Jeremy is joined by Dr. Ken Castor to continue the conversation on student leadership that began at the YWC Conference in Moncton. Drawing from decades of research and hands-on ministry experience, Ken responds to real questions from volunteer youth workers about discipling students beyond weekly programs. Over the next two episodes you’ll hear about how leadership development often happens “along the way” through everyday life, why youth ministry must move beyond event-based models, and how leaders can empower students of all personalities (not just the loud or outgoing ones). From setting healthy boundaries to partnering with parents and rethinking what success looks like in youth ministry, this conversation offers thoughtful, practical wisdom for anyone investing in the next generation of leaders.

Ken has written a number of books including the Make a Difference Bible and the Make a Difference Devotional.

See Ken at the YWC Conferences or Today's Teens Conference in early 2026.

Here are the questions Ken answers in this episode:

1. When the group grows and the pastor can’t do this for everyone, how do you empower and encourage volunteer youth leaders to go beyond the event and do this type of discipleship with their key students?
2. How do I set realistic expectations if youth ministry is not my only responsibility?
3. As a young student leader myself, how do I develop leader attributes in other students my age, but still being relatable and being someone they can still feel encouraged to reach regardless of my stand and theirs!
4. How would you handle a student that becomes too attached to you and starts to try and monopolize your time, taking you away from other students?
5. How do we maintain healthy boundaries — plan to protect of course but also healthy emotional boundaries with students when we are trying to get in proximity with our students?

Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community