🚨 Youth & Kids Ministry Leaders—This is YOUR Moment! 🚨

Mark your calendars: September 6, 2025, is the day you take your volunteer team to the NEXT LEVEL. The National Day of Volunteer Training (NDO) is back, bigger and better than ever, with two powerhouse events—one for kids’ ministry volunteers and one for youth ministry leaders. Whether your team serves the littlest ones or navigates the wild world of teenagers, this training is designed to equip, inspire, and energize them like never before.

🔥 Why Should Your Church Host NDO? 🔥
Because volunteers are the heartbeat of your ministry! This 3-hour, video-driven event is packed with TED-Talk-style sessions, high-energy moments, and real-world training from the best in the business. Your volunteers will laugh, learn, and leave ready to make a bigger impact than ever before.

NDO KIDS: Training Built for the Next Generation of Church Leaders

👶 Kids Ministry Volunteers—We’ve Got You Covered! 🏆

Working with kids is amazing, rewarding, and… let’s be real… unpredictable. That’s why your volunteers need next-level training to handle everything from wild preschool energy to deep discipleship moments.

Meet the incredible lineup of speakers for NDO Kids:

✅ Kellen Moore – Next Gen Pastor & National Speaker
✅ Heidi Hensley – Kids & Family Ministry Veteran
✅ Ricky Jenkins – Senior Pastor & Storytelling Pro
✅ Erin Gaxiola – Kidside Director at Eastside Christian Church
✅ Doug Fields – Youth Ministry Legend & Co-founder of DYM

They’ll bring practical, fun, and powerful insights to help your team create unforgettable experiences for kids and families in your church.

NDO YOUTH: The Training Your Student Ministry Volunteers NEED

🧑‍🎤 Youth Ministry Volunteers—Get Ready to Level Up! 🚀

Teenagers need mentors, not just chaperones. And let’s be honest… leading youth ministry takes courage, wisdom, and probably a LOT of caffeine. NDO Youth is designed to equip your team to engage, disciple, and lead students in a life-changing way.

Here’s the dream team bringing the heat for NDO Youth:

🔥 Ricky Jenkins – Pastor, Preacher & Dynamic Communicator
🔥 Sean McDowell – Apologetics Expert & Youth Culture Guru
🔥 Heather Flies – Junior High Ministry Rockstar
🔥 Kevin Yi – College & Young Adult Pastor
🔥 Jessica Sanchez – Veteran Youth Worker & Leadership Trainer
🔥 Doug Fields – The Guy Who Wrote the Book on Youth Ministry (literally)

This training will empower your team to connect with students, navigate tough conversations, and lead with confidence.

Your Church. Your Date. Your Training.

💥 Here’s the best part: You can host NDO on September 6, 2025, OR pick a date that works best for your team. This is a turnkey event—just hit play, and let the experts do the teaching!

🎯 Your volunteers will leave feeling: ✅ Confident in their calling
✅ Prepared for real-world ministry
✅ Excited to serve like never before!

🔥 DON’T WAIT—Get your church signed up today! 🔥

👉 Register Now and make this the BEST year of ministry yet!

Let’s be real: being a youth pastor can feel a little lonely sometimes. Sure, you’ve got your middle schoolers who call you “bro” unironically and volunteers who text you last-minute cancelations, but what about real friends? You know, the kind you can talk to about ministry struggles without them suggesting dodgeball as the solution?

Turns out, the need for community in ministry isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a lifeline. And if you’re currently wondering, Where are all the other youth pastors hiding?, let’s dive into why finding your people matters and how to make it happen.

Burnout Is Real (And It’s Coming for You)

Let’s not sugarcoat it: ministry is hard. The statistics are out there, and they’re not pretty—lots of pastors are burning out, considering quitting, or wondering if they can list “professional snack buyer” on LinkedIn.

Burnout doesn’t just show up with a neon sign saying, Hey, you’re done! It sneaks in with red flags like:

• A fuse so short it feels like a sparkler.
• Feeling so tired you’d trade your soul for a good nap.
• Checking your email at 11:59 PM “just to see.”
• Thinking you’re the only one pulling the weight in ministry.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to hit pause.

Why Rest Isn’t Just “Nice to Have”

Let’s get this straight: rest isn’t optional. It’s biblical. Even God took a day off after creating everything. (And let’s be honest—He didn’t even have to deal with parents who think Fortnite nights are too much fun.)

But here’s the catch: rest isn’t just about collapsing on the couch in your sweatpants. True rest means doing things that actually rejuvenate you. Whether it’s taking a vacation, saying no to that extra event, or finally using your day off to recharge, it’s essential to make space for real restoration.

Advocating for Yourself (AKA Learning to Say “No”)

Here’s the deal: if you’re waiting for someone else to swoop in and set boundaries for you, you might be waiting a while. It’s up to you to say no when your plate is already overflowing and to push back when another task gets dropped in your lap.

And if your leadership isn’t modeling healthy boundaries? Be the one who starts the trend. Clear communication about your workload isn’t selfish—it’s smart. You’re not a machine, and your ministry will benefit when you’re operating at your best.

Finding Your People

Ministry can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to fight burnout is to find a community that gets you—other people who’ve been there, wrestled with it, and still showed up for youth group pizza night.

Whether it’s joining a local cohort, hopping into an online network, or just grabbing coffee with another youth pastor down the street, having a support system matters.

Because let’s be honest: your middle schoolers are great, but they’re probably not the ones you’ll turn to for advice when the senior pastor asks for a “quick” meeting.

Remember: You’re Not Alone

Burnout makes you feel like you’re the only one struggling, but that’s a lie. There are people who care about you and resources ready to help you. Whether it’s a mentor, counselor, or even just a trusted friend, don’t hesitate to reach out. And no, you’re not weak for needing help—you’re human.

Let’s Get Spiritual for a Sec

Here’s the thing: burnout isn’t just about your calendar—it’s often tied to your connection with God. When was the last time you spent time in prayer, really read the Bible, or just sat in silence? Ministry isn’t supposed to replace your relationship with God, but sometimes, it sneaks in and tries. Don’t let it.

Take the First Step

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to take action. Start small: say no to one thing this week. Plan a coffee hangout with another youth pastor. Schedule time with God that doesn’t involve planning a sermon.

And if you need a little encouragement or want to hear some real talk about all of this, check out the conversation I had with Josh Boldman, Derry Prenket, and Todd Pearage [You can watch it here].

Remember, you’re not in this alone. So go find some friends—they’re probably out there wondering where you are, too.