Can worship shape your family’s purpose and inspire lifelong faith for your kids?

On this episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark welcomes David Ray—pastor, worship leader, and co-founder of Doorpost Kids Worship—for an encouraging and funny conversation about raising Christian kids, building faith at home, and helping children discover the true meaning of worship. From middle school slang to practical ideas for family discipleship, David and Christen dive into simple ways families can nurture spiritual growth, serve together, and prioritize faith in everyday family life.

Resources:

• David’s Website: doorpostsongs.com
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod
• Email christen@collidekidspodcast.com for the resource page "100 Ways for Kids to Serve"

Clip Finder:

Why Early Childhood Shapes Our Worldview

"The reason that it's so important for kids is because increasingly we are finding just how much of the way we view the world is formed during our childhood. You know, Barna is telling us that, you know, the way we view the world sort of morally is basically formed by about age 9, and we're kind of locked into a worldview by about age 13."

— David Ray [00:08:49 → 00:09:11]

"Why Worship Is Like Riding a Roller Coaster"

Quote: "A roller coaster almost demands that kind of response from us. And that's like a little picture of what it means to worship God because of who he is, because he's so worthy, he's so deserving of praise. He demands a response from us."

— David Ray [00:10:11 → 00:10:28]

Habits That Shape Kids' Faith for Life

"Lifeway Research did a study recently about what are those activities that kids can engage in, those behaviors that they can learn that are going to result in spiritual health in adulthood."

— David Ray [00:14:49 → 00:15:01]

Empowering Kids to Serve in Church

Quote: "I really just have a heart for churches to expand their vision for finding places for kids to serve in the church."

— David Ray [00:17:33 → 00:17:41]

Is Church Attendance Enough for Spiritual Growth?

"Mere attendance is sort of in a spiritually neutral category when it comes to our children's future, according to this Lifeway study."

— David Ray [00:21:20 → 00:21:30]

The Ultimate Hope for Our Children

Quote: "the thing we really want most for our kids is that they would grow up to follow Jesus and have a relationship with Jesus and be invested in what he calls us to as believers. And so if we want to do that, we got to develop that when we're kids."

— David Ray [00:23:35 → 00:23:51]

Parents and the Power of Early Worship

"One of the things I'm so grateful for is the example that my parents set for me and that they, that they put me in positions to start learning what it means to worship."

— David Ray [00:28:28 → 00:28:37]

Bark proactively works to monitor, detect, and alert you to potential issues on your kids' devices. Visit bark.us to learn more about how you can keep your kids safe online. Use the code COLLIDEKIDS to get 15% off Your Bark Technologies Plan !

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How can compassion and faith shape your child’s courage and kindness especially in the face of bullying?

In this episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark sits down with Dr. Heather Thompson Day, bestselling author and communication expert, to discuss her new book "Can I Sit Here?" and covers Christian parenting and navigating tough topics like bullying and lonliness from a faith-filled perspective. Get ready for an authentic conversation about family life, the power of compassionate communication, and practical ways to build spiritual growth and purposeful faith at home, even during life’s hardest moments. Just in time for the holidays!

Resources:

• Heather's Resources: heatherthompsonday.com
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

Clip Finder:

Bullying and Empathy in Children's Books: "And it's called can I sit Here? And it is literally a true story of her experience going up to a group of kids in the cafeteria with her little lunch tray as a new student and asking, can I sit here? And they all looked at her and got up and left."
— Heather Thompson Day [00:06:25 → 00:06:38]

The Power of Compassionate Communication: "How do I allow my heart to remain soft despite a situation that is very, very hard?"
— Heather Thompson Day [00:08:25 → 00:08:32]

Facing Rejection After Bravery: “Kids were saying her body was made wrong. Kids just making fun of her. Tons of stories of exclusion.”
— Heather Thompson Day [00:09:51 → 00:09:58]

Viral Parenting Insight: "If you yourself, as an adult, with all of your communication strategies and resources, would not stay in a situation in which you are being repeatedly targeted, harassed or bullied. Do not ask an 8 year old child to stay in a situation with very little resources, right? Very little help, very little safety or security to just keep going back."
— Heather Thompson Day [00:10:07 → 00:10:30]

Viral Parenting Insight: "Your brain is never going to tell you what went right. Your brain is wired in the negative. It's only going to tell you what goes wrong."
— Heather Thompson Day [00:13:38 → 00:13:47]

The Power of Documentation in School Issues: "documentation is your best friend. And all that means is write down the date and try as hard as you can to have a few sentences as to what happened and just keep a little journal documenting... so that the school administration can see, oh, my goodness, this is a kid who has been trying to get help, and nobody's listening to them"
— Heather Thompson Day [00:14:47 → 00:15:20]

Viral Topic: Technology and Social Struggles Among Kids
"It seems like even my young kids are struggling socially in way, I think because of technology, we're struggling to make connections that human beings are actually wired to experience."
— Heather Thompson Day [00:20:40 → 00:20:52]

Building Connections by Trying New Things: "You have to be willing to step into other people's world. And so looking for shared experiences."
— Heather Thompson Day [00:21:39 → 00:21:43]

Minno Kids
Minno is the #1 source for high quality, faith-filled content for kids! Start your free trial today! gominno.com

Bark proactively works to monitor, detect, and alert you to potential issues on your kids' devices. Visit bark.us to learn more about how you can keep your kids safe online. Use the code COLLIDEKIDS to get 15% off Your Bark Technologies Plan !

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Can one simple act of generosity change a child’s life and spark faith and purpose for an entire family?

In this inspiring episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark sits down with Izabella McMillon to share her incredible true story of growing up in communist Romania, finding faith in secret, and receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox that transformed her life forever. Together, they explore the power of Christian parenting, raising Christian kids, and how participating in Operation Christmas Child can be a means of discipleship for your family.

• [00:05:04] Izabella shares what life was like under communism in Romania
• [00:09:17] The miraculous moment Izabella discovers a hidden Bible in her home
• [00:13:00] How an underground church impacted Izabella’s faith
• [00:25:13] Practical tips for families on packing shoeboxes

Resources:

• samaritanspurse.org/occ
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

For more stories of Operation Christmas Child, listen to episodes #187, #145, #105, and #52.

Clip Finder:

Life Under Rationing: "And one of my most vivid and fun memories from my childhood is running on the streets and getting in line and standing in line to get something at the grocery store. I know that might sound really strange to a lot of our listeners, but standing in lines, for us, that meant that we would get something we didn't have."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:05:57 → 00:06:15]

Growing Up Under Communism: "So what communism tried to do is to make sure we didn't stand out as individuals."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:08:13 → 00:08:18]

The Unexpected Power of Reading Scripture Without Understanding
Quote: "We kept reading these stories because I believe that when we read God's word, even when we don't fully understand it, he starts working in us."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:12:51 → 00:12:59]

Faith Under Threat
"And even when someone like my brother and I came as newcomers, he didn't know if we were innocent newcomers or we were spies who were built in by the government. So he had to be very careful to protect all the children who were there."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:15:14 → 00:15:28]

Childhood Memories Without Electricity: "So the only way that mom and dad would let us go outside to play is if it snowed outside because then it wasn't pitch dark and there was something for us to do."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:18:00 → 00:18:10]

How to Participate in National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child
Quote: "From now on until the 24th of November, we are in National Collection Week. So if you even go on the website samaritanspurse.org occ you just type in your zip code and you can find the closest drop of location to you and you can drop off your shoeboxes."
— Izabella Mcmillon [00:35:55 → 00:36:11]

Minno Kids
Minno is the #1 source for high quality, faith-filled content for kids! Start your free trial today! gominno.com

Bark proactively works to monitor, detect, and alert you to potential issues on your kids' devices. Visit bark.us to learn more about how you can keep your kids safe online. Use the code COLLIDEKIDS to get 15% off Your Bark Technologies Plan !

Support the show