The Heart of a Youth Leader
This is for anyone working with children or young people in a church context, and will help you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you invest in the next generations. You can watch episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thriveyouthmin Created by Thrive Youth Ministries in UK.
Episodes
196 episodes
Passing on Faith When the World Is Pulling Them Away
How do we help the next generation genuinely trust God — not just enjoy the benefits of church or the comfort of belonging?In this episode of The Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy reflects on Psalm 78 and the challenge of passing on...
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Season 12
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Episode 5
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10:26
Why Youthwork Shrinks — and How It Can Grow Again
Why does youthwork sometimes feel like it’s getting smaller, harder, and more frustrating — even when we’re working so hard?In this episode of The Heart of the Youth Leader, Andy reflects on Proverbs 11 and the way our values qu...
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Season 12
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Episode 4
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9:47
The Quiet Drift of the Heart
In a world of constant distraction, Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 land with fresh urgency: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”In this episode of The Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy reflects on attention, ...
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Season 12
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Episode 3
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11:02
Ten Things God Wants You to Stop Forgetting
In youth ministry it’s easy to carry the weight of everything ourselves — decisions, pressure, responsibility, expectations. But Isaiah 41 reminds us that God never intended it to work that way.In this episode, Andy reflects on ten po...
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Season 12
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Episode 2
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9:25
The Hidden Filter That Changes Everything in Youth Ministry
There’s something quietly shaping the way we lead, respond, and even pray in youth ministry—and most of us barely notice it. In this episode, Andy explores the hidden filter that sits beneath our decisions and our emotions, affecting h...
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Season 12
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Episode 1
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8:56
Measuring What Really Matters in Youth Ministry
In this episode, Andy explores why numbers alone can’t tell the real story of a youth ministry. Instead of focusing on size, he invites us to look for signs of genuine growth—numerical, spiritual, and lifestyle. When we measure what truly matte...
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Season 11
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Episode 12
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10:32
Refreshed, Not Run-Down: Finding God in the Rush
In the busy seasons of youth and children’s ministry, it’s so easy to keep our heads down, push through the to-do list, and forget to lift our eyes to Jesus. But when life gets full, our need for his presence becomes even greater.In this...
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Season 11
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Episode 11
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10:13
The Bible That Shapes Your Ministry
This week, Andy explores the surprising truth that young people are shaped far more by who we are than by what we do.Drawing from Hebrews 4, he challenges youth leaders to keep the Word of God alive and active in their own lives — ...
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Season 11
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Episode 10
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9:43
The Skills You Didn’t Know God Could Use
This week, Andy reflects on how God uses every part of our story — our jobs, experiences, and even frustrations — to prepare us for His work.Through the story of David and a real-life example from the Thrive team, Andy reminds us that our s...
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Season 11
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Episode 9
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11:04
The Secret Power Behind Every Great Youth Ministry
Most churches want to see young people come to faith—but often don’t know where to start. In this episode, Andy shares why prayer is the most powerful and practical foundation for youth ministry, and offers five simple ways your church can grow...
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Season 11
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Episode 8
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8:36
Waking Up to God’s Call Again
In this week’s Heart of a Youth Leader episode, Andy reflects on the story of Jonah — not just his disobedience, but his sleep in the middle of a storm.It’s a powerful reminder of how easy it can be to drift through min...
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Season 11
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Episode 7
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9:45
Courageous Dependence on the Spirit
In this week’s episode of The Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy explores what it really means to live courageously dependent on the Spirit.Too often, Christians underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit within us — the ver...
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Season 11
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Episode 6
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11:21
Parents in Youth Ministry: Help or Hindrance?
Should parents be leaders in the same youth group their teenagers attend? It’s a question many youth leaders wrestle with. In this episode, Andy shares his own experiences of leading all three of his children in youth ministry and unpacks 10 le...
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Season 11
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Episode 5
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11:44
Why Your Youth Group Exists (and It’s More Than Just Fun & Games)
In a world obsessed with individuality and “my way” living, what’s the real purpose of our youth groups?Andy Castle explores Hebrews 10 and challenges us to build gatherings that put community over competition—places where teenagers ...
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Season 11
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Episode 4
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10:50
Turning Life’s Limitations Into Space for God’s Voice
In this episode of Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy Castle unpacks the story of Samuel’s calling in 1 Samuel 3 and draws out a surprising detail about Eli: his failing eyesight. Could Eli’s weakness actually have positioned him to recogni...
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Season 11
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Episode 3
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9:57
Steadfast Hearts in a Self-Centred World
What does it really mean to have a steadfast heart before God? In this episode of Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy Castle reflects on Psalm 108 and the challenge of living faithfully with all our hearts in a world that tells us to put our...
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Season 11
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Episode 2
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10:10
What Would You Say to the Next Youth Leader?
When it comes time to hand over the baton of leadership, what words of advice would you want to pass on? In this episode, Andy reflects on Moses commissioning Joshua in Deuteronomy 31 and the timeless reminder that “the Lord himself goes be...
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Season 11
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Episode 1
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9:33
The Father Who Delights in You
Replay Episode – The Father Who Delights in YouOff the back of a touching Father’s Day moment with his sons, Andy reflects on how our heavenly Father longs to be with us, delights in us, and pays the cost for that relationship—just l...
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Season 10
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Episode 17
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9:52
The Prayer Sandwich: A Model for You and Your Young People
Replay Episode – A New Way to Pray: Rejoice, Request, Give ThanksIn this reflective episode, Andy revisits 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and unpacks how rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in all circumstances can transform our prayer li...
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Season 10
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Episode 16
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10:04
Always Be Ready: Talking About Faith Naturally
Replay Episode – Always Be Ready: Talking About Faith NaturallyInspired by Queen Elizabeth’s legacy of faithfulness and service, Andy reflects on how we model faith in everyday life. Why is it so hard for Christians—even leaders—to t...
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Season 10
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Episode 15
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9:15
Coffee with God: Modelling a Life of Presence
Replay Episode – Coffee with God: Modelling a Life of PresenceIn this heartfelt replay, Andy challenges us to consider what kind of example we’re really setting for the young people we lead. Are we modelling spiritual rhythms—or scre...
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Season 10
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Episode 14
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8:55
Living for the Audience of One
Replay Episode – Live for the Audience of OneIn this powerful replay, Andy shares the story of Stephen in Acts and the striking moment Jesus stands at the right hand of God—cheering him on. It's a call to youth leaders every...
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Season 10
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Episode 13
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8:54
When Pressure Hits, Where’s Your Comfort?
Replay Episode – Real Comfort, Real FaithIn this classic episode, Andy reflects on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1 about the God of all comfort. It’s a powerful reminder that true comfort doesn’t come from escaping pressure—but from ...
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Season 10
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Episode 12
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8:10
Why Worship Matters More Than You Think
Replay Episode – A Word in SeasonIn this classic replay, Andy Castle reflects on the essential role of worship in the life of a youth leader. Often the ones who miss corporate worship in church, youth and children's leaders need to f...
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Season 10
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Episode 11
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10:35
Ministry Without Burnout: Daily Habits That Keep You Rooted
Welcome to a special summer replay from Heart of a Youth Leader.This episode revisits a powerful reflection from Andy Castle on how to keep your soul healthy when youth ministry gets overwhelming. Are you working for Go...
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Season 10
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Episode 10
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9:05