianna on the Interactive Floor as they talk about their experiences and give thanks for what is happening at the Gathering. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.…

While we hope that every part of your LCMS Youth Gathering experience goes perfectly, we know that you want to plan for all the contingencies. This podcast will cover some of the big “What if” questions so you can hear about some of the plans and supports we have in place for you. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth …

We know that hotels and transportation aren’t necessarily glamorous, but they are necessary. Krista Miller and Dean Luker join us to talk about key things to know about both pieces as a part of your Youth Gathering experience. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bios: Kr…

The 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering is coming soon and we are excited to be sharing new information about everything you and your youth will experience. This podcast will review the reveals from last week and give a few tips and recaps for you as you prepare for the Gathering. Find all things Gathering at lcmsgathering.com. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry r…

It’s the time of year as we plan for high school and college graduations! Mark and Julianna invited Pastor Jay Winter to talk about campus ministry and transitioning young people into next steps in college. Bio: Pastor Jay Winters has served University Lutheran in Tallahassee since 2007. He grew up on the mission field as the son of a missionary in…

In the final episode of our series on parents, we talk with DCE Jeremy Becker to discuss the unique benefits and strains when a parent serves as a youth ministry leader. Bio: Jeremy Becker graduated from Concordia University in Chicago as a DCE. He served at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood and currently serves at St. Paul Lutheran Church in W…