In this episode, Jeremy and Sid dive into a big, practical question for youth workers: What do I do when a student shares something heavy about their family?

Whether you're at camp, in a small group, or hanging out one-on-one, chances are high that a student will eventually open up about something difficult at home. Sid unpacks what your role is (and what it isn’t) when that happens. They talk about mandatory reporting, emotional boundaries, practical tools, and how to love students without taking on more than you’re called to carry.

This conversation is packed with wisdom, stories, and clarity for youth workers who want to care well without burning out or stepping outside their lane.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things…

• Never promise confidentiality; rather, explain that you will only tell people who can help
• Create a simple incident reporting system (here is a sample of some of the questions you might include)
• Know who to call: have a go-to list of professionals for legal or safety issues
• Be clear about your emotional limits—don’t carry what you’re not meant to
• Spend time with both high-needs and emotionally healthy students
• Consider getting additional training if you’re consistently walking into deep situations
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Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

You can also check out the podcast that Sid mentioned where he was a guest with his son Payton here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5g3Mz9Y62HvR8GzBc8WEjb?si=11c90542bf6a4637

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by veteran youth pastor Jonathan Kornelsen from Central Community Church in Chilliwack, BC, to unpack a question that every youth worker eventually faces: How do I care for a student whose family life is messy, broken, or confusing?

Jonathan brings 20+ years of youth ministry experience into this honest, compassionate conversation about the limits and opportunities of our role as youth workers. From mandatory reporting to faithful presence, from avoiding the savior complex to knowing when to just take a kid out for ice cream—this episode offers a practical guide for navigating the mess with wisdom and love.

Whether you’re a volunteer, point leader, or ministry director, this episode will help you better support students walking through complicated family dynamics.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things…

• Listen to Episode 104 – What Should You Know About Crisis, Trauma, Abuse & Neglect (interview with a police officer and social worker)
• If you’re unsure about a disclosure, report it or talk to someone who can.
• Be a calm, safe, trustworthy adult in a student’s life without trying to “fix” them.
• Know your community’s referral resources (counselors, food banks, support workers)
• Be quick to pray, often and out loud, for students navigating hard situations
• Commit to the long haul—healing takes time, and your presence matters more than you know

You should also get Jonathan’s new book Youth Ministry Blueprint, available on Amazon.

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

Jeremy and Sid pick up where we left off last week, adding a few more ideas to help you reset your focus on what matters most. Jeremy and Sid explore:

• Why love for God and others is the true center of youth ministry.
• The vital role of anchoring students in Scripture, not just for knowledge, but to shape their affections and actions.
• Why your modeling of faithfulness in whatever environment you are in matters more than you realize.

Whether you’re just stepping into a new season or coming off a hard stretch in ministry, this episode will encourage you to stay faithful, stay focused, and remember that what you do makes an eternal difference.

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by longtime youth pastor, Alpha Youth Series co-creator, and speaker Ben Woodman for a thoughtful and practical conversation on the most important goal in youth ministry: helping students grow in their love for Jesus and their love for others.

Ben shares stories and insights from over 20 years of ministry around the world, and together he and Jeremy reflect on how easy it is to get distracted from our core calling—especially in the chaos of running programs or managing small groups. From practical ideas to deeper theology, this episode is filled with encouragement and inspiration for any youth worker who wants to make space for real spiritual growth in students.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things…

• Be quick to pray with and for your students—even in spontaneous moments
• Try leading a small group through a reflective prayer time using a Psalm
• Play a worship song and ask students to listen for what God might say
• Create retreat, camp, or night-away moments where students can encounter God
• Remind students (and yourself): you don’t have to start over—God cherishes every step you’ve taken

You can also try out these resources:

• Alpha Youth Series (free and online)
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

We sent these things out to our email list too. If you’d like to join, head to youthworker.community/contact and hit subscribe.

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

In this episode, Jeremy and Dawn sit down with 15-year-old Ashlynn from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to talk about how volunteering in youth ministry has transformed her faith. Ashlynn’s story is a powerful reminder that young people don’t have to wait until they’re older to start leading and making a difference.

Ashlynn shares honestly about the insecurities she faced as a new Christian and young leader, what helped her overcome them, and how God is using her story to encourage others. This episode is a great listen for youth workers who want to know how to identify, equip, and support student leaders well.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these three things…

1. Invite students to step into leadership earlier than you think
2. Assign real responsibilities that fit student strengths (announcements, small groups, game teams, etc.)
3. Offer regular check-ins and training to help young leaders grow

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

In this episode, Will sits down with two remarkable student leaders—Ethan and Wren—from the Saskatoon area to talk about the spiritual discipline of witness. What started as a simple Youth Alpha club in their school has grown into a city-wide ripple effect, inspiring students across the region (and beyond) to start conversations about Jesus with their peers.

They share the highs and lows of starting something new, including two weeks of showing up to an empty classroom before things turned around. Now, their faithful witness is sparking a movement. If you’re a youth worker wondering how to empower your students to share their faith, this conversation will provide you with an inside look at what it truly takes.

If you’ve not seen Youth Alpha, check it out here: alphacanada.org/youth

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these three things…

1. Help with the logistics: pizza, space, tech, encouragement, or check-ins
2. Equip students to be “hosts,” not experts—safe people who create welcoming spaces
3. Stay connected with students running Youth Alpha: ask how it’s going, offer prayer, and celebrate progress

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

In this episode, Will sits down with Clive, a grade 12 student and youth leader at Ebenezer Church in Saskatoon, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about what it looks like to actually love and engage Scripture as a young person.

Clive shares his personal journey of growing up in the church, facing doubts, and navigating the tension between science and faith. What changed everything for him? A youth leader who made space for hard questions and walked alongside him. That mentoring relationship helped spark a deeper love for the Bible—and now Clive is doing the same for younger students.

If you’re a youth worker wondering how to help students connect with Scripture in a meaningful way, this episode is packed with practical encouragement, lived experience, and fresh insight from a student leader who’s been there.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these three things…

1. Talk about your own Scripture habits—let students see your love for the Word
2. Encourage small, sustainable Bible reading goals (1 chapter or 5 minutes each day)
3. Be honest: admit when you don’t have it all figured out—students will value your authenticity

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

As part of our series on spiritual disciplines, William Dmytrow sits down with Pastor Jaidon McCusker and student leader Maximus from First Assembly Calgary to explore the spiritual practice of generosity. This conversation dives into how young people can begin to develop habits of generosity right now—with their money, time, and everyday choices.

Maximus shares his personal story of how a small decision to give years ago sparked a lasting posture of generosity in his life. Together with Pastor Jaidon, they unpack how youth ministries can create opportunities for students to serve, give, and live generously both within and beyond the church walls.

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.