In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we’re joined by Cameron Crow, Student Pastor at First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, and coauthor (with his wife, RoChelle) of the newly released book, Sprouting: Discipleship in Student Ministry. Cameron shares his passion for equipping the next generation to grow deeper in their faith through intentional, Scripture-based discipleship. We dive into the heart of their book, exploring practical tools for leaders to help students...

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Jon Beazley—apologist, church planter, and fitness coach—to discuss a crucial topic: incorporating apologetics into student ministry. Jon brings a wealth of experience in defending the faith and equipping young believers, offering valuable insights on how to address tough questions in today’s culture. Together, we explore practical ways to introduce apologetics, helping students understand why...

In this episode, John and Ian sit down with special guest Joshua Villars, the Student Pastor at Southcrest Church in LaGrange, Georgia, to dive deep into the art of curating and creating curriculum for student ministry. Joshua shares his passion for designing resources that resonate with today’s students, unpacking the importance of customized content that speaks directly to the unique challenges and needs of a youth group. Together, they discuss the beauty of building curriculum from...

In this episode, John Oliver and Ian Dunaway dive into the unique “superpowers” small churches bring to student ministry. Far from seeing size as a limitation, they uncover how smaller congregations have distinct advantages in nurturing deep, personal discipleship that can powerfully impact students’ lives. As pastors with experience in a range of church sizes, John and Ian explore the particular strengths small churches can leverage to meet the unique needs of their communities.

In Episode 1 of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John Oliver and Ian Dunaway dive into the critical need for student ministries to move beyond entertainment-driven approaches and prioritize authentic discipleship. They explore practical strategies for fostering spiritual growth and developing lasting faith in students while addressing the challenges of modern ministry.