53. VBS 2026: How to Plan a Gospel-Centered Vacation Bible School with Melita Thomas

This episode features insights from kids ministry leaders at CPC Orlando, sharing innovative ways to keep children engaged and foster a fun, faith-filled environment. Topics include encouraging curiosity through questions, making ministry fun with bright colors and music, and involving kids in leadership roles.Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

In this episode of the Kids Ministry Calling Podcast, we sit down with longtime kids ministry leader Kelly Pekarek to talk about something every ministry leader needs more of....joy.With more than 21 years of experience in kids ministry, Kelly shares practical and encouraging insights on how leaders can cultivate fun, build meaningful relationships with kids and families, and create a ministry culture where volunteers feel excited to serve.From creative volunteer recruitment to simple tools that help busy families stay engaged in discipleship, this conversation is packed with ideas you can start using right away. Kelly reminds us that while kids ministry can feel busy and demanding, it should also be life-giving, relational, and full of joy.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why joy and fun are essential to a healthy kids ministry cultureHow relational ministry changes the way kids experience churchCreative and practical ways to recruit and retain volunteersWhy families today are busier than ever—and how the church can support themSimple strategies for helping parents disciple their kids at homeHow small ideas can create big moments of connection and communityKelly also shares some practical and creative ideas that help bring energy and connection to kids ministry:Bible Bingo – a fun and interactive way to help kids engage with ScriptureSummer Scoreboards – tracking participation, Scripture memory, and engagement throughout the summerCommunity-building activities that help kids and volunteers feel connectedFresh ways to make ministry environments welcoming, energetic, and memorableKelly’s wisdom and experience will leave you encouraged, inspired, and reminded that joy is one of the most powerful tools we have in ministry.If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with another kids ministry leader who could use some fresh ideas and encouragement in their calling.SHOW LINKS: Sign up for ETCH Conference 2026Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Kids ministry has never been just about filling a room or filling time. It’s about building disciples—starting with the youngest hearts in our churches and extending outward to families and communities.In this conversation, Steve Hampel brings decades of wisdom from serving faithfully in kids ministry. What I appreciate most about Steve is his steady conviction that healthy ministry begins with healthy leadership. Programs matter. Events matter. Resources matter. But leaders matter most.Steve shares how intentional leadership development has shaped his ministry philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on recruiting volunteers to meet immediate needs, he challenges us to invest in people for the long haul—raising up leaders who can shepherd kids, partner with parents, and strengthen the local church.We also talk about the strategic role of events. When done thoughtfully, events aren’t just calendar fillers. They can be powerful entry points for families who may never walk through the doors otherwise. From seasonal outreaches to creative community initiatives, Steve reminds us that excellence and intentionality open doors for gospel conversations.Another key theme in our discussion is stewardship. We live in a time when ministry resources are abundant—curriculum, digital tools, media, and creative assets. The challenge is not access, but alignment. Steve encourages leaders to use resources wisely and purposefully, always asking: Does this support our mission? Does this help us disciple kids and equip families?One of the most encouraging parts of this conversation is hearing Steve reflect on serving alongside his wife. Ministry is not meant to be isolated. The partnership, prayer, and shared calling in their home have strengthened both their family and their ministry. It’s a reminder that our first ministry is often right under our own roof.Finally, we explore the impact of media in today’s ministry landscape. While digital tools have transformed how we communicate and connect, Steve emphasizes that relationships remain at the center. Technology can amplify the message—but it can never replace presence. Community engagement still happens through conversations, trust, and showing up consistently.If you serve in kids ministry, lead volunteers, or care deeply about reaching the next generation, this episode will encourage you to think strategically, lead intentionally, and serve faithfully.Because when we build leaders, partner with families, and engage our communities, we are not just running a ministry—we are shaping the future of the church.Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

VBS isn’t just a week on the calendar, it’s a gospel opportunity.In this episode, we dive into the heart behind this year’s VBS theme, Illumination Station, and explore how every activity, lesson, and moment is designed to help kids clearly see who Jesus is. From high-energy rotations to meaningful Bible teaching, this conversation unpacks how the gospel message shines through each day of the week.You’ll hear a breakdown of the daily content, key biblical truths kids will discover, and why clarity about Jesus, not just excitement, is the ultimate goal of VBS.We also share practical preparation tips, including:How to equip and encourage volunteersWays to create a welcoming and engaging environmentImportant considerations for special needs ministryHow to keep the gospel central in every rotationWhether you’re a seasoned VBS director or planning for the first time, this episode will help you prepare with confidence and purpose.Let’s make this the year kids don’t just have fun—they leave knowing who Jesus truly is.SHOW LINKS:Lifeway Vacation Bible Study 2026Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

In this engaging conversation, Lifeway's Isaac Kirsted shares his journey in kids ministry, discussing the evolution of podcasting, his experiences at Lifeway, and the development of the Hi-Fi curriculum. He emphasizes the importance of energy management in large group settings, preparation for teaching, and the impact of personal experiences on his calling. The discussion highlights practical tips for engaging kids and the significance of mentorship in shaping one's career.Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

"It's about speaking a language kids can understand. Kids understand fun!" - Joel EvristIs fun just filler in kids ministry, or is it foundational?In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana welcomes back pastor, author, and actor Joel Evrist for a joy-filled and practical conversation about why fun is more than entertainment, it’s deeply biblical.Joel unpacks three powerful “whys” behind incorporating fun into ministry: the principle of incarnation, the ministry of hospitality, and the celebration of joy in Christ. Then he gets practical, sharing four “hows” to help leaders create environments where kids feel welcomed, engaged, and excited to grow in their faith.From contagious attitudes and hands-on activities to simple games, music, and creative moments that build confidence, this episode is packed with ideas you can implement right away. You’ll be reminded that fun doesn’t have to be competitive, complicated, or perfectly tied to the lesson to be meaningful, it simply needs to create connection.If you’re ready to rethink fun as a tool for discipleship and create spaces where kids experience both belonging and biblical truth, this conversation will inspire you to lead with joy.SHOW LINKS: The Gospel Project Explore the Bible On Location Next Gen Tech ResetProtecting Kids in a Digital World: Sarah Siegand on Online Safety, Parenting, and Church PartnershipsConnect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Remember when kids ministry felt… fun? Not polished. Not perfect. But full of laughter, big questions, messy moments, and holy wonder. Between preparing curriculum, scheduling volunteers, and Sunday morning chaos, it can be easy to forget that kids ministry is one of the most joy-filled callings in the Church. Well, this season on Kids Ministry Calling we’re reclaiming the fun.  So grab your coffee, maybe even a notepad for jotting down new inspiration, and join us next week for the start of a brand new season of Kids Ministry Calling with  Jana Magruder.  SHOW LINKS: Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

What if anxiety isn’t a flaw to fix—but a signal inviting you to live differently?In this special bonus episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana sits down with Dr. John Delony, mental health expert, author, and counselor, to unpack a healthier, hope-filled way to understand anxiety—especially for ministry leaders carrying heavy emotional loads.Dr. Delony reframes anxiety as a natural alarm system rather than a disorder, offering freedom from shame and practical clarity for those navigating stress, burnout, and constant pressure. Drawing from his book Building a Non-Anxious Life, he walks through six empowering choices that can help leaders move toward peace, connection, and wholeness in both life and ministry.This conversation is especially timely as we enter a new year—inviting leaders to pause, reflect, and choose a different pace rooted in responsibility, reality, and hope.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why anxiety is an alarm—not a personal failureThe six choices that lead to a less anxious lifeHow ministry stress uniquely impacts emotional healthWhy connection and community are essential for healingPractical ways leaders can care for their mental and spiritual well-beingWhether you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply longing for a healthier way to lead, this bonus episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and a clear path forward.🎙️ Listen in and step into the new year with clarity, courage, and peace.SHOW LINKS: Building A Non-Anxious LifeConnect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Screens are everywhere, but are our kids safe? In this urgent episode, Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes joins the podcast to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing families and churches today: children’s exposure to harmful technology and content. From alarming statistics to practical solutions, this conversation is a wake-up call for parents, leaders, and faith communities to take action.Chris compares the dangers of today’s digital landscape to historical threats like cigarettes, emphasizing that without guidance and protection, technology can have lasting negative impacts on children. He also explores the emerging implications of AI and how it intersects with faith, society, and parenting.Start the conversation in your church or home: educate families, implement proactive digital strategies, and consider using tools like parental controls and filtered routers to protect children. Safety starts with awareness and intentional action.SHOW LINKS: Protect Young EyesAnxious Generation Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

What happens when you step into the world of a preteen girl, where friendships feel like everything, emotions run deep, and identity is being shaped moment by moment? In this episode, we dive into that world with Amanda Mejias and Dr. Tiff Watson, uncovering what today’s girls are really facing and how the Church can show up with clarity, compassion, and hope.This conversation pulls back the curtain on the pressures preteen girls carry and why they need leaders who are both bold and empathetic. From navigating “mean girl” moments to cultivating community where every girl feels she belongs, Amanda brings practical wisdom and honest insights that every ministry leader needs.We also tackle the tough stuff—body image, modesty, and self-expression—and explore how to guide preteens through these conversations with grace, truth, and a deep sense of safety. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into girls ministry, this episode will equip and inspire you to champion the next generation with confidence.SHOW LINKS: Connect with Dr. Tiff Watson Your Unique FizeekConnect with Lifeway GirlsConnect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!