Reggie Hill, Young Adults Pastor at Journey Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin, shares his expertise on leadership development in youth ministry and how to avoid becoming "the lid" to your own ministry.

• Shifting from being the superhero who does everything to a coach who develops leaders
• Creating ministry tracks that help students find their leadership lane based on passions and skills
• Using tasks to develop people rather than using people to get tasks done
• Overcoming perfectionism that prevents us from releasing ministry to others
• Looking for FAT kids—Faithful, Available, Teachable—as potential leaders
• Developing adult leaders through clear expectations and consistent pastoring
• Starting small with leadership opportunities that grow over time
• Focusing on outcomes over outputs when training leaders
• Understanding that students remember their relationships with leaders more than sermons

Remember, don't just prepare a message, prepare messengers. Jesus didn't just gather followers—He developed leaders who would carry His message forward.

Connect with Reggie!

Follow him on IG @_reggiehill or check out his website https://www.reggiehill.com/epk

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Ever notice how you can tell when someone has been with Jesus? There's something different about them—a presence, a peace, a perspective that stands out in our chaotic world. In this transformative episode of Vitals for Youth Ministry, National Youth Director for the Assemblies of God Austin Westlake reveals how consistent spiritual disciplines create the foundation for effective ministry and personal transformation during life's most challenging seasons.

Austin takes us on his remarkable journey from a third-generation minister who grew "casual to the things of God" to finding his calling at a National Youth Convention, and ultimately facing a rare male breast cancer diagnosis that would transform his relationship with God. With raw authenticity, he shares how years of established morning devotional habits carried him through chemotherapy, surgery, and the birth of his third child during treatment. "When you're walking through the deepest, darkest valley of your life and you're still just getting up and spending time with the Lord because this is part of who you are—you give the Lord a chance to speak first. Before the negativity can hit you, before the reality of your diagnosis hits you."

The conversation reveals a profound truth for youth ministers: we reproduce who we are, not what we say. Austin observed that whatever he prioritized in his own life—whether sports, fashion, or spiritual disciplines—his students naturally reflected those same priorities. For leaders struggling to establish or maintain spiritual disciplines, his practical advice includes finding accountability partners who will check on your Bible reading, writing down specific time commitments, and recognizing that seemingly "unproductive" moments with God often prepare us for ministry moments we couldn't anticipate.

Perhaps most compelling is Austin's counter-cultural perspective on ministry influence: "I am terrified of stepping onto a platform I have not been anointed for." In a world obsessed with gaining platforms and followers, this refreshing outlook encourages youth ministers to seek God's timing and preparation rather than chasing opportunities prematurely. The most impactful leaders aren't necessarily the most talented, but those with a demonstrable, authentic relationship with Jesus—something students can immediately sense.

Ready to transform your ministry by first transforming your own spiritual life? Listen now and discover practical steps to model authentic spirituality that your students will naturally want to follow.

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Micah Mac joins us to vulnerably share how a painful season of ministry—feeling inadequate, discouraged, and even depressed—became the catalyst for his most significant leadership growth. With remarkable transparency, Micah reveals the exact moment he discovered a framework for personal development that not only changed his ministry trajectory but eventually transformed his entire church staff.

The conversation dives deep into practical steps for creating your own growth plan, focusing on spiritual, physical, and mental development. Micah outlines how setting achievable goals, finding meaningful accountability, and maintaining a compelling vision can help any leader overcome comparison and discouragement. You'll learn why starting small generates the momentum needed to sustain lifelong growth.

Perhaps most powerful is Micah's assertion that "every time a leader grows, people win." This perspective shifts our understanding of personal development from self-improvement to stewardship. The tools, insights, and wisdom gained from consistent growth become a rich resource that serves you—and those you lead—for years to come.

Whether you're struggling through a difficult ministry season or simply looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this conversation offers both the inspiration and practical framework to help you become the leader God has called you to be.

Connect with Micah Mack on social media @PastorMicahMac or visit http://mac-ministries.com/to learn more about his resources, including his book "Death to Life."

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