Shows
Kids Ministry Answers010: How to Get Some Rest!Rest can feel surprisingly difficult in ministry—especially when the work never really slows down. In this crossover episode, Brooklyn from Youth Ministry Answers joins Jason and Dr. Yulee Lee from the Stuff You Can Use team to talk about why rest often feels risky for kids and youth pastors, and how unrest can show up beneath exhaustion, overwhelm, or transition. Ask a Question: Have a kids or youth ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!...
2026-01-271h 06
Kids Ministry Answers009: 5 Tips for Recruiting Parent VolunteersIf you’ve ever looked at your volunteer schedule and thought, We need more help, you’re not alone. In this episode, Linda and Jason sit down with Kegan DeWitt to walk through five simple, practical ways to recruit parent volunteers for kids ministry.Ask a Question: Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, lead...
2026-01-2053 min
Kids Ministry Answers008: Let's Prep for VBS!VBS season has a way of sneaking up on you. In this episode, we’re joined by Emily Nguyen to talk through how to prep for VBS in a way that’s thoughtful, strategic, and actually doable.Together, we walk through how to set clear goals for your VBS, simplify your planning, recruit and care for volunteers, and make sure families actually hear about it. We also talk about partnering with parents, other churches, and your community so VBS isn’t just a fun week—but something that sticks.Ask a Question:Have a kids m...
2026-01-0646 min
Kids Ministry Answers007: Merry Christmas from KMA!Merry Christmas from the Kids Ministry Answers team! In this short holiday episode, Linda and Jason take a moment to say thank you, wish you a merry Christmas, and share a quick preview of what’s coming up next on the podcast.Whether you’re wrapping up a busy season of ministry or finally getting a chance to rest, we hope you’re able to slow down, celebrate, and enjoy time with the people you love. We’ll be back soon with more practical conversations and ideas for kids ministry leaders.Ask a Question:Have a...
2025-12-2301 min
Kids Ministry Answers006: Our 10 Best Christmas IdeasChristmas is a huge moment in kids ministry, and sometimes you just need a few fresh ideas to keep things fun, meaningful, and memorable. In this episode, Linda and Jason share ten creative Christmas ideas from the Stuff You Can Use team—simple, affordable, and totally doable no matter your ministry size. From cozy events to high-energy games to activities that bring families together, this episode is packed with inspiration for the season.Ask a Question:Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your qu...
2025-12-0842 min
Kids Ministry Answers005: Creative Ways to Celebrate Your TeamVolunteers are the heart of your kids ministry — but celebrating them consistently (and creatively) can be tough. In this special crossover episode, Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use, joins Linda and special co-host Damean Easter of the Youth Ministry Answers podcast to share practical and meaningful ways to appreciate your team all year long. You’ll learn how to celebrate volunteers for what they do and for who they are — without breaking your budget or burning yourself out. What We Cover:How to celebrate volunteers annually, monthly, and weeklyCreative ideas that build culture (not just hy...
2025-11-2553 min
Kids Ministry Answers004: 4 Fun Ways to Memorize ScriptureScripture memorization doesn’t have to feel boring or forced. In this episode, Jason and Linda share fun and practical ways to help kids memorize Bible verses — and actually enjoy it. You’ll learn how to make Scripture stick through creativity, repetition, and play. What We Cover:Setting realistic expectations for Scripture memorizationTurning Bible memory into a game kids loveBuilding repetition into your rhythm so Scripture lastsAsk a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe...
2025-11-0737 min
Kids Ministry Answers003: How to Better Connect with ParentsParents can be the hardest group to engage—and the most important. In this conversation, Linda and Jason share a simple, relational strategy to move from “I hope parents show up” to “we earned their trust.” You’ll get practical ideas you can calendar, repeat, and scale in any context. What We Cover:Why you should host parent-specific eventsHow often to communicate with parentsWhy you should spend time with parents in your ministryAsk a Question: Got a question about parents, volunteers, or teaching? Send it at kma.show—yours might be featured in a future episod...
2025-10-2728 min
Kids Ministry Answers002: How to Keep Kids' Attention!In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Linda and Jason talk about one of the biggest challenges in kids ministry—keeping kids’ attention. They’ll unpack how to move beyond just entertaining kids and instead help them listen, reflect, and respond to what they’re learning about God.What We Cover:The importance of a structureAdding variety and creativity so kids stay engagedBuilding a weekly rhythm that helps kids listen, reflect, and respondAsk a Question: Got a question about kids ministry, teaching, or volunteers? Send it in at kma.show — your quest...
2025-10-2722 min
Kids Ministry Answers001: 4 Ways to Re-Inspire Your VolunteersVolunteers are the heart of every kids ministry, but how do you get them energized and inspired for serving? On this episode, Linda and Jason share a few a few tips to get your team excited and ready for what's ahead. What We Cover:Why volunteer excitement matters for your kids ministryHow to plan a Volunteer Kick-Off that builds energy and connectionWhat to include so your team leaves inspired and equipped for the year aheadAsk a Question: Got a question about leading your kids ministry or training volunteers? Visit kma.s...
2025-10-2724 min
Grow Your Ministry Podcast24 | Four Spiritual HabitsWelcome to episode 24 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright. If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, you probably have a few spiritual habits that help you grow — things like reading the Bible, praying, or going to church. But for kids and teenagers, those ideas don’t always come naturally. They’re still figuring out what faith looks like in their everyday lives. In this episode, Danny and Jason talk about what spiritual growth really looks like for the next generation and how you can help kids and teenagers develop lifelong spiritual...
2025-10-1522 minGrow Your Ministry Podcast22 | Make Games from ScratchWelcome to episode 22 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright. In this episode, Jason dives into one of the most practical (and fun) parts of kids and youth ministry: games. Games aren’t just a way to burn energy. They help kids and teenagers build friendships, connect with leaders, and create memories together. But designing great games takes more than grabbing the first idea that comes to mind. Jason walks through how to choose a theme, build with the right structure, and test your games so they actually work with your group.W...
2025-09-1013 minGrow Your Ministry Podcast12 | Plan an Event from Start to FinishWelcome to Episode 12 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright, Creative Lead! In this episode, Jason walks through a step-by-step guide to planning ministry events that are fun, meaningful, and stress-free. Whether you’re organizing a small gathering or a large-scale event, you’ll learn how to set clear goals, create engaging themes, and manage logistics to ensure everything runs smoothly. What We Cover:The four key phases of event planning.How to clarify your event’s goal and structure it for maximum impact.Creative ways to develop an engaging theme and immersiv...
2025-01-2930 minGrow Your Ministry Podcast09 | Debriefing Your EventsWelcome to Episode 9 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright, Creative Lead! In this episode, Jason unpacks one of the most important (but often overlooked) parts of hosting an event: the debrief. You’ve pulled off a successful event, taken a nap, and now it’s time to figure out… what would we do differently next time? Jason shares five essential questions to help you and your team learn, grow, and create even better events in the future.What We Cover:Why debriefing your ministry events is essential for growth.Five key questions to ask...
2024-12-1811 min
Calling Water“Saw and Believed” (Guest: Jason Sivewright)In today’s episode, we’re looking at the story of how Jesus came back to life in John 20, and how the ministry of Jesus continued on in the days following his resurrection, inviting everyone to peace and to believe.
Jason Sivewright is a Stuff You Can Use content writer, co-pastor at Engage South KC, and owner and operator of sweetboybooks.com. You can connect with him on Instagram and Facebook @jasonsivewright.
Did this message speak to you today? You can support Calling Water via Venmo (@arumdaunchurch).
2024-03-3135 min
Go Shout Love Podcast35 - New Book: The Thin Skin GangWe're excited to announce the launch of a new children’s book on inclusion called "The Thin Skin Gang." This book is an invitation for inclusion of children with all abilities. It is designed to plant a seed in the imagination of children and spark a healthy conversation in the family or the classroom. In this episode, Josh chats with Jason Sivewright and Courtney McNamara, the awesome people we were able to partner with to take this project from idea to published book. In addition to getting to meet Jason and Courtney, the book’s author and illustrator resp...
2019-10-2935 min