Conclave Youth Ministry Podcast

TITLE: Creating a Culture of Hospitality in Student Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Discover how to foster a welcoming environment where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. This session will explore practical ideas for building a culture of hospitality that reflects Christ's love--from first impressions to long-term relationships. Whether you're leading a small group or overseeing an entire ministry, creating spaces where students can thrive is essential.

LEADER: Dr. Dwayne Parker, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, Jackson, MS

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content st...

TITLE: Why Youth Pastors Quit: Understanding and Preventing Burnout

DESCRIPTION: Why do so many youth pastors step away? Explore the pressures, challenges, and expectations that lead to burnout--and how to pursue longevity in ministry.

LEADER: Dr. Ricky Wilson, Director Next Gen Evangelism, South Carolina Baptist Convention, Columbia, SC

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Baptist cooperating states gather for three powerful days of...

TITLE: Empty, Yet Available (Main Session)

DESCRIPTION: Ed Newton’s message is a heartfelt call to weary ministry leaders to keep going in the power of the Holy Spirit. He begins by honoring his former youth pastor, David Flatt, thanking him for seeing potential in him as a teenager and reminding the audience that their investment in students matters more than they may realize. From there, Newton speaks candidly about his own battle with depression, anxiety, and despair in late 2023, sharing how God met him through counseling, recovery, and the support of his wife. He explains that mu...

TITLE: Preparing for the Moment at the End of the Message

DESCRIPTION: As youth pastors, we extend countless invitations--to camps, conferences, DNOWs, and midweek services. Yet, the invitation after our message is often the most challenging. In this breakout, we'll explore how to better prepare for that crucial moment with greater confidence and effectiveness.

LEADER: John Templeton, Association Pastor - Students, First Baptist Church, McMinnville, TN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each ye...

TITLE: From Awkward to Awesome: Mastering Parent Connections

DESCRIPTION: Parents are a huge part of student ministry, and we need to connect with them. In this breakout, we will discuss fresh and creative ways to get onboard with new parents, communicate with them, involve them, and train them.

LEADER: Dr. Blake Lewis, Middle School Pastor, First Baptist Church, Haughton, LA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and lea...

TITLE: Addressing Anxiety in the Next Generation

DESCRIPTION: Join us as we explore the unique challenges faced by a generation raised amidst constant digital connectivity and unprecedented mental health struggles. In this session, ministry leaders will learn practical strategies to recognize anxiety and other mental health challenges, provide spiritual encouragement, and train volunteers working with children and students. And... we'll be sending you away with this resource so you can share it with your parents and volunteers back home.

LEADER: Chris & Wendy Trent, Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA

This podcast brings...

TITLE: Guarding Hearts, Minds, & Ministries: Protecting Ourselves & Our Students from Pornography

DESCRIPTION: Pornography is one of the most destructive and pervasive threats to personal holiness, family health, and the integrity of gospel ministry. As youth pastors, we must fight this battle first in our own hearts and then shepherd our families, students, and churches toward purity, equipping families to stand firm in a culture that normalizes lust. This session will provide a biblical foundation for resisting temptation, practical steps for protecting our homes, families, and ministries, and grace-driven strategies for helping students find true freedom in Christ...

TITLE: "Same Same, But Different:" Understanding Teens Well

DESCRIPTION: In this session, we will seek to understand the concept of teens and where they are developmentally in order to lead and serve them well.

LEADER: Dr. Kristin Kellen, Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Baptist cooperating states gather for three po...

TITLE: The Digital Assistant Pastor: How CustomGPT Can Multiply Your Leadership

DESCRIPTION: Youth pastors are busier than ever--balancing ministry, volunteers, and endless administrative tasks. What if you had a digital assistant designed specifically for your ministry? In this workshop, you'll discover how to build a CustomGPT "Digital Assistant Pastor" that can instantly answer volunteer FAQs, provide reminders, and keep your team organized. Learn how to load your own ministry documents, policies, and schedules so your volunteers always get the right answers at the right time. Walk away with practical steps to create a tool that empowers your...

TITLE: Authentic Leadership in Student Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Do you feel the pressure to be the high-energy hype person or the sports-loving leader just to connect with students? The good news--you don't have to be someone you're not to grow a thriving student ministry. In this breakout, we'll explore how to lead authentically, build meaningful relationships, and create a ministry culture where students connect--not because of a persona, but because of real, intentional discipleship. Discover how to lean into your strengths, engage students effectively, and grow your ministry without sacrificing who God made you to be. 

L...

TITLE: Equipping Teenagers to Be Engaged in Evangelism

DESCRIPTION: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. The answer to this problem sits in front of you week after week. Learn how to equip and engage your students to share the gospel.

LEADER: Ben Emerson, Associate Pastor: Student Ministry, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, TN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Ba...

TITLE: How to Lead When You're Not the Main Leader

DESCRIPTION: When we hear the word leadership, we often think of the President, CEO, or in the case of a church, the Lead Pastor. The truth is most leaders don't sit in the seat of the main leader. Most leaders in the church are positioned in roles that have great opportunities for influence and impact, but they are serving for the main leader in the leadership team. The question is, "how do you lead when you are not the main leader?" In a very practical way, we...

TITLE: Faith-Filled Leadership: Leading with Hope Through Success & Suffering (Main Session)

DESCRIPTION:  Coach Mark Richt reflects on leadership through the highs and lows of his football career and the faith that shaped him. From unforgettable victories to painful losses, Richt shares how criticism, fear, insecurity, and adversity tested him—and how his relationship with Christ became the foundation for how he leads. He recounts the experience that led him to trust in Jesus, the role of Scripture in overcoming fear, and the perspective his Parkinson’s diagnosis has given him on suffering. Grounded in 2 Corinthians 4, Richt offers a pow...

TITLE: Building a Healthy Missions Culture: Theological Depth and Practical Engagement

DESCRIPTION: Missions is proximity. The call of compassion begins with our theological mandate to care for the vulnerable next door and fueling laborers into the harvest fields abroad.

LEADER: Cassie Hammett, National Send Relief Ministry Strategist and Executive Director for The Hub Urban Ministry, Shreveport, LA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across So...

TITLE: Shepherding a Student Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Ministry can feel overwhelming. We're all busy, and sometimes it seems like we're still falling behind. This session will talk about how to bring things back to the basics--what it means to truly shepherd students. We'll look at how strategy and structure can grow out of that calling to care for people, not just run programs.

LEADER: Daniel Gibson, Missouri Baptist Convention, Jefferson City, MO

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gat...

TITLE: Self-Care and Ministry Prioritization: Balance vs. Conflict

DESCRIPTION: In an age of self-care and ministry demands, learn and listen to a recovering "workaholic" on how to rest and maintain ministry prioritization. It is possible to do both!

LEADER: Cassie Hammett, National Send Relief Ministry Strategist and Executive Director for The Hub Urban Ministries, Shreveport, LA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Ba...

TITLE: The Breakout for Youth Ministry Volunteers

DESCRIPTION: In a generation where students are asking, " Where do I belong?," we will discuss practical ways to help volunteers minister to churched kids and unchurched kids looking to find their place in this world.

LEADER: Chris Trent, NextGen Catalyst, Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA, Todd Jones, Duluth First Baptist Church and Central Georgia NextGen Area Rep for Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and Jennifer Fletcher, Youth Ministry Volunteer, Marietta, GA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and pr...

TITLE: Intentional Fun in Functional Youth Ministry

DESCRIPTION: In this breakout, we will talk about the importance of recreation, games, and icebreakers in our youth ministries. We will also talk about practical ways that we can make these fun things intentional on a weekly basis. We will try some examples along the way, as well, to give us something to take with us when we go back to our teenagers!

LEADER: Jared Barham, Associate Pastor of Youth, Northside Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout se...

TITLE: Mastering Communication with the 4 Audiences Who Shape Your Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Let's be honest: great youth ministry often gets lost in the noise of bad communication. Your ministry's impact rises or falls based on your ability to communicate with the four audiences that shape everything you do: students, parents, volunteers, and church staff. Each audience is unique and needs something different. Great youth ministry leaders know how to speak to each one with clarity, consistency, and purpose. So, let's cut through the noise and level up your ministry's potential for influence and impact.

LEADER: Kerry R...

TITLE: The 8 Most Common False Beliefs About Jesus

DESCRIPTION: Often, when you hear students talking about their Jesus, you almost have to ask, "What Jesus are you referring to?" Because the Jesus described today by many self-proclaimed Christians, celebrities, and media personalities sounds nothing like the Son of God found in the Bible. Let's take a look at the many different false views of Jesus being perpetrated in culture and help students discover the real Jesus found in the Scriptures.

LEADER: Shane Pruitt, NextGen Evangelism Director, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA

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TITLE: 10 Power Tips for Administering Your Ministry

DESCRIPTION: There's a lot more to Student Ministry than hanging out with kids and teaching Bible lessons; in fact, many leaders spend less than 10% of their time interacting with students. This session explores insights to help set the right expectations for doing the rest of the role, with tips for managing your time, leading your team, and tackling your tasks.

LEADER: Chuck Peters, Director of Lifeway NextGen, Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, an...

TITLE: Leading Through Pastoral Change

DESCRIPTION: When the senior pastor at a church leaves, it can often be a tough situation for the remaining members of the ministerial staff. Even with a degree of uncertainty, those experiences can be a time of personal and ministry growth for the remaining staff. We will examine how to navigate various situations staff members may encounter and how to utilize those experiences to lead the church toward growth and healing. We will also explore how to determine whether remaining staff members should stay or seek another place of ministry.

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TITLE: The Rise of Post-COVID Gen Z + Alpha in Missions

DESCRIPTION: The largest and fastest growing generations on the planet are our NOW missionaries, but they are also very difference from pre-COVID Gen Z. Let's talk about how to creatively engage them, help them overcome their unique barriers to going, and equip them for long-lasting relationships with others and the church.

LEADER: Sarah Farley-Beall, Sr. NextGen Strategist + Camp Specialist, International Mission Board, Richmond, VA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight fr...

TITLE: Wonderfully Made

DESCRIPTION: Join Dr. Six as he shares insights on how to be biblically faithful and conversant with students struggling with their sexual identity.

LEADER: Dr. Jonathan Six, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Baptist cooperating states gather for three powerful days of encouragement, equipping, and sharpening as we...

TITLE: Great Events With Any Budget

DESCRIPTION: Big budgets aren't required to create unforgettable ministry experiences. In this breakout, you'll discover practical strategies, creative ideas, and resourceful hacks to design high-impact events that engage students and leaders--whether you have thousands to spend or just a shoestring budget. Learn how to maximize what you already have, tap into community resources, and think outside the box so your next event is both excellent and affordable.

LEADER: Hunter Smith, Student Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL

This podcast brings you the very best of...

TITLE: Connecting Students to Older Generations

DESCRIPTION: This breakout session emphasizes the vital importance of bridging student ministries with senior adult ministries to foster intergenerational connections within the church. Drawing from biblical examples and practical experiences, the session highlights why and how to integrate these groups effectively.

LEADER: Aaron Sibley, Minister to Students, First Baptist Church, Brandon, MS

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from acr...

TITLE: Raising Kids in Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Ministry is a calling. Parenting is a calling. How do we thrive in both? Join us as we explore practical strategies, biblical encouragement, and real-life stories about navigating the unique challenges of parenting while serving in ministry. Whether you're raising young children or parenting teens, this conversation will help you discover rhythms of grace that strengthen both your family and your ministry.

LEADER: Josh & Jennifer Meadows, Student Ministry Strategist, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Prattville, AL

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—br...

TITLE: Emerging Ministry Trends of Sex and Gender

DESCRIPTION: In this engaging breakout session, youth leaders will explore the evolving landscape of sex and gender within ministry contexts. As societal norms shift and young people's understanding of identity becomes more complex, it is crucial for ministry leaders to respond with empathy, knowledge, and authenticity.

LEADER: Jonathan Chapman, Baptist Campus Ministry of East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Ten...

TITLE: The Awkward Dance: Parents & Youth Ministry

DESCRIPTION: Ministry to students is important. But ministry with parents? That's where long-term discipleship takes root. We all know it's important, but sometimes it feels like it hasn't worked! In this breakout, join Zac Workun-co-author of Define the Relationship-as they unpack the research-backed, story-rich guide to reimagining how your church can engage parents as partners in the spiritual lives of their kids. There are real reasons to be hopeful about the future of youth ministry.

LEADER: Zac Workun, Student Ministry Specialist, Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN

TITLE: You're Part of This: The Next Generation and the Nations (Main Session)

DESCRIPTION: This session combines personal testimony, missions mobilization, and biblical conviction. Dr. Paul begins by thanking youth leaders, sharing that the youth ministry of his small Tennessee church served as a “guardrail” in his life during a broken and dangerous upbringing, and that God also used that church to bring him his wife. From there, he introduces the International Mission Board as the Southern Baptist Convention’s missionary sending agency, explaining that IMB missionaries are fully funded through the generosity of churches and that there...

TITLE: Financial Freedom for Ministers: Stewardship, Savings, & Success

DESCRIPTION: This session covers practical strategies for ministers on budgeting, paying off debt, saving for retirement, and navigating ministerial tax issues. Gain tools to steward your finances well, achieve financial freedom, and ensure long-term financial stability for yourself and your ministry.

LEADER: Chandler Cockrell, Financial Educator, GuideStone Financial Resources, Dallas, TX

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders fr...

TITLE: Empowering Women in Student Ministry Roles

DESCRIPTION: Women in ministry roles are crucial to the growth of our student ministries. Jesus led and equipped both men and women in His circle to be ministers of the gospel. Our students, now more than ever, need to see women leading others into a loving relationship with Jesus. Learn to create effective strategies for discipling females in your ministry to become ministers.

LEADER: Billy Lonsberry, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, LA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and pr...

TITLE: What Every Leader Needs to Know About Gen Alpha

DESCRIPTION: This generation will be the people group that student ministries will be going after for the next decade. This is our NOW ministry and the FUTURE of our ministry. So, what do we need to know about them? How can the church effectively communicate hope to a generation and disciple a generation? In this interactive breakout, we discuss what is the same about this generation and the things leaders need to know about reaching them.

LEADER: Shane Pruitt, NextGen Evangelism Director, North American Mission...

TITLE: Creating Teen Savvy Parents

DESCRIPTION: The default for most parents is "sin management." They move from crisis to crisis, trying to get their teen to be less bad. They try shame, embarrassment, and punishments without seeing any meaningful change. This workshop will equip you to help parents understand how their teenager makes choices, what they value most, and why they fall into repeated moral traps. Together, we can help them to parent from a posture of grace rather than fear.

LEADER: Brian Housman, Executive Director of 360 Family, Chattanooga, TN

This podcast b...

TITLE: Christ in the Chaos: Helping Students See Jesus in Their Mental Health Struggles

DESCRIPTION: Equip students to see how Jesus understands their struggles, meets them with grace, and offers lasting hope through His life, death, and resurrection.

LEADER: Brennan Hardesty, Family Pastor, Little Flock Baptist Church, Shepherdsville, KY

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Baptist cooperating states gather for three powerful da...

TITLE: Making Small Groups a Big Deal

DESCRIPTION: In this breakout, we will discuss why small groups are valuable within the youth ministry context, as well as how to implement them in ways that are intentional, meaningful, and part of your youth ministry strategy and vision as a whole!

LEADER: Jared Barham, Associate Pastor of Youth, Northside Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, an...

TITLE: AI, the Church, & NextGen

DESCRIPTION: How to help your church and parents navigate AI. Come learn how you can use it to engage NextGen audiences and mobilize them to reach their peers.

LEADER: David Olson, Manager of A.I. Solutions, International Mission Board, Richmond, VA

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training content straight from our annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year, youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and leaders from across Southern Baptist cooperating states gather for three powerful days of encouragement, eq...

TITLE: Sustainable Ministry Growth: 5 Systems That Will Take Your Ministry Further, Faster

DESCRIPTION: Ever feel like you need more staff? More volunteers?? More time??? A key competency for next-level ministry leaders is the ability to systematize processes with sustainable health and growth in mind. Effective systems offer an organized framework to streamline your ministry's organizational and ministry activity. Those who systematize well can better manage staffing, volunteer, and resource needs and position themselves for sustained healthy growth. This breakout will explore how to systematize processes in your ministry and will offer invaluable strategies for organizational management and...

TITLE: Not Just a Girl Thing: God's Invitation Through Feelings

DESCRIPTION: Whether it's you, your team, or your teenagers, dealing with big feelings is inevitable in ministry. Cry night at camp, anyone? The issue we often face is how to validate how we feel without allowing feelings to control our hearts and minds. Let's study together how God wants to create ministries that promote authenticity without compromising truth.

LEADER: Amanda Mejias, Girls' Brand Specialist, Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, an...

TITLE: Depression, Anxiety, & the Gospel: How Faith & Mental Health Intersect

DESCRIPTION: Delve into the profound impact of the gospel on addressing the challenges of depression and anxiety, both individually and in the context of student support. It equips leaders with the necessary guidance to navigate the intersection of faith and mental health, enabling them to provide compassionate and effective support to students in need.

LEADER: Michael Bozeman, Director of Church Engagement, Alabama Children's Home, Birmingham, AL

This podcast brings you the very best of Conclave—breakout sessions, main-stage talks, and practical training co...