Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast

In this episode of the Momentum Podcast, Eric sits down with Keith Minier to talk about leadership, calling, and what it takes to build something that lasts. From starting as a student at Momentum to now leading a thriving multi-site church, Keith shares the behind-the-scenes of a 20+ year journey—how he discerned God's direction, chose obedience over opportunity, and stayed committed to the same church through every season of growth. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

Faith isn't fading—but something is shifting. And a lot of leaders are asking: is this revival… or something else? In this episode, Eric sits down with Jeff to talk through what's really happening across the country as more people—especially Gen Z—turn toward spirituality. From rising church attendance to increased Bible engagement, they unpack what may be a growing spiritual awakening and how it's different from true revival. In this episode you'll hear: What's driving the current spiritual hunger in culture 🌎 The difference between revival and spiritual awakening 🔥 Why this moment is generational, not just reactionary 📊 Key signs that something real is happening right now ...🗝️ Red flags leaders should watch for as interest in faith grows 🚩 How to help people move from curiosity to true transformation. 💭 If you're a pastor, leader, or someone trying to make sense of what's happening in our culture, this conversation will help you discern the moment, lead wisely, and point people to what actually lasts. 🎧 Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

Faith isn't falling apart—but a lot of students aren't sure what to do with the questions they're asking. In this episode, Eric Miller sits down with Alisa Childers—author, speaker, and former member of ZOEgirl—to talk through doubt, truth, and what's really happening behind the rise of progressive Christianity. From her own faith crisis to what she's seeing in students today, Alisa brings clarity to conversations many leaders feel unprepared for. In this episode you'll hear: Why asking hard questions is actually essential to a strong faith 💭 The difference between honest doubt and destructive skepticism ⚖️ How culture is reshaping the way students define truth 📲 A practical framework for building a faith that lasts 🧱 How pastors can guide students through doubt without losing them 🤝 If you're leading students—or walking through questions yourself—this conversation will help you think clearly, lead confidently, and stay anchored in what matters most. Alisa's Session at MYC 2026 Visit Alisa's wesbite HERE 🔗 Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

The role of the youth pastor has changed—and it's happening faster than most realize. It's no longer just pizza and games. Today's youth leaders are navigating mental health, digital discipleship, identity, and culture-shaping conversations with students who are growing up faster than ever. In this episode, Josh Griffin shares what's changed in youth ministry, what hasn't, and how leaders can adapt without losing sight of what matters most. In this episode you'll hear: Why middle school (and even younger) is now the front line of ministry 📚 How phones and digital culture are reshaping students' faith 📲 The key to reaching the loneliest generation 🗝️ How to better equip volunteers and partner with parents 🤝 What actually leads to lasting faith in students 💭 Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Corbin Hogue, pastor of One Community Church in Greenville, South Carolina, during a powerful week at Momentum Youth Conference. Together they talk about what it's been like to witness a genuine move of God as hundreds of students respond to the Gospel, confess sin, and take steps of faith alongside their youth groups. Corbin also shares a preview of the message he's bringing to close out the week, challenging students to live all out for Jesus when they return home. Corbin opens up about his own journey—from growing up in a broken home, to dancing professionally in the music industry, to the moment God completely redirected his life toward ministry. Today, he and his family are planting and serving in an underserved community in Greenville, bringing the hope of the Gospel directly into their neighborhood. Eric and Corbin also dive into an honest conversation about accountability, peer support, and why no pastor should lead alone. If you're a pastor, youth leader, or someone passionate about seeing the next generation follow Jesus, this conversation will encourage you and remind you of what God can do when people fully surrender their lives to Him. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Kevin Butcher, longtime pastor, author of Free: Rescued from Shame-Based Religion, and founder of Rooted Pastors. Kevin shares his story of pastoring for more than three decades while quietly carrying the weight of shame, performance, and exhaustion—and the moment that forced him to confront the emptiness behind ministry success. From there, he walks through how God began reshaping his understanding of love, identity, and what it really means to live free in Christ. Along the way, Eric and Kevin talk about the difference between guilt and shame, why so many pastors feel pressure to perform, and why healing often begins when leaders are finally seen, known, and supported in safe community. If you're a pastor or ministry leader who has ever felt the pressure to have it all together, this conversation offers honest encouragement and a reminder that you don't have to walk through ministry alone. To connect with Kevin or learn more about Rooted Pastors, visit rootedpastors.org. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode, Eric Miller sits down with Newt Larson—longtime pastor, former CE National director (now Momentum Ministry Partners), author, and trusted coach to pastors across the country. Knute reflects on a lifetime of pastoral leadership, including 26 years at The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, and years of ministry in Ashland. Together, they talk candidly about what leadership really feels like behind the scenes—making big decisions while still feeling "scared," learning dependence on the Lord, and choosing what's best for the church over what looks impressive. They also dig into practical, transferable tools for healthy ministry: building and repeating clear core values, leading change with patience and communication, navigating discouragement and comparison, handling criticism with wisdom, and protecting your heart through humility, relationships, and straight talk. If you're a pastor, church leader, or ministry professional—especially in a season of burnout, transition, or uncertainty—this conversation is full of steady encouragement and real-world guidance for long-haul faithfulness. Knute's Wesbite HERE Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

Eric Miller sits down with Dr. Randy Smith, senior pastor of Neighborhood Church in Sebring, Florida, founder of Great Commission Bible Institute, and director of the Christian Travel Studies Program, for a candid conversation on the Middle East, the church, and how pastors can lead with clarity in a confusing cultural moment. Randy helps cut through oversimplified narratives and algorithm-driven opinions, offering a framework for understanding the layers behind modern conflicts while keeping the main thing the main thing: starting with God's Word, not cable news. He challenges pastors to resist stereotypes, avoid partisan traps, and step into hard conversations with humility, compassion, and biblical conviction, like a referee bringing principles to both sides. The episode closes with practical direction and real hope. Randy shares how to think biblically, pray faithfully, give strategically, and engage wisely without over-spiritualizing or over-politicizing. He also highlights what is encouraging him right now as he sees Scripture, spiritual hunger, and gospel opportunities unfolding in real time. Learn more about STUDY TRIP. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Clancy Cruise and Jeremey Bury, the pastors behind Marysville Grace, Momentum's 2025 Church of the Year. Together, they share the story of Marysville Grace from its early days as a church plant to becoming a thriving, multiplying church rooted in trust, unity, and long-term faithfulness. Clancy reflects on what it looks like to plant a church, raise up leaders from within, and remain on staff with humility after handing off the lead pastor role. Jeremey walks through his unexpected journey from worship pastor to lead pastor, and how God consistently confirmed each step along the way. This conversation dives deep into healthy leadership transition, the difference between preferences and convictions, and why building trust through humility, repentance, and patience matters more than chasing trends. If you're a pastor or ministry leader navigating succession, developing young leaders, or longing for a church culture built on multiplication rather than ego, this episode offers practical wisdom and real encouragement. To connect with Clancy or Jeremey, visit marysvillegrace.org or email [email protected] Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode, Eric sits down with Nick (founder of UP) for a conversation that hits right at the center of what so many students, parents, and ministry leaders are feeling: doom scrolling is shaping us more than we realize. Nick shares his unlikely journey—from baseball and high-pressure tech environments to building tools rooted in behavioral science—and the moment he felt God calling him to take what he'd learned and use it for something bigger. Together, they unpack what's actually happening beneath the surface of our feeds: how algorithms are designed to keep us hooked, how the "scroll" can choke out spiritual growth, and why this isn't just a self-control issue—it's a systems issue. Nick explains the heart behind UP (and the "scroll happy" idea): a platform built to give people what they want without feeding them what they don't need, aiming for mental health and wellbeing over engagement. Learn more about Scroll Happy 📲 Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric Miller sits down with Holly Regan, Training Coordinator at Rahab Ministries, for a conversation every parent, youth pastor, and ministry leader needs to hear—but may not know how to start. Together, they unpack what sex trafficking actually looks like in the United States today. Holly brings years of frontline experience to help clarify how exploitation frequently begins much closer to home, especially in digital spaces students interact with every day. This honest and eye-opening discussion explores how social media, pornography, grooming, and sextortion are increasingly connected, and why proactive conversations matter more than reactive ones. Rather than leaning into fear, Holly offers practical, hope-filled insight into how churches and parents can build trust, establish safe relationships, and create environments where students know they are not alone and are never beyond help. This episode includes mature topics and is best listened to away from young ears. If you work with students, lead in a church, or are trying to navigate technology and boundaries as a parent, this conversation is designed to equip you with clarity, language, and confidence for the road ahead. Rahab Ministries provides Christ-centered transformational care for adults and minors impacted by sex trafficking throughout Northeast Ohio. To learn more about their mission or connect with their team, visit https://www.rahabministries.org or follow @rahabministries. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST 🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

Today on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, we're joined by someone who has been a leading voice in helping the Church think more biblically, more compassionately, and more holistically about the issue of life. Roland Warren is the President and CEO of Care Net—one of the nation's largest networks of pregnancy centers—and a national advocate for what he calls a Pro Abundant Life vision. In this conversation, Roland shares the personal story that shaped his passion (it starts back at Princeton), the one question he believes every pastor and leader needs to wrestle with, and why the Church can't outsource this issue to politics and call it "mission accomplished." If you've ever felt the tension of wanting to lead with conviction and compassion—but not knowing how to talk about it without it turning into a debate—this episode will give you language, clarity, and practical next steps. Visit Care Net's Website HERE Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Dane Caraway on the final day of Momentum Youth Conference. They talk behind-the-scenes of Youth Conference, what it really looks like to pastor students in moments of worship, and why confession, accountability, and peer support matter more than we sometimes admit. Dane also shares a bit of his story with Momentum over the years and gives an honest update on life and ministry as a church planter in Towson, Maryland with Church at the Well. If you're a pastor, leader, or just someone who wants real conversations about staying healthy in ministry (without pretending it's easy), this one's for you. Listen to Dayne's session at Momentum Youth Conference Here Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

On this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric Miller sits down with longtime youth ministry leader Walt Mueller—founder of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU)—for a laid-back conversation packed with perspective for anyone serving students today. Listen as the two talk about Walt's decades in student ministry, how CPYU started (and why helping parents understand their kids' world matters more than ever), and the shift from program-driven youth group to relational ministry that actually goes deep. Walt also shares encouragement for youth workers who feel the pressure—how to keep learning, take a hit, stay rooted in God's Word, and navigate technology and cultural change with wisdom instead of panic. And toward the end, Walt tells a story that brings it all home—one that challenges priorities and reminds leaders why family, rest, and a filled-up spiritual "well" aren't optional. We're so excited for you to tune in and be part of this conversation! Resources from Walt 📚 Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!

In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric Miller sits down with retired pastor and missionary Norman Schrock. Norman has worn a lot of hats (pastor, missionary, teacher, interim leader… even a few you wouldn't expect), and he shares the kind of perspective you only get through years of faithful ministry, hard seasons, and God's steady refinement. Together they talk about how pastoring and ministry have shifted over the years—what's changed, what hasn't, and what young pastors need to watch out for in today's church culture. Norman also gets incredibly practical about staying rooted, staying healthy, and staying in it for the long haul (including some wisdom on marriage, accountability, and not letting ministry become your identity). If you're a pastor, leader, or just someone trying to stay fresh and faithful in your calling, this one will strengthen you. Press play and let Norm's stories remind you that God is still shaping His servants, no matter what season you're in. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. Another great way to discover who we are? Check out THIS PODCAST🎙️ Follow Momentum Ministry Partners on: Instagram: @MomentumMinistryPartners Facebook: @MomentumMinistryPartners YouTube: @MomentumMinistryPartners Subscribe and be sure to leave us your rating & review!