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
178 episodes
The Prayer Sandwich: A Model for You and Your Young People
Replay Episode – A New Way to Pray: Rejoice, Request, Give ThanksIn this reflective episode, Andy revisits 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and unpacks how rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in all circumstances can transform our prayer li...
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Season 10
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Episode 16
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10:04
Always Be Ready: Talking About Faith Naturally
Replay Episode – Always Be Ready: Talking About Faith NaturallyInspired by Queen Elizabeth’s legacy of faithfulness and service, Andy reflects on how we model faith in everyday life. Why is it so hard for Christians—even leaders—to t...
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Season 10
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Episode 15
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9:15
Coffee with God: Modelling a Life of Presence
Replay Episode – Coffee with God: Modelling a Life of PresenceIn this heartfelt replay, Andy challenges us to consider what kind of example we’re really setting for the young people we lead. Are we modelling spiritual rhythms—or scre...
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Season 10
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Episode 14
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8:55
Living for the Audience of One
Replay Episode – Live for the Audience of OneIn this powerful replay, Andy shares the story of Stephen in Acts and the striking moment Jesus stands at the right hand of God—cheering him on. It's a call to youth leaders every...
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Season 10
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Episode 13
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8:54
When Pressure Hits, Where’s Your Comfort?
Replay Episode – Real Comfort, Real FaithIn this classic episode, Andy reflects on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1 about the God of all comfort. It’s a powerful reminder that true comfort doesn’t come from escaping pressure—but from ...
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Season 10
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Episode 12
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8:10
Why Worship Matters More Than You Think
Replay Episode – A Word in SeasonIn this classic replay, Andy Castle reflects on the essential role of worship in the life of a youth leader. Often the ones who miss corporate worship in church, youth and children's leaders need to f...
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Season 10
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Episode 11
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10:35
Ministry Without Burnout: Daily Habits That Keep You Rooted
Welcome to a special summer replay from Heart of a Youth Leader.This episode revisits a powerful reflection from Andy Castle on how to keep your soul healthy when youth ministry gets overwhelming. Are you working for Go...
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Season 10
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Episode 10
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9:05
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