Best LifeWay Students Podcasts (2026)

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Episode 378: Why Fun is Important for Youth Ministry 37:08

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2y ago37:08

37:08

Join us on this week’s podcast as they discuss why fun is an important element of youth ministry. Watch the podcast on YouTube here. About Chuck Peters Chuck Peters is Director […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 377: Setting Up Student Leadership Teams to Grow Youth Ministry 49:25

2y ago49:25

49:25

Join us on this week’s podcast as we discuss how to build and set up student leadership teams to help grow your youth ministry. Watch the podcast on YouTube here. […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 376: How To Be A Better Speaker 39:57

2y ago39:57

39:57

Join Ben, Zac, and Nathan on this week’s podcast as they talk about how to become a better speaker in youth ministry and share what they have learned over the […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 375: Managing Stress in Youth Ministry 31:34

2y ago31:34

31:34

“You are a human and the pastoring that you are doing filters through that. We have to remember that we are a human doing and not just a human being.” […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 374: Upgraded Pastries and Youth Ministry Conferences 25:41

2y ago25:41

25:41

“Try to upgrade your experience whenever you can. That may mean one nice meal or a little nicer hotel, that stays within budget, but this can be great for way […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 373: Pumpkin Spies 45:33

2y ago45:33

45:33

“Ministry doesn’t just happen when you control it” – Zac Workun “If we are not careful we can be calendar busy but not ministerially busy.” – Ben Trueblood About Ben […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 372: Your Role in Girls Ministry 37:49

2+ y ago37:49

37:49

“Girls ministry should always be a freeing thing.” – Amanda Mejias “Healthy ministry is when we are replaceable.” – Corinne Allen About Ben Trueblood Ben serves as the Director of […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 371: Building Real Relationships in Student Ministry 40:49

2+ y ago40:49

40:49

“Growing up friendship was easy but community was hard. True community is a group of people who push you and challenge you and call you up.” – Tega Faafa “Relationships […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 57: Answering God's Call On Your Life 33:31

2+ y ago33:31

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We’re back in the book of Ezra, walking with the exiles who answered the call to return to Jerusalem. For most of them, staying would have been easier. Just like the Jews in the Old Testament it’s easy to stay in our comfort zones, forgetting the privilege of sacrificing for God's call on our lives. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the high …

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Episode 370: Did you know you could bonsai any tree? 42:34

2+ y ago42:34

42:34

“Volunteer recruitment is a premium right now. Spending the final few weeks of the summer focusing on volunteers helps the fall start off feeling really good.” – Ben Trueblood “The […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 56: When God Is Doing A New Thing 33:20

2+ y ago33:20

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It’s all too easy to hang on to the old when God is doing a new thing. In today’s episode, we’re looking at the exiles’ return to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple. Some had hoped God would help them rebuild what they had before. What the people didn’t understand is that God was doing a new thing. Like the exiles, sometimes we look around at what’s…

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Episode 369: Heat Index and a Cold Water Baptism 48:36

2+ y ago48:36

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“Maybe what we see at camp is meant to push our low moments a little bit higher than they were before. Rather than my ministry needs to feel like camp […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 368: Calling out the Called 47:20

2+ y ago47:20

47:20

“Students connect to stories, so share your story about how God called you into ministry.” – Shane Pruitt “Invite people into your calendar to show them what ministry looks like […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 367: Start to Finish, a Conversation with Mark Dance 37:40

2+ y ago37:40

37:40

“We need to talk less and listen more.” – Mark Dance “Time management is a big challenge that needs to be a priority in your life.” – Mark Dance Mark […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 55: The Power of Forgiveness (And Why It's So Hard) 36:17

2+ y ago36:17

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Today we’re talking about the power—and challenge—of forgiveness, and why it’s so essential. Unforgiveness causes division in our relationships, is a strategy of the enemy, and disrupts our intimacy with Christ. On the positive side, Jesus empowers us to forgive, desires that we’re free from bitterness and anger, and loves reconciliation. Also, He …

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Episode 366: Urgent Care 1:06:17

2+ y ago1:06:17

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“When the busy is the result of procrastination or the wrong priorities, it makes it hard to get the rest we need.” – Zac Workun “You are measured by who […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 365: A Conversation with Zach Wyatt 41:46

2+ y ago41:46

41:46

“Finding community with other student pastors is vitally important ” – Zach Wyatt “Student pastors have to focus on more than just their strategic ministry. Their personal walk with The […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 54: When Healing Is Disruptive 29:52

2+ y ago29:52

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Today we’re looking at the liberating healing of Jesus, and how that healing can sometimes be disruptive. Be encouraged, if the healing Jesus is bringing you is uncomfortable or even painful, you’re on the right path. If we’re honest, we often want His healing, but we want it on our terms. In this episode, we’ll confront the ways our unhealthy habi…

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Episode 364: Creating Traditions 47:14

2+ y ago47:14

47:14

“Often students remember serving or time spent in their small group with a leader over coffee or lunch, and it’s those moments that tend to last. What would it look […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 363: A Conversation with Lee Wilson 54:35

2+ y ago54:35

54:35

“Find someone who you can be accountable to who doesn’t care about your title or your past.” – Lee Wilson “My first ministry is my family.” – Lee Wilson Lee […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 53: The Hope Of The Cross 33:54

2+ y ago33:54

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Today we’re looking at the significance of the cross and what it means for us. What specifically did the cross accomplish? Why was it necessary? And what hope does it offer for the present? We’re going to dive in deep (get ready for some big words!) as we talk about how Jesus acted as our substitute, not only taking our sin upon Himself on the cros…

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Episode 362: Oklahoma Crepes 52:37

3y ago52:37

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“If you have to do ministry with less, then you can do a lot with relationships and being people.” – Ben Trueblood “The challenge in ministry beyond what we say […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 361: A Conversation with Curtis Zackery 1:08:00

3y ago1:08:00

1:08:00

“Spiritual disciplines should be intentional, substantial, and sustainable” – Curtis Zackery “Suffering allows us to see who we are now because of what we have experienced.” – Curtis Zackery Curtis Zackery (CZ) is known […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 52: Lessons From The Jungle 32:39

3y ago32:39

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I just returned from the Amazon jungle, where I spent a week with jungle pastors who serve along the Amazon river. I’ll talk about some of the lessons I learned from them in today’s episode. And how they helped me better understand Paul’s encouragement to run our race for the ultimate prize. Their encouragement to us will help us step out of our co…

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Episode 360: A Conversation with Dr. Loritts 1:09:47

3y ago1:09:47

1:09:47

“Ethnic unity can only come through relationships. Proximity creates empathy. ” – Dr. Bryan Loritts Dr. Bryan Loritts (D.Min., Liberty University) is the Teaching Pastor at The Summit Church. An […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 359: A Conversation with Jeff Wallace 1:20:20

3y ago1:20:20

1:20:20

“My mom didn’t want me to have a single story perspective. She wanted me to see the heart of the man before I saw the face of the man.” – […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 51: When God Wants To Do More Than You Hope For 33:23

3y ago33:23

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In today’s episode, we’re looking at the story of a woman in Luke 8 who was healed of a physical illness. But Jesus did more than heal her physically. We’ll leave the details for the podcast, but Jesus stopped (in the middle of a pressing situation) and gave this woman more than she even knew to hope for. Jesus loved her too much to let her settle …

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Episode 358: The Art of Communication 30:29

3y ago30:29

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“You communicate not just from stage but also in the way you write emails, train volunteers, budget, and through many other ways.” – Ben Trueblood About Ben Trueblood Ben serves […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 357: Wake Up Cake 41:02

3y ago41:02

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“There are things that frustrate us that we can’t control but I think even in those areas there are things that we can control. When we get stuck on the […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 356: What’s New? 30:39

3y ago30:39

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“Continue to challenge yourself to do something new. This does not always have to be something brand new but can be tweaking something to make it better.” – Ben Trueblood […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 50: Positioning Your Heart For The New Year 32:44

3y ago32:44

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A new year comes with much to do, plan for, and be excited about. But, at the start of these 365 days, it’s important that we take time to position our hearts before the Lord. It’s easy to focus on all of the doing, but what if we focus on the being—being at the feet of Jesus and listening to what He has to say to us? When we spend time with Him, o…

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Episode 355: Bizzaro World & A Happy New Year 41:55

3y ago41:55

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“We need to help our students fight loneliness for themselves but also understand the loneliness epidemic around to help students engage in a lost world.” – Chad Higgins “Creating a […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 354: Unbound 28:47

3y ago28:47

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“Jesus is not content to let Lazarus live his new life in his grave clothes. What would it look like if we removed the grave clothes from our lives and […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 353: Admin All-Star 31:34

3y ago31:34

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“Your administrative ability will become your lid to effectiveness. Those who are able to push through that administrative barrier, develop their skills, and execute the to-do lists of ministry, are […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 49: Surrendering Your Holiday Expectations 28:45

3y ago28:45

28:45

It’s Christmas time, and we all have expectations this season. Some are material—what gifts are we going to receive? What experiences are we going to have? Some are relational—will we finally get engaged? Will the grandbabies be visiting? Expectations are fine as long as we manage them instead of letting them manage us. If we’re not careful, unmet …

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Episode 352: Leading before you’re ready 36:41

3y ago36:41

36:41

“You don’t have to be an expert on everything, you just need to bring to the table what you are good at.” – Sam Landrith “Learning from mentors, or through […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 351: Student Ministry and Faith Deconstruction 41:56

3y ago41:56

41:56

“Students who have a strong and vibrant faith have a leader who poured into them and invested in them.” – JC Groves “Students need to see faithful adults living out […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 350: Neck Pillow and Witch’s Fingers 47:34

3y ago47:34

47:34

“If you are waiting for the students in the chair to set the energy level for the fun element, it may never come.” Chad Higgins “Is important to connect the […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 349: Contextualizing the Gospel and Youth Culture 43:20

3y ago43:20

43:20

“Contextualization is really about effective communication and making sure what we say is the same thing that is received. I am not changing the message, I am just making sure […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 148: Next Gen Ministry 41:07

3y ago41:07

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“Kids and student ministry leaders need to work together to create a discipleship plan that goes from preschool through high school.” – Crystal Mazzuca “Creating a strategic next gen ministry […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 48: Which Way Will You Weep 33:15

3y ago33:15

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During difficult seasons, we can be tempted to turn back to our old ways of numbing pain. We can begin to question if God is actually good and if he cares about us. But these are not the times to forfeit what we have with Him. These are the times to struggle and weep with our faces pointed toward the Lord, trusting who he is when we can’t see what …

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Episode 347: Out of the Office but in Our Hearts 30:07

3y ago30:07

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“Help your leaders manage their time by not putting too many events on their calendar during busy seasons.” – Ben Trueblood “We need to make sure that we get rest […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 346: Navigating the Holiday Season 23:17

3y ago23:17

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“We need to think about the people we are leading and think about their calendar as well. We may be unintentionally filling the ministry calendar, making it difficult for our […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 345: What Gaming Taught Me About Student Ministry 36:27

3y ago36:27

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“Your mission is unchangeable, but the strategy and how you accomplish the mission can be different. Surround yourself with people who think about things in a different way. There might […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 344: Know Thy Gamer 43:25

3y ago43:25

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“Video games become accessible playgrounds in a world where many physical playgrounds are no longer safe. There are dangers in this digital playground and we need to educate ourselves about […]By Lifeway Students

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Ep 47: Created For A Life Of Goodness 29:38

3y ago29:38

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We’re looking at a life of goodness in today’s Cultivate podcast. If you already feel disqualified or like you’ve totally missed that “good” mark you’re exactly who I hope will join me. Scripture is really interesting on the topic of goodness because in Romans Paul quotes the Old Testament by saying that no one is good, not even one. And yet he’s a…

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Episode 343: Following Jesus in a Digital Age 41:30

3+ y ago41:30

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“We need to peel back the layers of how technology is shaping our world view.” – Jason Thacker “The end of the story is written. Technology might change our world […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 342: Live from a CB Radio 43:59

3+ y ago43:59

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“Communicating with your boss and leaders in their preferred style goes a long way in earning trust and relational credibility with them.” – Ben Trueblood “If we get organized and […]By Lifeway Students

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Episode 341: One Question to Ask Every Parent 36:03

3+ y ago36:03

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“Ask parents this question, how can we partner in how God is working in your teenager?” – Dr. Kara Powell “Parents have more time to influence their kids than youth […]By Lifeway Students