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
357 episodes
68. Dreaming of a Stronger Partnership: How Senior Pastors and Kids Ministers Can Lead Together with Jay Hardwick & Melissa Whitworth
What could happen if your senior pastor and kids ministry leader were fully aligned around one mission?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we're continuing our Summer Dreamin' series by dreaming about one of the mos...
67. 5 Ways to Keep the Gospel Centered in Kids Ministry with Aaron Wilson
The greatest gift we can give kids isn't a great program—it's a clear picture of Jesus.In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Aaron Wilson, team leader for The Gospel Project at Lifeway, to t...
66. Dreaming Beyond Sunday: Equipping Parents for Everyday Discipleship with Tristan Meza
What if the greatest impact of your kids ministry didn't happen in your classrooms—but in your families' living rooms?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we're continuing our Summer Dreamin' series with a conversati...
65. Start a Kids Ministry Podcast with Nikki Ogden and Donnie Gordon
What if one of the most effective tools for discipling families and encouraging volunteers is something you can create yourself?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we're continuing our Summer Dreamin' series by expl...
64. Actionable Goals For Kids Ministry Leaders - Part 2 with Chuck Peters
Big ministry vision is exciting until you try to turn it into Tuesday’s to-do list. We sit down with Chuck Peters to get practical about goal setting for kids ministry leaders, especially when you’re planning for the next season and trying to b...
63. Goal Setting That Builds Real Spiritual Growth In Kids with Chuck Peters
You can run an excellent kids ministry and still aim at the wrong target. That sounds harsh, but it is also freeing because it means you do not need more activity, you need clearer purpose. In the first episode of our Summer Dreamin...
Summer Dreamin' - New Season Coming Up!
We're so excited about a new season of Kids Ministry Calling: Summer Dreamin'! Now full video podcast on Youtube! Check us out at the Lifeway Channel.
62. Kids Ministry Fun Starts With You: How to Create an Engaging & Joyful Ministry Culture with Stephanie Chase
Fun doesn’t just happen in kids ministry, it’s led.In this season finale of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Stephanie Chase, Kids Minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church, for a high-energy and honest conversation a...
61. Teaching Kids to Worship with Miss PattyCake
In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Miss PattyCake (Jean Thomason), a beloved leader in children’s ministry, to talk about helping kids connect with God through music, movement, and Scripture. Fr...
60. Midweek That Matters: Fun, Connection & Belonging in Kids Ministry with Kayla Fowlers and Jeremy Carroll
In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, we explore practical ways to make midweek kids ministry both fun and meaningful. From creating a relaxed, engaging environment to balancing teaching with relationship-building, this conversation ...
59.Designing Fun: Creating Engaging Kids Ministry Spaces with Joey Kiker
Fun in kids ministry doesn’t happen by accident—it’s designed.In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Joey Kiker, Lifeway’s Creative Director, to talk about how intentional design can transform the w...
58. Building a Thriving Volunteer Culture: Fun, Training & Mentorship with Crystal Mazzuca
What if the secret to a stronger kids ministry… is creating a volunteer culture people actually enjoy being part of?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Crystal Mazzuca to talk about how fun, connection,...
57. Church Highlight: Inside First Orlando Kids Ministry | Building Gospel-Centered Fun That Reaches Kids
In this special church highlight episode, we take a closer look at First Orlando Kids Ministry and the heart behind what makes it so impactful. Conversations from Metro reveal that kids ministry is both deeply intentional and joyfully en...
56. What Sounds Fun in Kids Ministry? Live from CPC
This episode features insights from kids ministry leaders at CPC Orlando, sharing innovative ways to keep children engaged and foster a fun, faith-filled environment. Topics include encouraging curiosity through questions, making ministry f...
55. Bringing Joy Back to Kids Ministry with Kelley Pekarek
In this episode of the Kids Ministry Calling Podcast, we sit down with longtime kids ministry leader Kelly Pekarek to talk about something every ministry leader needs more of....joy.With more than 21 years of experience ...
54. Engaging the Community with Creative Events with Steve Hample
Kids ministry has never been just about filling a room or filling time. It’s about building disciples—starting with the youngest hearts in our churches and extending outward to families and communities.In this conversation, Steve Hampel ...
53. VBS 2026: How to Plan a Gospel-Centered Vacation Bible School with Melita Thomas
VBS isn’t just a week on the calendar, it’s a gospel opportunity.In this episode, we dive into the heart behind this year’s VBS theme, Illumination Station, and explore how every activity, lesson, and moment is designed to help ki...
52.Making Large Group Fun with Isaac Kierstead
In this engaging conversation, Lifeway's Isaac Kirsted shares his journey in kids ministry, discussing the evolution of podcasting, his experiences at Lifeway, and the development of the Hi-Fi curriculum. He emphasizes the importance of...
51. The Joy of Kids Ministry: Fun with Purpose with Pastor Joel Evrist
"It's about speaking a language kids can understand. Kids understand fun!" - Joel EvristIs fun just filler in kids ministry, or is it foundational?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana welcomes ba...
Season 5 Trailer
Remember when kids ministry felt… fun? Not polished. Not perfect. But full of laughter, big questions, messy moments, and holy wonder. Between preparing curriculum, scheduling volunteers, and Sunday morning chaos, it can be easy to forget that ...
50. Building A Non-Anxious Life with Dr. John Delony
What if anxiety isn’t a flaw to fix—but a signal inviting you to live differently?In this special bonus episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Dr. John Delony, mental health expert, author, and couns...
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...
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...
47. Building a Ministry of Belonging: Special Needs Ministry with 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...