The Heart of a Youth Leader
This is for anyone working with children or young people in a church context, and will help you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you invest in the next generations. You can watch episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thriveyouthmin Created by Thrive Youth Ministries in UK.
Episodes
171 episodes
People-Pleasing or God-Pleasing? Shaping Your Ministry Priorities
Do you ever find yourself working for people more than working with God? This week, Andy Castle asks youth leaders: what if our priorities were shaped not by urgency or expectations—but by obedience? Reflecting on Proverbs 29:25, Andy ...
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Season 10
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Episode 9
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9:51
Try Softer: Teaching Young People to Focus on God
In this episode of Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy Castle reflects on the rise of anxiety and attention challenges in young people and how our fast-paced, screen-saturated world is impacting their ability to focus on God. Drawing from Ps...
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Season 10
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Episode 8
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9:54
Teaching Young People to Pray Beyond Exams
When someone asks, “What can I pray for you?”—how do you respond? This week, Andy explores how we can shift the focus of our prayers from surface-level concerns to life-changing transformation. Whether you’re a youth leader or a young ...
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Season 10
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Episode 7
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8:51
Knowing About Jesus vs. Knowing Him Personally
In this episode, Andy Castle explores the vital difference between helping young people know about Jesus and guiding them to know Him personally. Drawing from Romans 8 and his own experience (including a surprising comparison ...
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Season 10
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Episode 6
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10:29
Don't Give Up: 5 ways to stay the course in Youthwork
Feeling worn out in youth ministry? You’re not alone. In this short but honest episode, Andy Castle shares five essential habits to help you keep going when the calling feels tough. Whether you’ve been in ministry 2 years or 20, this is your re...
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Season 10
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Episode 5
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11:18
Kingdom values in the world of school | Matthew 5:43-48
What does it look like for young people to live out kingdom values in the middle of school drama, peer pressure, and broken friendships? In this milestone 150th episode, Andy Castle reflects on Jesus’ call to love our enemies and challenges you...
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Season 10
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Episode 4
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9:58
Wake up and put your face in the sunlight! | Isaiah 60:1-2
This week, Andy reflects on the pressure young people face during exam season—and how youth leaders can support them with care, prayer, and spiritual encouragement. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 60, he challenges us to shake off discouragemen...
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Season 10
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Episode 3
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10:05
Lean Less on Yourself | Proverbs 3:5-6
In this episode of The Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy reflects on the busyness of youthwork and the spiritual cost of always being “on”. Drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6, he challenges us to step back, take retreat seriously, and trust God deeply — n...
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Season 10
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Episode 2
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9:41
What do you hope to see in your youth group this term? | John 7:37-39
After a short break, we are back with a new season of our podcast and video series, The Heart of a Youth Leader.In this week's episode we think about what our hopes for the term ahead are and how we need God to quench our thirst for wha...
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Season 10
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Episode 1
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10:57
Revel in God | Philippians 4:4-5
In this week's episode we explore how to hold on to God's promises and truth even when your feelings are telling you different.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with children and young people ...
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Season 9
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Episode 11
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10:09
Keep trusting in his promises | Genesis 15:1-5
In this week's episode Andy Castle thinks about how we can keep holding on to the promises of God even when nothing seems to change.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with children and young pe...
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Season 9
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Episode 10
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10:18
Who are you investing in? | Philippians 1:1-6
In this week's episode Andy Castle thinks about the long term opportunity of youthwork and how we need to be purposeful in thinking about how and who we are investing in.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all tho...
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Season 9
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Episode 9
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9:11
What's your plan to reach the disconnected? | Luke 15:4-7
It is one thing to work with the young people who come to our groups but what is our plan to stay connected with those who chose to disconnect? That's this week's theme.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all thos...
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Season 9
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Episode 8
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10:16
The criteria for leadership | Philippians 4:9
In this week's episode Andy Castle explores an important question that rarely gets asked when we build our youth teams.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with children and young people in a chu...
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Season 9
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Episode 7
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9:42
Following God's Plans | Zechariah 4:41-10
How do you go about developing a new scheme or plan and how do you keep in step with the Lord in developing the plan? This is what Andy talks about in this week's episode.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at ...
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Season 9
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Episode 6
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10:36
How to pass on the baton of faith | Psalm 145:4-7
Many of us are concerned with how few young people attend our churches, but how can we make sure we are sharing our faith effectively with young people?'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with c...
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Season 9
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Episode 5
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10:03
Too busy to notice? | Genesis 18:1-5
This week, Andy Castle thinks about the importance of giving yourself space and time so you can see what God is doing.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with children and young people in a chur...
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Season 9
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Episode 4
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8:04
How are you influenced? | 2 Chronicles 17:3-6
In this episode Andy Castle considers the challenges of those who influence us and how we might influence others.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with children and young people in a church co...
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Season 9
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Episode 3
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10:26
What are the essentials of a healthy youth group?
In this episode Andy Castle asks what the essential elements to a healthy youth ministry are and how we can build our youth groups on firm foundations.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series, aimed at all those who work with ch...
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Season 9
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Episode 2
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10:55
What are your plans for the year ahead? | 1 Chronicles 28:2-7
In this first episode of a new season of the podcast, Andy Castle thinks about how we can set goals for the year ahead and to keep in step with what God is doing both in us and through us.'The Heart of a Youth Leader' is a weekly series...
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Season 9
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Episode 1
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9:44
REPLAY episode: The goodness of God
For the next few weeks we are trawling the Heart of a Youth Leader archive to bring some of the best of our older episodes, which you might have missed.This week Andy recounts a day where the Lord blesses him by answering his prayer.
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Season 8
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Episode 25
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8:26
REPLAY episode: Do you love me?
For the next few weeks we are trawling the Heart of a Youth Leader archive to bring some of the best of our older episodes, which you might have missed.This week Andy tells you about his favourite resurrection story.'The Heart o...
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Season 8
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Episode 24
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9:04
REPLAY episode: Being part of a team
For the next few weeks we are trawling the Heart of a Youth Leader archive to bring some of the best of our older episodes, which you might have missed.This week Andy thinks about what makes a team and how we need to work together well....
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Season 8
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Episode 23
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10:55
REPLAY episode: Jesus the youthworker
For the next few weeks we are trawling the Heart of a Youth Leader archive to bring some of the best of our older episodes, which you might have missed.This week Andy thinks about what we are called to do.'The Heart of a Youth L...
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Season 8
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Episode 22
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10:14
REPLAY episode: Imitate me as I imitate Christ
For the next few weeks we are trawling the Heart of a Youth Leader archive to bring some of the best of our older episodes, which you might have missed.This week Andy talks about the essential part of being a youth worker that is being ...
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Season 8
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Episode 21
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8:42