Welcome to Episode 25 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.

In this episode, Danny talks about one of the biggest challenges every ministry leader faces — finding and keeping great volunteers. From leading games and small groups to setting up and tearing down every week, volunteers make ministry possible. But creating a team that’s motivated, equipped, and excited to serve takes more than a sign-up form. Danny walks through how to build a volunteer culture people love, empower your team to lead well, and develop a strategy that helps volunteers grow all year long.

What We Cover:

• Why it’s important to create a culture volunteers love
• How volunteers make your ministry better
• The steps that can help you recruit, train, and retain volunteers

For More:

Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Want to build a stronger volunteer team? Check out the Volunteer resources in the Grow Marketplace for handbooks, training guides, and more!

Host: Danny Sugimoto

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to episode 24 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright.

If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, you probably have a few spiritual habits that help you grow — things like reading the Bible, praying, or going to church. But for kids and teenagers, those ideas don’t always come naturally. They’re still figuring out what faith looks like in their everyday lives. In this episode, Danny and Jason talk about what spiritual growth really looks like for the next generation and how you can help kids and teenagers develop lifelong spiritual habits that stick.

What We Cover:

• What spiritual growth actually looks like for kids and teenagers.
• The four spiritual habits that help kids and students build a faith that lasts.
• Why every kid and teenager’s spiritual journey looks different — and that’s okay.

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Host: Jason Sivewright

Be sure to subscribe for more practical ministry training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to episode 23 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.

In kids and youth ministry, procrastination can sneak up on us fast. Maybe you waited too long to plan a big event, realized mid-year you haven’t emailed parents in ages, or found yourself frantically Googling for a no-prep lesson on Saturday night. We’ve all been there — but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, Danny walks through how one well-planned annual meeting can transform your year into something calmer, clearer, and more effective.

What We Cover:

• Why it's so important to do an annual planning meeting every year for your ministry!.
• How to plan an entire year of ministry in 6 key areas: discipleship, teaching, weekly environments, events, volunteers, and families.
• How to use the Annual Strategy from Grow Curriculum in your ministry, for free!

For More:

• Grab your Calendar Cards here.
• Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Host: Danny Sugimoto

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to episode 22 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright.

In this episode, Jason dives into one of the most practical (and fun) parts of kids and youth ministry: games. Games aren’t just a way to burn energy. They help kids and teenagers build friendships, connect with leaders, and create memories together. But designing great games takes more than grabbing the first idea that comes to mind. Jason walks through how to choose a theme, build with the right structure, and test your games so they actually work with your group.

What We Cover:

• How to pick a theme for your kids and youth ministry games
• The four structures you can use to design fun and engaging games
• Why testing your games before you play them makes all the difference

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Want even more ready-to-go games for your ministry? Head to the Grow Marketplace for a whole bunch of games!

Host: Jason Sivewright

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.

In this episode, we talk about one of the most practical ways you can build trust with families in your ministry: creating a Parent Handbook. Parents want to know what your ministry is about, how you disciple kids and teenagers, and what they can expect from you. A well-prepared Parent Handbook not only answers their questions but also gives them confidence in your vision and strategy. We’ll walk through what to include, why it matters, and how a clear, accessible handbook can transform the way you partner with parents.

What We Cover:

• Why parents could use a handbook from your ministry!
• How a parent handbook can help you build trust with parents.
• The most important things to include in your parent handbook.

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full blog from this episode.

Want ready-made resources to help you connect with families? Check out our Parent Tools, which include a ready-to-use Parent Handbook and an Annual Parent Survey! It's just one of the resources ready for you over on the Grow Marketplace!

Host: Danny Sugimoto

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to episode 20 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Brooklyn Lindsey.

In this episode, Brooklyn unpacks why one-on-one time with your volunteers is one of the most powerful investments you can make in your ministry. These intentional conversations help you encourage, equip, and even troubleshoot with your team in a way that group meetings can’t. You’ll hear about the four main types of volunteer conversations, practical ways to prepare for each one, and how to approach them with humility, curiosity, and care.

What We Cover:

• The four types of one-on-one conversations every leader should have with volunteers
• How to prepare for a conversation so it’s both relational and strategic
• Questions to ask that help you evaluate your volunteers—and help them evaluate you
• Follow-up practices that strengthen relationships and keep volunteers engaged

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more kids and youth ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Grab your free Volunteer Conversations Guide here

Want more resources to help you lead your team? Try Grow for free

Host: Brooklyn Lindsey

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Brooklyn Lindsey.

In this episode, Brooklyn shares what to do when attendance in your ministry isn’t where you hoped it would be. Whether it’s a random dip or a trend that’s got you worried, Brooklyn offers practical and honest steps to help you respond without panicking. You’ll walk away with encouragement, a new way to evaluate what’s really going on, and a fresh perspective on what healthy growth really looks like.

What We Cover:

• How to not panic when your attendance fluctuates!
• 7 problems that might be hurting your attendance.
• Why quick fixes can't create healthy, sustainable growth (and what can).

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full show blog from this episode.

Looking to strengthen the health of your ministry long-term?

Try Grow for free

Host: Brooklyn Lindsey

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.

In this episode, Danny walks through one of the simplest and most impactful events you can host for families in your ministry—a Parent and Small Group Leader Breakfast. If you’ve ever struggled to get parents more involved or wanted to show them what small group leaders are really about, this is an event you’ll want to try. You’ll hear why this strategy works, how to plan it, and how to turn it into a yearly rhythm that strengthens your ministry.

What We Cover:

• Why it’s so hard to get parents involved—and what to do about it
• How to host a meaningful Parent & Small Group Leader Breakfast
• Tips to make your space (and your leaders!) feel welcoming and personal

For More:
Visit growcurriculum.org/blog for more ministry ideas, helpful tools, and the full show blog from this episode.
Looking for more family engagement events? Check out Episode 7 to hear about our Annual Family Strategy, including how to host an Open House and Parent Workshop.

Want to get started right now?
Try Grow for free!

Host: Danny Sugimoto

Be sure to subscribe for more practical training, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• (00:10) - Welcome