Podcast
SEASON FINALE : Let’s Celebrate!
Tim Sandvall clelebrates our first season with his fellow Awana Missionaries, Hunter Williams, Andrea Perkins, Linnea Sandvall, Scott Conner! The hosts you’ve been listening...
It's time for a new conversation.
Resilient is an honest calling to ask robust questions about the future of faith. It is a timely conversation in the midst of changing cultural landscapes. It is a love letter to the church about the children who will one day lead and minister in the face of cultural adversity.
Resources to equip you.
PodcastBONUS: Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission with Jared Kennedy
On a special episode of the Resilient Disciples Podcast, Melanie Hester is joined by Jenny Smith and Jared Kennedy. Jared Kennedy is a full...
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3 Keys to Discipleship in Your T&T Club
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Linnea Sandvall provides practical tips for leading your T&T Club,...
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Sparks 201: Andrea Perkins
Awana Missionary, Andrea Perkins, answers frequently asked questions by Sparks leaders everywhere! She also gives practical advice about how to lead Sparkies well for...
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Cubbies 201: Marti Chance
Awana Missionary, Marti Chance, breaks down everything Cubbies leaders need to know about before club time, the start of club time, how to end...
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Season 3 Finale: Our North Star with Sam Luce and Matt Markins
Ross Cochran, Sam Luce, and Matt Markins discuss why we need to stay focused on our North Star of child discipleship in order to...
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Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: Phil and Diane Comer (Replay)
Phil and Diane Comer join Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Ross Cochran for a passionate conversation about parenting and the future of the faith....
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Leading Trek and Journey: Middle School and High School Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Andrea Perkins dives into Trek and Journey, and how you...
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George Barna: The “Single Most Important” Investment You Can Make in Your Ministry (REPLAY)
Dr. George Barna and Matt Markins join Ross Cochran to discuss how today’s generation of kids are facing unprecedented circumstances, and how we can...
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Leading T&T: Linnea Sandvall
Linnea Sandvall gives practical wisdom on how to lead your T&T group well. She also gives encouragement to help your kids embrace the reality...
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Discipling During This Cultural Moment: Jon Tyson
Pastor of Church of the City New York, Jon Tyson, is interviewed by President and CEO of Awana, Matt Markins, about discipling kids during...
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Awana Clubs Sparks: Discipleship of Kindergarteners Through 2nd Graders
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Andrea Perkins describes how to make the most out of...
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Reach 30 Million Kids: The Africa School Strategy with Stephen Maphosah
Awana is currently reaching 2.5 million kids in Africa every week with the Gospel. The Lord has made it possible for Stephen Maphosah and...
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Keith Robinson: Preparing Leader’s in Tomorrow’s Needs of Digital Discipleship
Keith Robinson, Senior Associate at the Slingshot Group, shares his perspective and experience on how the church has changed its relationship with technology. Keith...
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Awana Clubs Cubbies: Discipleship of Kids Ages 3-5
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On today’s episode, Marti Chance walks listeners through the value of discipleship of...
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Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: Phil and Diane Comer
Phil and Diane Comer join Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Ross Cochran for a passionate conversation about parenting and the future of the faith....
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BONUS: How to Talk to Kids About the War in Ukraine
Kellie Bartley and Jenny Smith joined Ross Cochran to reflect on how we can talk to kids in our community about the War in...
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Everything You Need to Know About Puggles: Discipleship For Early Childhood & Preschool
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On today’s episode, Hunter Williams walks listeners through what they need to start...
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Street Hymns: How To Help Child Discipleship Happen Everywhere
Mitchell “Street Hymns” West returned to the podcast to discuss his ministry and how he has seen child discipleship happen far outside the realm...
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Your Club Calendar: How to Set Up Your Year for Success
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode of our podcast, Andrea Perkins how to set up your...
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Denise Kjesbo: Family Discipleship Can Happen Anywhere, With Any Kind of Family
Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo returns to the podcast to share perspective on the unique needs and opportunities of family discipleship during this time. She...
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Planning Your Club Night: “There is no perfect way to structure your Club!”
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Linnea Sandvall walks listeners through common ways to structure your...
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Cynthia Dixson: We Disciple Kids… We are NOT Childcare
Cynthia Dixson from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship joined Ross Cochran at the 2021 Child Discipleship Forum to stress the importance of listening to the...
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3 Ways for Your Club Administration to Help Fuel Child Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Andrea Perkins shares how vital the role of a Administrator...
ArticleThe Changing Culture and its Impact on the Future Church
“There’s something going on in culture that will have a substantive impact on the future of that Cubbie today,” said Dr. Ed Stetzer during...
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Pastor Shawn Thornton: The Power of a Loving Caring Adult for Every Child
Senior Pastor Shawn Thornton returns to the podcast to share how his life was impacted by loving caring adults, and how that fuels his...
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3 Tips for Evaluating Your Club and Discipleship in Your Ministry
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Scott Conner shares tips on how you can evaluate your...
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Matt Markins and Mike Handler: “The most effective way to pass on faith is conversation.”
Matt Markins and Mike Handler share how they have seen child discipleship lived out in the lives of their own kids, the kids in...
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Cost, Funding, and Vision for Starting Your Awana Club
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On today’s episode, Hunter Williams walks listeners through what a typical Awana Club...
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Cindy Bultema: Girls Everywhere Meeting The Savior
Cindy Bultema, Executive Director for Girls GEMS Club, joins Ross Cochran to share her own discipleship story and how that fuels her passion for...
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How to Encourage and BLESS Others in Your Ministry
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Becky Sexton provides practical tips on how to be a...
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How to Institute and Uphold a Child Protection Policy
Jeff Dalrymple, Executive Director of the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) returns to the podcast to discuss the critically important work of protecting...
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How to Make Your Game Time GREAT
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams walks through how you can make your Game...
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Mars Ain’t the Kind of Place to Raise Your Kids: Children’s Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture
The following is an excerpt from the talk newly named Awana CEO Matt Markins gave at the Child Discipleship Forum this past fall. In...
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Child Discipleship During and After a Divorce
Tammy Daughtry is the founder of Co-Parenting International, an organization launched in 2003 to help divorced parents raise healthy kids. She is a national...
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Seven Tips for Your Large Group Time
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Linnea Sandvall walks through a typical Awana Club night and...
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Child Discipleship One Kid At a Time
Gina Spivey, Pastor of Special Abilities at Calvary Community Church, returns to the podcast to discuss how Covid-19 has impacted the families she serves...
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Leading a Fruitful Small Group
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Becky Sexton walks listeners through a typical small group and...
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Helping Teens Navigate Their World: 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity
Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin joined Ross Cochran to discuss her latest book, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask and Answer about Christianity, as well as...
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Ongoing Leadership Training and Development Focused on Child Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams shares the value of ongoing leadership training, and...
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Honesty and Silliness: The Keys to Youth Discipleship
Marlon Washington is the Youth Pastor at Chicago Hope Church on the West Side of Chicago. Marlon shares how he has seen resilient discipleship...
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Protecting Our Kids
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. Andrea Perkins shares the critical need to implement, and enforce child protection policies...
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Preteen Mental Health: Paula Mazza Helps Start the Conversation
Paula Mazza is the Director of Children’s and Preteen Ministries at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. Paula has been servinging in preteen ministries for over...
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Making Resilient Disciples Amid Cultural Shifts
In order to make resilient disciples amid cultural shifts, “every church culture needs more than people who can analyze the times,” said Awana CEO...
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Awana Clubs Myths and FAQs
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode Linnea Sandvall breaks down a few of the most common...
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Preteen Discipleship: Let Go and Run Beside
Author Sean Sweet shares practical wisdom with Ross Cochran on how to effectively disciple the preteens in your community. This conversation was recorded live...
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Why Awana?
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams helps listeners understand how Awana can help them...
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Kara Powell: 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager
Kara Powell, Executive Director of Fuller Youth Institute, joins Matt Markins and Ross Cochran for a conversation all about youth discipleship. They also discuss...
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A Heart for Evangelism for the Kids (and Adults) in Your Community
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Scott Conner wraps up our series on “Awana Fundamentals” by...
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When You Give Nov. 30, Your Gift Will Be Doubled
Today’s children are in a faith crisis, growing up in a very different world – a post-Christian world – compared to the one that...
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Child Discipleship beyond Sunday Morning
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams shares the value of midweek child discipleship; whether...
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It’s Discipling Christians More Than the Church; What Can the Church Do About It?
We are not unlike first century Romans in the Old Testament, Darren Whitehead, founder and lead pastor of Church of the City said, referring...
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Communicating Resilient Child Discipleship to Your Senior Leadership
Hosted by Melanie Hester, Matt Markins helps us discover effective ways to communicate the post-Christian culture we are living in to the leadership teams...
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Connecting Your Club to the Rest of Your Church
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode Scott Conner walks through practical ideas on how to build...
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Lifelong Commitment to Immersion in Culture, Optimism for the Future, and Unity vs Uniformity
Eli Bonilla Jr and Ross Cochran discuss raising and discipling kids in today’s moment, what it’s like to have connections to a variety of...
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Your Best Gift is Needed to Reach More Kids With the Gospel
Have you noticed the changes taking place all around us? The changes within our churches and perhaps even in our homes? The changes you...
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How to Recruit and Retain Leaders That are Passionate for Child Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Scott Conner walks through how to cast vision for child...
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Child Discipleship, Battle Rap, and the Power of Music
Mitchell “Street Hymns” West shares his story, his ministry, and how he is using his artistic gifts to help disciple children who have gone...
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Partner with Parents in Discipleship: Know Them, Support Them, and Invite Them In!
Tyler O’Donnell shares practical wisdom on how we can all establish more meaningful relationships with the parents in our ministry for the sake of...
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Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Through Music
Dave and Jess of Doorpost Songs share how their ministry is built on discipleship, what it’s like to engage in ministry as a family,...
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Become: Help Your Child Take Their Faith and “Make it into Action”
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Become and our resilient child discipleship philosophy. Learn...
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Help Your Child Believe
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Becky Sexton walks through what “Believing” actually looks like for...
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Spiritual Conversations with Children
Author and Spiritual Director Lacy Finn Borgo shares her perspective on spiritual formation in kids with Ross Cochran. Lacy and Ross discuss how parents...
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5 Ways to Help Kids Feel Like They Belong in Your Ministry
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Tyler O’Donnell offers five ways to help kids feel like...
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Limited By Labels: Helping Kids Learn Who They Are in Christ
The Resilient Disciples Podcast has been featuring the faculty of the Child Discipleship Forum. Recent guest and speaker is Eli Bonilla, National Millennial Director...
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How to Create a Culture of Worship and Spiritual Formation
Yancy and Jim Wideman join Ross Cochran to share perspective on the power of worship and the value of spiritual formation in children. Learn...
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The 3Bs of Resilient Child Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of the 3B resilient child...
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Child Discipleship: There’s a Seat at the Table for Everyone
Valerie Bell and Ross Cochran reflect on the experience of the 2021 Child Discipleship Forum. Valerie shares how pastors, kidmin leaders, and parents can...
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2021 Child Discipleship Forum Storytelling Videos
The 2021 Child Discipleship Forum was a chance for a community of people to come together who are focused on resilient child discipleship. We...
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How to Share the Gospel with Kids
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Becky Sexton explains how the Gospel is at the heart...
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Discipleship After the Forum
Mark Matlock, President at Wisdom Works and Co-Author of Faith For Exiles, and Ross Cochran discuss where leaders can begin to take steps with...
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Welcome Back to Discipleship
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Scott Conner provides vision for the upcoming club year by...
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BONUS: Discipleship and Incarnation
Sam Luce, Family Pastor at Redeemer Church in New York, and Ross Cochran discuss what the church is able to offer kids through child...
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Journey: Discipleship for High Schoolers
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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Trek: Discipleship for Middle Schoolers
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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T&T: Discipleship for Children in 3rd-6th Grade
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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Sparks: Discipleship for Children in Kindergarten Through 2nd Grade
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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Cubbies: Discipleship for Children Ages 3-5
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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Puggles: Discipleship for Children Ages 2-3
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Hunter Williams provides an overview of all that Awana offers...
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The Awana Clubs Podcast
Coming September 14th, The Awana Clubs Podcast! New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Generation Z: How the Church is “Woefully Unprepared” and What You Can Do About It
David Kinnaman, President of Barana Group, shares his passion for reaching Generation Z and beyond with the hope of the Gospel in a wide-ranging...
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BONUS: Helping Kids Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture
Gabe Lyons, Founder and President of Q Ideas, joined Ross Cochran and Melanie Hester for an honest conversation about the world our kids are...
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How Leaders Can “Truly Partner Well” With Parents
What do kids need to set them up for a lifetime of knowing, loving, serving and following Jesus? They need partners – loving, caring...
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Wess Stafford and the Most Important Work on the Planet
Wess Stafford is the president emeritus of Compassion International, which serves nearly 2 million children in 26 countries. He joined Compassion in 1977, as...
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BONUS: Prayers for Afghanistan
Author and Humanitarian John Weaver joined Ross Cochran to share his heart for the people of Afghanistan, reflect on current events in the region,...
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Moving From Desperation and “Filling Slots” to Resilient Child Discipleship
Leah Broach is the National Director of Alliance Kids for the Christian & Missionary Alliance. She works with leaders across the United States to...
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Mind the Gap: Partner with Families for the Sake of Discipleship–Replay
Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo shares practical wisdom on how churches and families can work together to disciple the children in their communities. We also...
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A Revelation 7 Vision for Ministry and Culture
Eli Bonilla and Ross Cochran share an honest conversation around race, what we pass on to the next generation, and how the church can...
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Holy Sexuality and How to Disciple Kids Through Today’s World
Dr. Christopher Yuan taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five...
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Why You Should Go to The Child Discipleship Forum
Matt Markins, Melanie Hester, and Samuel Porcha joined Ross Cochran to share what they are looking forward to about the Child Discipleship Forum. We...
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BONUS: The 2021 Child Discipleship Forum
Check out the video referenced in this podcast, and Save your seat today for the 2021 Child Discipleship Forum. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your...
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George Barna: The “Single Most Important” Investment You Can Make in Your Ministry
Dr. George Barna and Matt Markins join Ross Cochran to discuss how today’s generation of kids are facing unprecedented circumstances, and how we can...
VideoResilient: Reaching the Least and the Lost
What does it mean to reach kids with Gospel in a way that leads them to love Jesus for the entirety of their lives? Resilient is a full-feature documentary, releasing in 2021 that will explore what it means to make resilient disciples with a faith that lasts.
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Navigating Tough Topics with Kids
When A Kid Brings Up A Difficult Topic It can be hard to know what to say when a kid in our group brings...
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Cultural Christianity and Coming Back From the COVID-19 Crisis
Matt Markins, President of Awana, as well as Chase Baker, Family Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church join Ross Cochran for a conversation about...
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The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Kids and Families (Part Two)
Brendan Bell, MA, LCPC, is the Executive Director and one of the owners of Cherry Hill Counseling, a multi-site practice in the Northwest suburbs...
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The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Kids and Families (Part One)
Brendan Bell, MA, LCPC, is the Executive Director and one of the owners of Cherry Hill Counseling, a multi-site practice in the Northwest suburbs...
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Wisdom with Technology and What You Need to Know About Your Teens’ Life Online
Amy Crouch grew up with minimal technology, is now a student at Cornell University, and she’s an author! In My Tech-Wise Life, she and...
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Technology, Wisdom, and How to Help Your Kids Navigate a “Post Truth” World
Brett McCracken is the Senior Editor for The Gospel Coalition and an author of several books, including The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in...
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Why I’m Excited for the Child Discipleship Forum
I’m an expecting dad, roughly a month away from our first born’s anticipated arrival. Despite the numerous Zoom classes, workbooks and conversations about childbirth...
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Screens Disciple, and What You Can Do About It
Mark Matlock, coauthor of Faith for Exiles, shares how the prevalence of technology in our lives has led to the “screen discipleship” of our...
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Child Discipleship and the Theology of Technology
Jeremy Pettitt is a communications professor at Moody Bible Institute and has a Masters in Communication and Culture. He and Ross Cochran discuss what...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Resurrection Sunday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Holy Saturday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Good Friday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Maundy Thursday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Holy Wednesday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Holy Tuesday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Holy Monday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Journey Through Holy Week: Palm Sunday
A Journey Through Holy Week is a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never...
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Coming Back to Different: Engaging Volunteers For Your Ministry Year
On Tuesday March 23rd Awana hosted an online event, Coming Back to Different, featuring a panel of children’s ministry experts. Moderated by Ross Cochran,...
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Reframing Discipleship for Every Child’s Abilities
Pastor Gina Spivey shares about her experience leading Calvary Community Church’s Special Abilities Ministry. Gina and Ross Cochran discuss why making the Gospel accessible...
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Parenting Your Kids to Have a Heart For the Nations
Brian and Sandee Rhodes have served in a variety of roles around the world with Awana. They shared how child discipleship played out in...
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Certainty in the Gospel During an Uncertain Time in Latin America
Miguel Perez, Awana Global Vice President for Latin America, shares why empowering leaders is at the core of his ministry. He and Ross Cochran...
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Journey Through Holy Week
We invite you to listen to a special edition of the Resilient Disciples Podcast each day of this week. You can listen below, or...
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Child Discipleship is Changing the Culture of Central Europe
Andi Dina is serving in Central Europe with Awana and he joined Ross Cochran to share how child discipleship is changing the countries he...
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Africa Amid the Pandemic: Families Are On Fire for God
Stephen Maphosah, Global Vice President of Awana serving in Africa, shares how child discipleship has been impacted by the coronavirus and how all leaders...
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Participate in Child Discipleship All Around the World
Child discipleship has been impacted by the coronavirus all over the world. On this episode, Gajendra Tamang and Steve Cohoon share perspective from around...
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Reinvest in Your Reach: Discipling Generation Z Before They Walk Away
Mark Matlock, coauthor of Faith for Exiles, and Ross Cochran discuss the latest research regarding youth discipleship and how the church can best serve...
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Mind the Gap: Partner with Families for the Sake of Discipleship
Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo shares practical wisdom on how churches and families can work together to disciple the children in their communities. We also...
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Discipleship and Kids with Disabilities
Shawn Thornton, Senior Pastor at Calvary Community Church, shares his passion for caring for people with disabilities. Shawn and Ross Cochran discuss there that...
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Re-engaging Child Discipleship in 2021
Matt Markins, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Awana, shares his thoughts on the current state of child discipleship at the start a new...
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The Wonder of Advent: Week Four
Has anything stopped you in your tracks recently? For every moment that catches our eye, there are hundreds of beautiful moments that go unnoticed...
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Investing in the Future of the Faith
Charlie and his wife Nettie are remarkably generous and have been focused on child discipleship for their entire lives. They are part of the...
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The Wonder of Advent: Week Three
Has anything stopped you in your tracks recently? For every moment that catches our eye, there are hundreds of beautiful moments that go unnoticed...
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Child Discipleship: MOPS Starts with Moms
MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers) exists to help support and connect moms. Sherri Crandall, MOPS Vice President of Global Ministry and Leadership Experience, and...
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The Wonder of Advent: Week Two
Has anything stopped you in your tracks recently? For every moment that catches our eye, there are hundreds of beautiful moments that go unnoticed...
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Combating the Darkness: How to Help Prevent Child Abuse
Theresa Sidebotham ESQ, founding attorney at Telios Law PLLC, works closely with the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. This group of outside experts help...
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The Wonder of Advent: Week One
Has anything stopped you in your tracks recently? For every moment that catches our eye, there are hundreds of beautiful moments that go unnoticed...
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Because of the Gospel
During 2020, have you found yourself feeling discouraged or distracted? No wonder! What were normal events just last year have become almost impossible due...
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Discipleship in the Foster Care Community
Arthur C Woods joins Ross Cochran to discuss the Biblical mandate to care for the most vulnerable in our society, and how that relates...
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Help Your Kids After You Help Yourself
How do I, as a parent, get past my own anger, disappointment, or frustration in order to get to the point that I can...
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BONUS: Our “First Citizenship” is in Heaven
Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect...
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Christ Before Culture
Samuel Porcha, Director of Child Discipleship for the Southside of Chicago at Awana, shares how important it is for the church to be unified...
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Managing Volunteers: How to Lead Leaders
Kris Smoll, Executive Director of Discovery Land Ministries, leads the children’s ministry team at Appleton Alliance Church in Wisconsin. She joined Ross Cochran along...
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“It’s not about the program, it’s about the relationship!”
Terri Youngblood and Catherine Tucker lead Awana at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and they joined Ross Cochran and Melanie Hester for a conversation about...
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Care for Those who Care for Kids
Awana US Latino Director Abel Lopez discusses the future of child discipleship, why caring for pastors is so important during this pandemic, and the...
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Now More Than Ever, We Need the Church
Mom, COVID has changed everything and it makes me sad. My 7-year-old son shared this with me through tears last week when, once again,...
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5 Ways to Form Community in a Pandemic
It feels like forever since Covid-19 changed all of our lives in March and we’ve been able to meet in person for club, Sunday...
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The “Now Generation” of Disciples
Tom Chilton, Awana Area Director of Europe and North Asia, and Ross Cochran discuss the state of Christianity in Europe and the flawed thinking...
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What About The Kids?
Valerie Bell shares what she believes to be the most important question we all could be asking ourselves in the wake of COVID-19. Valerie...
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BONUS: Josiah Williams
Josiah Williams is a Christian Hip-Hop artist and a disciple of Jesus. Josiah and Ross Cochran discuss the power of loving caring adults and...
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A Year Off Discipleship
Around the country, church leaders have been wrestling for months – what do we do about ministry programming this fall?! With constantly-shifting tides related...
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Leading Kids In the Midst of Change
When I was a kid, I hated change. I loved being able to know what to expect, I loved routine, and when that was...
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Introducing brite* (Part Two)
We are so excited to introduce brite*, a new digital weekend curriculum from Awana. On this episode we dive into the specifics of brite*...
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BONUS: Amelia’s Story of Resilient Child Discipleship
Nine-year-old Amelia, along with her mom Celeste and her ministry leader Becky Friberg, joined Ross Cochran to share how their ministry and parenting have...
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Introducing brite* (Part One)
If you trust Awana, you’re going to want to check out brite*. The new digital weekend curriculum is built on the resilient child discipleship...
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How to Be a Fire Carrier
As part of a larger conversation from 2017, Valerie Bell shared the vision and mission for all of us to be “fire carriers” for...
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BONUS: Joanna’s Story of Resilient Child Discipleship During the Coronavirus
Ten-year-old Joanna and her mom Pricilla joined their Awana Leader Asha to share the story of what discipleship has looked like during the time...
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Leading Your Team Through Coronavirus
Kris Smol, Executive Director of Discovery Land Ministries, leads the children’s ministry team at Appleton Alliance Church in Wisconsin. She joined Ross Cochran along...
- Podcast
Introducing Awana Clubs in the New Normal
Matt Markins and Melanie Hester join Ross Cochran to preview the upcoming event, Awana Clubs in the New Normal. Join us live at 1...
- Podcast
BONUS: The Power of Prayer During a Pandemic
How would you respond if your church was directly impacted by the coronavirus? In this episode you’ll meet Dan, whose church was impacted by...
- Podcast
The Power of Loving Caring Adults
Melanie Hester and Brian Rhodes return to the podcast to share their own experience and insight into the power of surrounding children with a...
- Podcast
A Story of Resilient Child Discipleship During The Pandemic
Ross Cochran connected with Stephanie, Awana leader Mary Jane, and eight-year-old Cooper. Cooper is a great example of what it means to be a...
- Article
Simple Tips for Sharing the Gospel with Kids
The gospel is at the very heart of the Awana ministry. We’re committed to proclaiming and living out the gospel with clarity and urgency....
- Article
Shifting from Volunteers to Leaders
We need to stop just volunteering and start leading. David’s story is an outstanding example of a loving, caring adult whose relationship went far...
- Podcast
Sharing Perspective on Racial Injustice (Part 2)
Samuel Porcha and Matt Markins continue their conversation on how parents and church leaders can guide the children in their life through talking about...
- Podcast
Sharing Perspective on Racial Injustice (Part 1)
Samuel Porcha and Matt Markins open a conversation on how parents and church leaders can guide the children in their life through talking about...
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Protecting Our Kids: The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention
Jeff Dalrymple, Executive Director of The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention, joined Ross Cochran and Kevin White, the Chief Operating Officer at Awana for...
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How to Prioritize Resilient Discipleship
Taylor and Leah Baugh join Ross Cochran and Awana Missionary Brian Lunger. Taylor and Leah are part of a military family, and have lived...
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A Love Letter to the Greatest Generation of Disciples
In this two part episode, Valerie Bell shares a vision of the “greatest generation of disciples ever” that was originally heard during the Make...
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Resilient Discipleship Through a Screen
Chris Marchand returns to the podcast to discuss what discipleship looks like in an era of social distancing and in an increasingly screen dependent...
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Resilient Discipleship in Digital Babylon
As part of the Make Resilient Disciples Online Experience, Mark Matlock shared research behind his book, Faith for Exiles, and shares a path forward...
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How to Start Family Ministry at Home
Jim Wideman is a pioneer in children’s ministry who has been faithfully serving for decades. He and Ross Cochran discuss the current state of...
- Podcast
Postponed Gatherings Don’t Change Our Mission
Jeff Gilpin is an Awana Missionary serving in the Nevada area alongside his wife Judy. When the Coronavirus first began to change our lives,...
- Podcast
A Legacy of Resilient Discipleship
Melanie Hester and Brian Rhodes return to the podcast with a conversation all about resilient child discipleship! These two individuals have seen the fruits...
- Podcast
Practitioners & Parents Working Together to Make Resilient Disciples
Dr. Josh Mulvihill from Renewanation and Ross Cochran discuss how a church revival can start in the children’s ministry and how KidMin leaders and...
- Podcast
Introducing the Make Resilient Disciples Online Experience
Mark Matlock and Matt Markins connected with Ross Cochran to preview the upcoming event, Make Resilient Disciples Online Experience. Check out this conversation to...
- Podcast
How the Whole Church Can Embrace Resilient Child Discipleship
Shawn Thornton, Senior Pastor at Calvary Community Church, joins Valerie Bell and Ross Cochran to discuss how he measures the pulse of his church...
- Podcast
Fans vs Followers: How to Pass on a Legacy of Faith
Melanie Hester and Ross Cochran have a practical conversation on how children’s ministry leaders can raise resilient disciples instead of creating “fans” of entertaining...
- Podcast
Leadership During a Pandemic
Teasa Northern, Outreach Coordinator and Minister to Women at Grace Covenant Church in Virginia joined Valerie Bell to share how her ministry has adapted...
- Article
Hope in the Time of COVID-19
Well, I think I’ll just come out and say it. Easter was a little more than what we have usually made it through the...
- Article
A Love Story of a Different Kind
Recently my sister-in-law, Kim, was called to the front lines. I still remember the first time I met Kim. She was my older brother’s...
- Podcast
Resilient Child Discipleship: A New Way to Measure Success
Sam Luce, a children’s pastor and children’s ministry thought leader from New York, joined Matt Markins for an honest conversation on the current state...
- Podcast
Easter in Place
Catherine McNeil and Ross Cochran discuss an unprecedented Holy Week, parenting during the Coronavirus, and Catherine’s latest blog for Awana, “Five Ways to Easter...
- Podcast
Raising the Greatest Generation of Disciples
Valerie Bell, Matt Markins, and Mike Handler all connected with Ross Cochran to discuss how, even during a pandemic, we can be raising the...
- Podcast
Moving Ministry From the Trained Professional to the Average Parent
Michael Handler, Chief Communications Officer at Awana, joined Host Ross Cochran to reflect on how he and his family are dealing with the Coronavirus....
- Article
Then Came COVID-19 … And Then Came the Greatest Generation of Disciples
Not too long ago, we had our plans in place. Spring breaks. Work goals. Ministry objectives. And then came COVID-19.
- Podcast
Resilient Disciple Makers: The Greatest Gift We Can Give This Generation
Ed Gossien, Vice President of US Field Operations at Awana, joined host Ross Cochran via Zoom to discuss his beliefs on what God is...
- Article
What to Do After You Watch Resilient: Reaching the Least and the Lost
So you’ve watched the 20-minute trailer for Resilient: Reaching the Least and the Lost, our in-progress documentary exploring what it means to make resilient disciples with a faith that lasts. But now what? What should you do?
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How to Show the World the Hope of Jesus Amid a Pandemic
Dr. Sean McDowell joined Matt Markins, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Awana, for a wide ranging conversation with host Ross Cochran. Dr. Sean...
- Article
Music Gives: Gifting Songs to Our Children
Some of my earliest memories are of my mother and I riding in her itty-bitty Plymouth Horizon. Do you remember this car? Who knew...
- Article
Resilient Families Discipleship Resources
Need direction for in-home discipleship? Click for free discipleship resources for churches and families.
- Podcast
Resilient Discipleship During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Valerie Bell, Chris Marchand, and Kristin Thompson joined Ross Cochran for a conversation on how to help our children during this uncertain time. We...
- Article
How to Move Away From Useless Faith
Walking through the streets of Chicago, one could be swept away by the sights, the smell of the famous Chicago style pizza and keeping...
- Podcast
How to Help Our Kids Deal with Fears Surrounding COVID-19
Awana CEO Valerie Bell joined Host Ross Cochran via phone to discuss her perspective on how to help our children during this uncertain time....
- Podcast
Coronavirus Response: Questions, Encouragement, and Faith over Fear!
This is a statement from Awana CEO Valerie Bell, Awana Chief Communications Officer Mike Handler, and Awana Vice President of Partner Solutions at Awana...
- Article
We Believe the Future of Faith is brite*
Hey Children’s ministry leader: You love what you do, and you need tools to help maximize the time that kids spend in church. Research...
- Article
A brite* Field Test: How Our Weekend Curriculum Was Developed
As part of our brite* kids curriculum development process, we knew that it was imperative to conduct a field test with churches throughout the...
- Podcast
Make an Eternal Impact: How to Finish Your Ministry Year Well
Experienced KidMin leaders Kristin Thompson, Melanie Hester, Kellie Bartley, and Kirsten Hitchcock all share their expert insight on how local practitioners can finish their...
- Podcast
Wess Stafford and Valerie Bell: Child Advocates, The “Dream of 2050,” and “Loving People to Jesus”
Wess Stafford, President Emeritus of Compassion International, joined Valerie Bell, CEO of Awana, for the latest episode of the Resilient Disciples Podcast! Along with...
- Podcast
Early Childhood: Ministering to Preschool and Younger
Dr. John and Kim Walton discuss how to apply their book, The Bible Story Handbook, to kids within early childhood. If you desire to...
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: The Bible Story Handbook
Dr John H Walton Ph.D. and Kim E Walton join the Resilient Disciples podcast to discuss The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching...
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Resilient Child Discipleship Roundtable (Part Two)
Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church is now available! Valerie Bell, Matt Markins, Chris Marchand, and Mike Handler all joined Host Ross...
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Resilient Child Discipleship Roundtable (Part One)
Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church is now available! Valerie Bell, Matt Markins, Chris Marchand, and Mike Handler all joined...
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Belong
Chris Marchand returns to the podcast to begin to dive into the “3B” philosophy of Belong, Believe, and Become. Today’s conversation is all about...
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Belong, Believe, Become
Matt Markins, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Awana, returns to the podcast to discuss the "why" behind resilient child discipleship.
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: What Gives You Hope?
Episode Six of the Resilient Disciples Podcast with Kristin Thompson, Kirsten Hitchcock, and Samuel Porcha
- Article
You Are a Fire Carrier
In Cormac McCarthy’s novel, No Country for Old Men, Sheriff Bell remembers that his father would carry the embers from the campfire in one camp to the next in an animal horn. It was a tradition passed to the cowboys from the Native Americans.
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Children’s Pastors Conference Recap
Kristin Thompson, Samuel Porcha, and Kirsten Hitchcock on the Resilient Disciples Podcast discussing what comes next after the Children's Pastors Conference.
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Michael Handler
Michael Handler joins the Resilient Disciples Podcast for a conversation about the future of the church.
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast: Chris Marchand
Episode Three of the Resilient Disciples Podcast: Chris Marchand, Vice President of Partner Solutions at Awana
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast Episode Two: Matt Markins
Episode Two of the Resilient Disciples Podcast: Awana's President and Chief Strategy Officer Matt Markins
- Podcast
Resilient Disciples Podcast Episode One: Valerie Bell
Episode One of the Resilient Disciples Podcast featuring Valerie Bell
- Article
Kids Need Spine and Heart: The Outlook for Kids from Resilient Child Discipleship
Think of the kids in your church. These children we love will be the church of the year 2050.
- Article
How to Ensure Every Child’s Unique Discipleship Pathway
As we prepare today’s kids to lead the church of 2050, what if we designed a new system that put each child on his or her own unique discipleship pathway?
- Article
How To Inspire Fully Engaged Child Disciple Makers
One loving, caring adult engaged in the life of a child can dramatically increase a child’s long-term probability for success.
- Article
How to Match Your System to Your Philosophy
Are we talking about the systems of the past? Systems of the present? Or the systems we need to build the disciples who will lead the church of 2050?
- Article
How to Develop a “Kid-Focused” Philosophy
Are we programming for the immediate, or prioritizing for the future?
- Article
Noteworthy Research Behind Belong, Believe, Become
As child disciple-makers, we need to step back and ask ourselves, “Is our current strategy and philosophy going to nurture and influence resilient disciples who will lead the church in the year 2050?”
- Article
The Biblical Basis for Belong, Believe, Become
As child disciple-makers, we need to step back and ask ourselves, “Is our current strategy and philosophy going to nurture and influence resilient disciples who will lead the church in the year 2050?”
- Article
Why Children Need the Church
This is why, though parents are important, even primary, in the spiritual direction and discipleship of their children, they are not “only” or even enough. Children may grow in the soil of their parents’ faith, but they need light and air and more.
- Article
The Science of Resilience: Why Kids Get Back Up
Why is it that some kids experience adverse conditions, yet they get back up?
- Article
Dear Disciple Maker
You are more important than you know. These children are growing up and soon will forget your name. But when they think of God’s love . . . to them it looks a lot like you.
- Article
A Shifting Landscape: The Challenges That Lead to the Need for a New Approach to Child Discipleship
Today’s church kids are growing up in both a secular and church culture which is unlike the cultures in which most adults grew up. More importantly, the culture kids are experiencing is unlike the ones that are to come.
- Article
Why do we have a children’s ministry?
The question, “Did you have fun?” is not a terrible question. It’s just not the most important or the final question.
- Article
Could You Be the Most Important Factor in the Life of the Kids You Know?
The #1 outcome in predicting whether a child is going to do well is not education, it’s not money, and it’s not home. It’s whether or not they have an adult to put their arm around their shoulders and say, “I’ll walk this walk with you.”
- Article
A Letter to Today’s Child
Dear child, You are little for such a short time. But, when you grow up and think back on your childhood, we hope some of your earliest memories are about us, the church.
- Article
5 Goals for Resilient Child Discipleship in Your Church and Mine
You and I have a vision for what we want the church to be, but is it possible to predict the kind of leadership...
- Article
6 Traits of Remarkable Leaders
Leaders are everywhere. But what makes some leaders remarkable? 1. Anticipating Remarkable leaders can sense your needs before you even have to say anything. Anticipation is...
Featured Podcasts
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SEASON FINALE : Let’s Celebrate!
Tim Sandvall clelebrates our first season with his fellow Awana Missionaries, Hunter Williams, Andrea Perkins, Linnea Sandvall, Scott Conner! The hosts you’ve been listening...
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BONUS: Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission with Jared Kennedy
On a special episode of the Resilient Disciples Podcast, Melanie Hester is joined by Jenny Smith and Jared Kennedy. Jared Kennedy is a full...
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3 Keys to Discipleship in Your T&T Club
Awana Clubs is the midweek discipleship solution from Awana Clubs International. On this episode, Linnea Sandvall provides practical tips for leading your T&T Club,...
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