If leaders need vision before the year starts, so do students. In this second installment of a two-part series on preparing for a new ministry year, Huey sits down again with Terrence Shay and Justin Wong to talk about orienting students well—not just handing them a calendar of small group nights and retreat dates, but answering the deeper question of what this year is actually for.
Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or watch the episode on YouTube!
Orienting Students for a New Ministry Year
As a new school year begins, youth leaders can do more than hand students a calendar of events. Before the busyness of school, sports, extracurriculars, and new schedules takes over, students need to hear why youth ministry matters and how their faith shapes the year ahead.
In this episode of the Asian-American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Huey, Justin, and Terrence discuss how to intentionally orient students at the start of a new ministry year. They discuss creating a welcoming environment, casting vision beyond logistics, building gospel-centered community, and helping students understand how youth ministry fits into lifelong discipleship.
Whether you’re preparing for your first youth group gathering of the year or have served students for years, this episode offers practical ideas and gospel-centered encouragement to help you start the ministry year well.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to make your first gathering feel welcoming and accessible
- Why the environment and room setup can communicate belonging
- Helping students understand the purpose behind different ministry programs
- Navigating school, sports, extracurriculars, and youth ministry
- Setting healthy expectations for community and discipleship
- Creating a gospel-centered culture where students feel welcomed and loved
Related Rooted Resources
If you’re looking for more ways to prepare for the school year ahead, explore:
- Helping Teenagers Experience the Body of Christ – Rooted Ministry
- How Identity in Christ Gives Teenagers Meaning and Purpose – Rooted Ministry
- Register for our annual Rooted Conference this October 22-24 in Nashville, TN.
- Rooted Youth Ministry Curriculum — Gospel-centered, inductive Bible studies designed to keep Jesus at the center of youth ministry.