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 !

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What if a simple family tradition could transform holiday excitement into lifelong purpose and faith?

On this episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark welcomes Tim Penner and Jo Rivard, the creative minds behind Tiny Truths, for a conversation filled with laughs, inspiration and practical ideas for raising Christian kids. Discover fresh ways to make Advent meaningful, nurture spiritual growth during family time, and help your family shine their light not just in December but all year long.

Resources:

• Tiny Truths website: https://tinytruthsbible.com/
• CTA Kids: https://www.ctainc.com/collections/tiny-truths
• Podcasting with Purpose Webinar Nov. 18: https://subscribepage.io/nGKK4E
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

**Special thanks to Minno for sponsoring this episode! Visit gominno.com to learn more about this amazing streaming service.

Clip Finder:

The Power of Creative Partnerships: "I've never had a creative partnership like this that just seems to work so well. There's so much joy in it and there's so much fun in it, but also we're doing this meaningful work."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:08:27 → 00:09:05]

Adapting to Change in Animation: "I studied classically hand drawn animation, right as everything was going digital... I was fortunate enough to find a studio that liked my drawings and liked my ideas enough to say, we'll teach you how to do this on a computer... So it was an incredible."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:09:57 → 00:10:35]

Joining Forces for Animated Kids Books: "I had always wanted to make kids books. And it just seemed like we had the perfect combination of skills to come together and make little funny, silly animated kids books with little simple animations and funny sound effects."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:11:28 → 00:11:48]

Viral Parenting Inspiration: "I think it's an opportunity for parents and kids to start to discover all of the ways there are to really live out the way we're meant to Live and to reflect God's love in the world the way we're meant to."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:14:07 → 00:14:18]

Viral Family Holiday Traditions: "We sort of try to have a good mix of all the ways in which we think that you can shine your light in the world and share God's love with your neighbors, with each other, in your Family. There are intentional days of rest put in as well, which we think is very important."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:16:37 → 00:16:50]

Viral Topic: The Beauty of Advent's Pause
"It's a chance to slow down, to remind ourselves of what's important in the season, to remember the Christmas story and to remember what our role is in it."
— Tim and Jo - Tiny Truths [00:18:56 → 00:19:08]

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

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 embracing weakness actually make your family stronger in faith and purpose?

This week on the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark sits down with Joel Conwell Arcieri, a tech professional and children’s author, for a deeply encouraging chat about spiritual growth, vulnerability, and family life. Joel opens up about his journey from pastor’s kid to author, how his own challenges with anxiety inspired his new book for kids, and practical ways Christian parenting can nurture emotional intelligence, faith at home, and true discipleship.

• [00:10:30] Joel shares the childhood experience behind his book
• [00:13:36] Why weakness and failure are vital for spiritual growth
• [00:21:47] How reading children’s books as a family can inspire honest faith conversations and strengthen purpose in raising Christian kids.

Resources:

• Website: jconwell.org
• Amazon: The Boy in the Tree
• Podcasting with Purpose Workshop - Online Nov. 18
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

Special Thanks to MINNO for sponsoring this episode!

Clip Finder:

Vulnerability and Emotional Intelligence: "When Weak Is okay is just such a beautiful story about vulnerability and emotional intelligence."
— Joel Conwell Arcieri [00:02:33 → 00:02:40]

Parenting & Mental Health
"When we're open and honest about the things that we are struggling with or things that we're having a hard time with, or maybe we have some anxiety and just having an open conversation with our kids about that to the level that they can understand, I think that's helpful for them to process what they're going through, because they might think, mom and dad don't understand this because I'm going through something in my mind."
— Joel Conwell Arcieri [00:20:58 → 00:21:19]

The Power of Weakness
"When we stop fighting our weaknesses and let God work through them, that's when his power really shows. That's when others can see it too, and be encouraged by how he works in our story and works through our lives."
— Joel Conwell Arcieri [00:33:55 → 00:34:08]

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

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

What if the time your family spends together watching shows or reading books could spark spiritual growth and lifelong faith?

On this episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark sits down with Jess Wolstenholm,VP of Education and Research at Minno Kids, a leading Christian streaming and publishing platform for families. Together, they dive into Christian Parenting, raising kids who abide in Christ, practical discipleship ideas for family life, and how to fill your home with inspiration and purpose through age-appropriate faith-filled media. Plus, Jess reveals some exciting new projects coming to Minno that will encourage family time and make Faith at home fun and meaningful.

Resources:

• Website: www.gominno.com
• Youtube: @minnokids
• "Podcasting with Purpose" Webinar Nov. 18, Follow on social media for more infrmation: see @christenclark
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

Clip Finder:

Making Faith Matter in Children's Media: "We just really want to help kids and families experience Jesus together through the media that they consume. Because we know kids are consuming lots of media, and parents, you know, it's a struggle because you want it to matter. You want it to be good media."
— Jess Wolstenholm [00:05:31 → 00:05:44]

Why Are Families Staying Faithful?
"All these people are leaving the faith. Why aren't we? I mean, we experienced a lot of loss. We lost four babies and two moms, and both of our moms in the span of five years."
— Jess Wolstenholm [00:08:50 → 00:09:03]

Elevating Christian Kids Media
Quote: "We're so focused on making sure that kids have all of the same really excellent, educationally appropriate, age appropriate shows that you would see on a PBS Kids or a Sesame, but through a faith lens."
— Jess Wolstenholm [00:14:55 → 00:15:11]

Dual Language Kids' TV Shows
"We have a brand new show called Guillermo and Will and it is a dual language preschool show with two little puppet worms. Guillermo speaks Spanish and Will speaks English and they're the best friends... kids are going to learn in every episode three to four words in English and Spanish so they can understand both languages."
— Jess Wolstenholm [00:15:12 → 00:15:40]

Jesus’ Love for Children: "one of my favorite things about the show is just the really sweet, gentle interaction between Jesus and the children. And I really hope that's something that kids take away... To know, like, that is how Jesus feels about children."
— Jess Wolstenholm [00:20:51 → 00:21:10]

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

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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What if every question your child asks could launch your family into a quest of deeper faith and purpose?

On this episode of the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark chats with Rousseaux Brasseur—children’s author, YouTuber, and founder of the Quester Community—about how curiosity can turn into spiritual growth at home. Get inspired as they swap rapid-fire questions, share stories of surrender and faith, and offer fun, practical wisdom for helping your kids discover God’s big answers to life’s biggest questions during family time and beyond.

Resources:

• Youtube: The Quester
• Website: www.questercommunity.com
• Amazon: Rousseaux Brasseur
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

Clip Finder:

Helping Kids Navigate Life’s Biggest Questions: "So we take kids on an adventure, a big quest to find God's big answers to all of life's biggest questions."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:04:33 → 00:04:39]

Viral Transformation: "I moved down to Mexico to live at an orphanage for a year and a half and just that's where I ended up meeting Jesus and really surrendering my heart and my life to him."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:06:04 → 00:06:12]

Surrendering Dreams to Faith: "And then surrendering it to the Lord and him saying, actually, no, I want you to do this, but do it for my glory. And so that's what I love to get to do now. Just point people to Him."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:06:46 → 00:06:54]

The Power of Curiosity in Childhood: "And there was a study done in Great Britain a few years ago that said, on average, children ask one question every two minutes and upwards of 300 questions a day."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:14:35 → 00:14:46]

Embracing Uncertainty in Learning: "I don't think our answer is to know the answers and have all the answers, but it is our job to be okay with there being big questions and to say, hey, we know who does have the answers to all these questions and the one who is the answer to all of the ultimate questions and we know where he's given us the best answers to our big questions in his word."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:17:47 → 00:18:06]

The Never-Ending Quest for Meaning: "I thought that finding the answers would bring my quest to an ending, but I find out now that it's just a brand new beginning."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:21:06 → 00:21:06]

From VBS Play to Published Author: "So in 2015, I started writing a play version of the Pilgrim's Progress for our VBS at church. And then that ended up that manuscript got picked up by a publisher, and they did an illustrated version of the Pilgrim's Progress. It's called Poetic Retelling of John Bunyan's Classic Tale is the subtitle."
— Rousseaux Brasseur [00:21:56 → 00:22:14]

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

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

Can conflict really help your family grow closer and reflect God’s purpose in everyday life?

This week on the Collide Kids Podcast, host Christen Clark sits down with Bill High, founder of Legacy Stone and expert in Christian parenting and family discipleship. Bill shares insightful wisdom on raising Christian kids, embracing conflict as an opportunity for spiritual growth, and creating a code of conduct that inspires faith and restoration within your family life. This episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration for strengthening faith at home during family time

Resources:

• legacystone.com
• Website: collidekidspodcast.com
• Instagram: @collidekidspod

Clip Finder:

The Purpose of Conflict
"When your family manages conflict well, then people will look at you and say, hmm, that's a reflection of the gospel, because conflict managed well brings about redemption and restoration. And that is the heartbeat of scripture. Redemption and restoration throughout the scripture."
— Bill High [00:09:00 → 00:09:21]

The Most Common Conflict Styles
"The most common conflict style is actually avoidance. So we want to sweep it under the rug and not talk about it. The second most common style oftentimes is eruption. You know, we just blow up and there's actually a really healthy middle in there."
— Bill High [00:10:00 → 00:10:15]

The Power of Mirroring in Communication: "if I mirror the conversation, if I actually can repeat back what you say to me, it's like 86% increase in comprehension because you know you're being heard and you actually are appreciating and feeling it."
— Bill High [00:11:49 → 00:12:03]

Redefining Legacy
"legacy is what you set in motion. And what that actually goes to is 2 Corinthians 5, 10 says that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be held accountable for our deeds in the body, whether good or bad. We're all going to stand there. That's what we're setting in motion that day in heaven, where every single one of us, moms, dads, kids, everything, we're going to stand there in heaven and we're going to get to see the fruits of what we invested in."
— Bill High [00:22:08 → 00:22:38]

The Power of Regular Family Meetings in Resolving Conflict: "when you're going to navigate family conflict, you want to have a regular family meeting. And on the family meeting agenda, have conflict on there. Is there anything we need to talk about? Is there anything maybe that didn't get resolved?"
— Bill High [00:24:25 → 00:24:39]

Parenting and Asking for Forgiveness: "So sometimes I've had to go to my own kids. I've got adult kids now. But you know, man, if I let my tone get out of the way, do I need to go back to them and ask for forgiveness too?"
— Bill High [00:25:54 → 00:26:06]

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

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