Kids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder
The Kids Ministry Calling Podcast is designed to inspire and equip kids ministry leaders in every season of their journey! Join us as we dive into heartfelt discussions, practical tips, and uplifting stories that remind you of the incredible calling God has placed on your life. Tune in to be reminded of your purpose, share in the joys and struggles of ministry, and find renewed strength in your calling. Together, we can remember to have joy in our calling!
Episodes
336 episodes
49. Protecting Kids in a Digital World: Technology, AI, and the Church’s Role with Chris McKenna
Screens are everywhere, but are our kids safe? In this urgent episode, Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes joins the podcast to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing families and churches today: children’s expos...
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45:36
48. Empowering Preteen Girls: Identity, Friendship & Faithful Leadership with Amanda Mejias and Dr. Tiff Watson
What happens when you step into the world of a preteen girl, where friendships feel like everything, emotions run deep, and identity is being shaped moment by moment? In this episode, we dive into that world with Amanda Mejias and Dr. Tiff Wats...
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41:09
47. Building a Ministry of Belonging: Special Needs Ministry wtih Carly Ellis and Ellie Axford
What does it look like for a church to become a place where every individual—regardless of ability—belongs, is valued, and is discipled?In this inspiring episode, we take a deep dive into the heart behind Embrace Ministry...
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45:09
46. Happy Thanksgiving!
We're so grateful for each and every one of you! Happy Thanksgiving!SHOW LINKS:Follow Jana Magruder on Instagram
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4:05
45. Why Preteen Ministry Matters: Strategies for Ministry, Transitions, and Identity with Keiron Miles and Melissa Whitworth
If there’s one age group that keeps leaders on their toes, it’s preteens. In this honest and insightful episode, Melissa and Kieron dive into the messy, complicated, and often intimidating world of preteen ministry, a season filled ...
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45:26
44. Teaching Through the Tough Stuff: Tracy McElhattan on Early Childhood, Inclusion, and Faithful Discipleship
Let’s be honest—talking about the hard stuff with little ones isn’t easy. In this powerful episode, Tracy McElhattan opens up about the real challenges of tackling tough topics in early childhood ministry. From behavioral s...
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37:52
43. Building Value-Driven Teams in Kids Ministry with Brett Buckland
What can a chicken sandwich teach us about leadership in ministry? In this insightful and energizing episode, Brett Buckland joins the conversation to share how lessons from his time at Chick-fil-A have shaped the way he leads in mi...
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39:11
42. Understanding Trauma in Kids Ministry: Practical Strategies for Healing and Hope with Kim Botto
What if a child’s behavior on Sunday isn’t misbehavior, but a message?In this powerful and practical episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Kim Botto shares wisdom from her decades in children’s ministry, helping leaders understand how trauma...
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32:52
41. Leading With Heart: Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, and Ministry with Dr. Michelle Hicks
What if one of the most overlooked leadership skills could transform the way you serve kids, partner with parents, and lead volunteers? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Hicks to talk about the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) ...
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36:24
40. Creating a Culture of Safety in Kids Ministry with Kris Buckman
We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger”, but the sobering truth is that nearly 90% of child abuse cases involve someone the child already knows and trusts. As ministry leaders, it’s our sacred responsibility to ensure that ...
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41:50
39. How to Build a Kids Ministry That Keeps Families Coming Back with Pastor Taylor Johnson
Get ready for a heart-filled and practical conversation! In today's episode, Jana Magruder sits down with Taylor Johnson, who wears two hats as a Next Generation and Children’s Minister, to unpack what truly makes a kids ministry thrive
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40:43
38. Building an Accessible Church: Sandra Peoples on Disability Ministry and Inclusion
Every child is created in the image of God and deserves a place to belong in the church. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder sits down with Sandra Peoples to explore the vital role of disability ministry. With warmt...
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39:34
37. BONUS: Understanding Generations: Adapting Your Kids Ministry for Greater Impact
Have you ever stopped to think about how different generations view the world, the church, and even the gospel? In kids ministry, we often focus on reaching the next generation—but understanding where they've come from and who’s come before the...
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53:39
36. Kids Ministry and Generation Beta: Guiding Families Through Technology, Truth, and Faith with Dr. Shelly Melia
The world our kids are growing up in is changing at lightning speed, and the church must be ready. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder and her guests take us into a forward-looking conversation about the next genera...
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44:35
35. Protecting Kids in a Digital World: Sarah Siegand on Online Safety, Parenting, and Church Partnerships
In today’s world, parenting often feels like navigating a maze of screens, apps, and online dangers - one we didn’t have to face when we were growing up. How do we, as ministry leaders and parents, guide children to not only survive but thrive ...
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48:30
34. Children and Salvation: Guiding Kids Toward Faith with Donna Peavey and Karen Kennemur
Today’s episode is one that every kids ministry leader, pastor, and parent will want to lean into—because it’s all about one of the most important questions we face in ministry: How do we lead children to salvation?We often celebr...
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50:24
33. The Most Strategic Seat in the Church with Jana Magruder
Today, we're taking you behind the scenes of the Conclave Conference in Texas, where next generation ministry leaders from across the country gathered to learn, grow, and be challenged in their callings. In this episode, our conversation center...
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34:15
32. Culture Shaping Kids Ministry with Nikki Ogden
As summer winds down and we wrap up our July Book Club series, we’re closing with a conversation that brings the heart of kids ministry into full focus. In this episode we reflect on Kids Ministry That Nourishes by Jana Magruder—a book...
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46:22
31. Heart Transformation Over Behavior Modification with Nikki Ogden
Welcome back to our Summer Book Club Series on Kids Ministry Calling! In this episode, our producer and guest host Nikki Ogden sits down with Jana Magruder to explore one of the most foundational principles of a truly nourishing kids ministry: ...
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43:50
30. Kingdom Expanding Kids Ministry: Focusing on the "Why" with Nikki Ogden
Welcome to our July Book Club Series! In this episode, Nikki Ogden sits down with author, host, and ministry leader Jana Magruder to talk about her powerful and timely book, Kids Ministry That Nourishes. If you’ve ever felt th...
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46:07
29. Essential Nutrients for a Healthy Kids Ministry with Nikki Ogden
Welcome to our July Book Club Series! This month, we’re diving into the ingredients that make kids ministry not just effective - but truly life-giving. In this episode, host Jana Magruder and producer Nikki Ogden, reflect on what it me...
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28:07
28. Discipling Preteens: Building Faith, Trust, and Leadership Before the Transition with Danielle Bell and Jeremy Carroll
We’re continuing our Milestone Series this summer with one of the most pivotal seasons in a child’s spiritual journey: the preteen years. In this episode, Danielle Bell and Jeremy Carroll dive deep into the unique challenges and opport...
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40:15
27. From Questions to Commitment: Supporting Kids Through Faith Decisions with Danielle Bell and Jeremy Carroll
We’re so excited to continue our summer series, Milestones. We're focusing on the key spiritual moments that shape a child’s faith. These milestones aren’t just checkboxes; they’re opportunities for deep connection, discipleship, and celebratio...
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39:13
26. PreK graduation to Kindergarten with Delanee Williams and Kimba Campbell
We’re thrilled to be in our brand-new series, Milestones, a month-long journey designed to help ministry leaders and parents celebrate and support the spiritual milestones that shape a child’s faith journey. In this second episode, we’...
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39:14
25. Creating Lasting Impact with Parent-Child Dedications in Kids Ministry with Delanee Williams and Kimba Campbell
Hey friends! We’re kicking off a brand-new season with something truly special: the Milestone Series for this summer! Over the next few months, we’ll dive into some of the most significant moments in a child’s spiritual journey and how...
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39:01