Posted by | Aug 7, 2026
Behind every series we create at Grow are months of planning, collaboration, biblical study, creative decisions, and lots and lots of revisions. In this episode of Youth Ministry Answers, we’re answering a question we get all the time about how we create all of the curriculum and resources at Grow. So we asked Elle Campbell and Danny Sugimoto to join Brooklyn and Damean to pull back the curtain on the collaborative process, biblical strategy, and creative decisions behind everything we include inside Grow Students Curriculum.
QUESTION:
“How do you create all of the curriculum and resources at Grow?”
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how we…
Collaborate with real ministry leaders, writers, editors, designers, and creators throughout every step of the process
Build a two-year scope and sequence around the subjects teenagers need help navigating
Start with Scripture before developing themes, activities, and resources
Create memorable themes and clear weekly Big Ideas that help biblical truths connect with teenagers and stick long after church is over
Ask a Question:
Have a youth ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at YMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tools, and conversations you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources:
Grow Curriculum
Posted by | Jul 21, 2026
Coming up with fresh ideas week after week can be exhausting. Between planning programs, games, events, messages, and everything else on your calendar, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run out of creativity. In this episode of Youth Ministry Answers, Janette has a question about how to keep coming up with fresh ideas for youth ministry every week. So we asked Caleb Jordan to join Brooklyn and Damean to share practical strategies for cultivating creativity, finding inspiration, and consistently creating memorable experiences without burning yourself out.
QUESTION:
“How do I come up with things to do every week?” — Janette Corum
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Plan ahead to create more margin for creativity instead of constantly planning week to week
Collaborate with others, borrow great ideas, and stay curious about the world outside of ministry
Build a system for collecting ideas and learn to use feedback to make those ideas even better
Create meaningful and memorable experiences by building consistency
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at yma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for youth ministry ideas, small group strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Grow Curriculum
Grow Planning View
Posted by | Jul 10, 2026
Ministry to teenagers will always, necessarily involve ministry to parents. But building a healthy parent ministry strategy can feel overwhelming when you’re not sure where to start. In this episode of Youth Ministry Answers, Bri has a question about how to develop a parent ministry strategy that actually works. So we asked Elle Campbell to join Brooklyn and Damean to share practical ways to earn parents’ trust, build meaningful partnerships with families, and create a strategy that helps parents feel supported all year long.
QUESTION:
“How do we develop a parent ministry strategy that works?” — Bri Law
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Earn parents’ trust by consistently communicating, listening well, and following through on your plans
Create meaningful opportunities for parents to build memories with their teenagers and connect with your ministry
Build face-to-face relationships through meetings, discussion groups, and intentional one-on-one conversations
Keep parents equipped, informed, and encouraged with consistent communication, practical resources, and regular celebration
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at yma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for youth ministry ideas, small group strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Annual Planning Meeting to see how this all looks on a calendar
Grow Strategy to plan your year
All parent resources/Family Bundle
Posted by | Jun 29, 2026
Graduation is one of the biggest transitions a student will ever experience. As they leave the familiarity of youth ministry and step into college, they’re navigating new freedoms, new friendships, new challenges, and new questions about their faith. In this episode of Youth Ministry Answers, producer Caitlyn asks a question we often see in the Facebook group about how to prepare students well for the transition to college. So we asked Danny Sugimoto to join Brooklyn and Damean to share practical ways to help graduating seniors build lasting faith, navigate the transition to adulthood, and stay connected to Jesus long after they leave youth ministry.
QUESTION:
“How do I prep my students for college well?”
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Prepare students before graduation by helping them experience the larger church, serve consistently, and view graduation as a healthy next step
Equip graduates during the summer with practical life skills, meaningful celebrations, and intentional transition moments
Help students take ownership of their faith by connecting them with a church community before they leave and encouraging healthy independence
Stay connected in ways that communicate love and support without preventing students from fully embracing their next season
Ask a Question:
Have a youth ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at YMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tools, and conversations you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Posted by | Jun 16, 2026
Mission trips have the potential to shape students for a lifetime—but without thoughtful preparation, they can unintentionally do more harm than good. In this episode of Youth Ministry Answers, Brooklyn and Damean tackle a question about how to plan a mission trip that truly serves people well while avoiding some of the most common mistakes leaders make. Through the lens of “how to plan a terrible mission trip,” they share practical, thoughtful strategies for preparing students, partnering with local communities, and creating experiences that have a lasting impact.
QUESTION:
“How do I actually plan a mission trip that serves people well—and what are some mistakes I should avoid going in?”
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Prepare students spiritually, emotionally, and culturally long before the trip begins
Partner with local leaders by serving their long-term mission instead of creating your own agenda
Build healthy rhythms that balance meaningful service with rest, fun, reflection, and appreciation
Help the trip create a lasting impact through responsible storytelling, thoughtful debriefing, and ongoing discipleship after everyone returns home
Ask a Question:
Have a youth ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at YMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for youth ministry ideas, small group strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Mission Experience
