Youth Ministry Garage Podcast… what’s new?


Today we recorded the 179th episode of our youth ministry podcast. For those who don’t know, it’s called The Youth Ministry Garage, and we’ve been doing it for several years.

It’s the highlight of my week to be with some of my best friends and amazing youth workers (Matt McGill, Josh Griffin & Katie Edwards). These friends also have great ministry experience and incredible insight.

On our weekly podcast we answer youth worker’s questions, we give away prizes from our sponsors, and we laugh a lot! We have some very loyal followers (and some who are called “rewind members“…which means they went back to episode 00 and caught up) and we’ve made some good friends.

Today, we had a special guest visit by Mark Matlock–executive director of Youth Specialities (in photo below). He did a great job! He fit right in and made a great contribution.

We are extremely grateful for our primary sponsor: Youth Specialties.

We’ve also have 4 other great sponsors: Azusa Pacific University, YM360, LeaderTreks, and RemedyLive.

In addition to all we do on the podcast, we also take some of the questions and move them to the YMGarage Blog where the community of youth workers weigh-in and answer questions.

Question: What podcasts do you listen to? Share them here.


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What do you do? What do others think you do? Does it matter?


Last week these “what others think I do” collages made their way around the internet… they were both clever and funny.

Having been a 30+ year youth pastor, I definitely understand and appreciated the one below (thanks to Craig Adams/Green Forest, Arkansas).




Over the years, I’ve learned that “perception is fact” in the eyes of those who are looking-in on your job/performance.

While these collages are made with good intentions, I think they raise questions of perception.

Question: What do you find that you have to do to change the perception others have of your job? Share here and let’s learn from one another. Also, share links to other ones like this.


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“My daughter died!”


I can’t even imagine the pain my friend and his family have gone thru recently in losing their amazing daughter Jessie to cancer.

Her battle made worldwide headlines and many of her friends met Jesus as a result of journey home.

This is short note that Jessie’s dad wrote me today:

Cancer sucks! Now that my 12 year old daughter Jessie has lost her courageous battle with two inoperable brain tumors I’m so convinced that something has to be done. Change has to be made. Kids need us now. Join me on Facebook. Erik (jessie’s daddy) www.facebook.com/jessicajoyrees

A donor has offered to give $25,000 to Jessie’s foundation if they can add an additional 100,000 likes on her Facebook page.

I can’t do much to help my friend Erik, but this is something I can do. I can use the platform of this blog to ask you to (1) “like” Jessie’s page, (2) use your influence to ask those within your circle of influence to “like” Jessie’s page, (3) ask your Facebook friends if they would “like” this page too.

Can you help? Seems like a very easy, doable ask!

Thanks for considering it.

For more of Jessie’s amazing story, GO HERE.

O.C. inspiration, 12, loses fight with cancer
Jessie Rees…Fighting Brain Cancer at 12 & Caring For Others Fighting Too
O.C. Community Foundation Fills JoyJars