Shaping Student Ministry Podcast
We’re not just doing youth ministry—we’re shaping it. Hosted by John Oliver and Ian Dunaway (two guys who’ve survived lock-ins, awkward sermon illustrations, and too many pizza parties), this podcast is your go-to spot for honest convos about what’s really working in student ministry—and what needs to go. Expect: - Real talk about discipling Gen Z and Gen Alpha - Leadership lessons that actually help - Interviews with people who get it - Practical strategies you’ll want to use this week - Ministry jokes, deep theology, and the occasional hot take No fake hype. No trendy fluff. Just gospel-centered content for youth pastors who want to shape students, not just entertain them. New episodes weekly. Bring your notebook—and maybe your coffee.. Subscribe now to never miss an episode, and join us in shaping the future of Student Ministry together!
Episodes
Welcome to Season 2 of the Shaping Student Ministry Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a game-changing conversation featuring Dave Coryell, President of Christian Endeavor and author of Less Like Hippos, More Like Honeybees. (WE ENCOUNTERED SOME RECORDING ISSUES... POWER THROUGH!)
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Why your discipleship strategy needs more than just curriculum
- The danger of treating content as the end goal...
You poured time, energy, and resources into your big event… now what? In this episode, John and Ian unpack why what happens after the event may be more important than the event itself. Drawing from years of student ministry experience, they tackle questions like:
• How do you capture spiritual momentum without overloading the calendar?
• Why are relational follow-ups better than reactionary ones?
• What does it look like to follow ...
In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Francis of Reframe Youth Ministry—licensed clinician, former youth pastor, and curriculum creator—for a conversation that will shift how you think about student ministry.
We talk about: • What technology is really doing to students’ minds and bodies • Why presence, not performance, is the secret sauce of ministry • How to build trust by letting students say the “wild stuff” • Why compass...
Are you really burnt out… or are you just deeply discouraged?
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian tackle the confusion between burnout and discouragement — and why understanding the difference could keep you from walking away from something God has actually called you to do.
🔍 In this episode, we cover:
• The signs and symptoms of discouragement vs. burnout
• Why burnout has become a “badge of hon...
In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Crawshaw from TrueFace to tackle one of the biggest challenges in student ministry today:
ministering to Gen Z and fostering authentic discipleship. From navigating identity struggles to overcoming a culture of self-diagnosis, we explore why Gen Z craves authentic relationships and how we can move past surface-level faith to guide students into deep, transformative discipleship.
Benjamin s...
Most student pastors focus on students—but what if the real key to a thriving youth ministry is partnering with their parents?
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, Steve John from The Youth Pastor Conference joins us to talk about why parent ministry isn’t optional—it’s essential. Youth pastors often see parents as obstacles, but when we equip, communicate with, and bu...
Student ministry camps can be incredible moments—but are they actually launching students into lasting faith, or just creating short-lived emotional highs? This week on The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, Ian Dunaway and Mark Santana sit down on the way to the airport to talk about rethinking how we approach camps. Instead of treating them as the ultimate goal, what if we made them a starting point for real, ongoing discipleship?...
In this episode, Ian, John, and special guest Jon Rush dive into one of the most unexpected ministry conversations yet—how gaming and discipleship intersect in today’s culture. From Fortnite streams to the bold (and hilarious) idea of starting a “church” in Grand Theft Auto, they explore how student pastors can meet students where they are—yes, even in digital worlds.
But this isn’t just about video games. The conversation expands ...
Ever feel like people aren’t taking you seriously in ministry? Like your leadership and influence aren’t respected the way they should be? You’re not alone. Credibility in ministry isn’t automatic—it’s earned.
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian break down the real reasons why student pastors and ministry leaders struggle to gain influence—and how to fix it before it costs you your ministry.
What W...
In a culture that celebrates constant movement, promotion, and “what’s next,” what if the most impactful thing you can do is stay right where you are?
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian sit down with Dan Carson from Student Ministry Matters to talk about the value of longevity in ministry. We dive into the real reasons student pastors often feel the pres...
How do games fit into student ministry? In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Bell from GameZooGames.com to talk about the theology of games—how they reflect God’s design for community, creativity, and engagement. We explore how to leverage games for success in student ministry, using them as tools for discipleship, connection, and teaching biblical truths in a fun and meaningful way.
Join us as we discuss: 🎲 The biblical founda...
Ministry is rewarding, but let’s be real—it’s also really hard. There are moments of deep discouragement, leadership mistakes, and seasons where it feels like you’re barely holding on. So how do you keep going when ministry gets tough?
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we’re diving into:
• How to handle mistakes and failures in leadership
• What adversity teaches us about resilience and faith
• Practical ...
How do you make sure your ministry events improve year after year? It all starts with a solid debrief. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian—together in person for the first time this season—dive into the art of event debriefing. Here’s what we’re covering: ✨ Why debriefing is essential for refining your events and strengthening your team. ✨ A step-by-step guide for evaluating what worked, what didn’...
Volunteers are the heartbeat of youth ministry. Without them, it’s impossible to impact the next generation in meaningful ways. But finding, equipping, and keeping passionate volunteers can often feel like a daunting task. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we unpack the secrets to building an incredible volunteer team that not only serves but thrives. Here’s what we’re diving into:
✨ Recruiting Volunteers: Pr...
As we prepare for a new year, it’s time to think about how to set intentional, effective goals for your ministry. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we dive into the why and how of goal-setting to help you focus your efforts, inspire your team, and see real growth in your ministry.
Join us as we discuss: ✨ Why goal-setting is essential for effective ministry. ✨ How to review the past year to shape future plans...
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John Oliver and Ian Dunaway are joined by Dennis Wagner from First Baptist Church of Yantis, Texas, and Joshua Villars from Southcrest Church in LaGrange, Georgia. Together, they discuss the power of cohorts and how these ongoing communities have shaped their ministries over the past year.
Unlike traditional once-a-year conferences, cohorts provide consistent support, deeper ...
John Oliver and Ian Dunaway are back to unpack the power of Disciple Now Weekends and how just 72 hours can transform your student ministry. Whether you’ve been hosting D-Nows for years or are considering planning your first one, this episode is packed with practical insights and strategies to make the most of this impactful event.
Here’s what we’re covering: ✨ Why Disciple Now Weekends are a game-changer for discipleship. ✨ How to...
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, Ian Dunaway is joined by Mark Santana, Student Pastor at First Baptist Statesboro, GA, who is filling in for cohost John Oliver. Together, they tackle an important topic in student ministry: how to effectively transition out of and into churches.
With the average tenure of a student pastor hovering around just 18 months, transitions are inevitable—but how they’re handled can ...
🎙️ Welcome to Episode 7 of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast:
Ian Dunaway and John Oliver team up for an in-depth conversation about how the church can effectively reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha with the gospel. These generations are navigating a rapidly changing world, and understanding what truly connects with them is essential for impactful student ministry.
In this episode, we cover: ✨ Why authenticity, purpose, and meaningful ...
Welcome to Episode 6 of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast! In this episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with Josh Good, Ministry Director for Christian Endeavor. With over a decade of experience as a Youth Pastor and a deep passion for equipping youth workers, Josh shares invaluable insights into student ministry, discipleship strategies, and creating a lasting impact for the Kingdom.
Josh discusses how Christian Endeavor’s frame...
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