In this episode, Amy, Chris, and Sass dive into the importance of connection. God designed us as relational people, wired to know and be known. Yet in the busyness of life, we often miss opportunities to truly connect. We unpack what that looks like in our church, especially as we help kids and teens build meaningful relationships that point them toward a faith in Jesus. But we don’t stop there. We also talk about practical ways parents can lead their families toward the kind of connections that give life and strengthen faith. Because in the end, connection isn’t just something we occasionally need to do; it’s essential to our health and well-being. If we want to see faith grow deep and last long, it makes sense to do everything we can to help families connect.

We also recorded a special bonus episode just for parents. In it, Brian and Ed offer specific encouragement and practical advice to help parents lead with purpose and faith through the youth sports journey. Share it with the families in your church or community!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, co-authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Youth Sports. Both Brian and Ed are seasoned dads, coaches, and longtime ministry leaders who have spent decades serving in the youth sports space. A few years ago, they felt called to equip parents with the tools and perspective they need to lead their families well, especially in a culture where sports can easily take over. This conversation is full of wisdom, insight, and practical guidance. If you're a ministry leader, you'll walk away with a few ideas for how to support parents who are navigating both the pressures and opportunities that come with youth sports.

We all grow up with a variety of experiences, especially when it comes to the different parenting styles we observe from our own parents and others around us. These different styles shape who we become, and if we’re parents ourselves, they influence how we raise our children. In this month’s M2P Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris explore how developing a healthy parenting style can help kids and teens grow into the people God has designed them to be. They also offer valuable insights for ministry leaders on how to support and encourage parents as they guide their children in both life and faith while continuing to grow and learn themselves.

As we march on in an ever-changing world, it’s sometimes hard to understand and lead people (especially kids, teens, and young adults) who are growing up and experiencing life through a very different lens than some of us older folk. Gen Z and Gen Alpha definitely experience the world in ways that are foreign to some of us adults, and we need to understand where they are coming from in order to lead them well. In this month’s M2P Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about some of the things we need to know about these generations, and they give some practical ideas for how to lead these kids and teenagers well without having to learn to speak their language. It’s a fun conversation, no cap. (I think we used that right! :)

It’s almost here! It’s that time of year when you need to stock up on sunscreen, check your travel plans one more time, and dive into a different kind of ministry. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about how we, as ministry leaders (and as parents), can approach summer with intentionality and excitement. The different pace of life and ministry gives us the opportunity to do some things we don’t normally have the time and space to do. We can focus more on the relationships we want to build instead of the programs we have to run. So, sit back, grab a refreshing drink, and listen to how we can all step into summer in a good and healthy way.

The season is slowly changing, bringing with it the promise of renewal and growth. As the world around us shifts, it's a perfect time to reflect on the new life we have in Christ. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about how they try to walk in the power of the resurrection in their own lives. They also offer a few practical insights for parents and ministry leaders on how to nurture faith within their kids, teens, and families. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, wisdom, or a few ideas, this episode will inspire you to lead others in living out the freedom and grace found in Christ.