Ministry to Youth Stories
Welcome to the Ministry to Youth Stories Podcast, where youth ministry leaders like you call in to share their stories.
Youth ministry is full of unforgettable moments, the kind that make you laugh until your stomach hurts, cry because you deeply care, and shake your head wondering, “Did that really just happen at youth group?”
Each week, youth pastors and leaders just like you call in on the show to share their most outrageous, hilarious, and inspiring youth ministry stories. From youth group game fails and camp chaos to heartwarming tales of life change, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes pass into the unpredictable world of student ministry.
Why Listen?
If you’ve ever:
- Cleaned up a youth room after a wild game only to find a mysterious smell that never goes away.
- Tried to explain theology while a middle schooler interrupts with “Would Jesus like Sour Patch Kids?”
- Wondered how other leaders survive camp chaos, volunteer drama, or awkward parent email.
Then this podcast is for you!
We believe youth ministry is one of the hardest, funniest, and most rewarding callings out there. That’s why every story we share is packed with honesty, humor, and encouragement. You’ll laugh at the ridiculous, learn from the messy, and be reminded why investing in teenagers matters more than ever.
What You’ll Get in Each Episode:
- Real Stories: Nothing scripted here. Just authentic stories from youth leaders in the trenches.
- Laughter Guaranteed: Camp bloopers, youth group fails, and more will keep you grinning.
- Encouragement & Inspiration: Even in the chaos, you’ll find powerful reminders of God’s work in students’ lives.
- Connection: Hear from leaders across the world who share the same joys and challenges you face every week.
Who Is This Podcast For?
- Youth pastors who need a laugh after a long Wednesday night.
- Volunteer leaders looking for encouragement and fresh perspective.
- Church staff who want to better understand the highs and lows of student ministry.
- Anyone who loves teenagers and the unpredictable, beautiful world of youth group.
New episodes drop weekly, and you never know what kind of story you’ll hear next.
Subscribe today and join the fun.
Shop our huge collection of youth ministry curriculum, series, Bible studies, games and more: https://ministry-to-youth.com/
Want to be part of the show? Visit https://ministrytoyouth.com/stories to share your own youth ministry story and maybe you’ll be chosen to call in on an upcoming episode.
Because let’s be honest: in youth ministry, it’s not a question of if crazy things will happen, it’s when. And here, every story is worth telling.
Episodes
13 episodes
The EpiPen Didn’t Work... Now What?
What happens when a mission trip to Cambodia turns into a race against anaphylactic shock — with a wheelchair heist, rats on the ER floor, and a $400 bill to save a student’s life? Or when a friendly game of broom ball ends with a youth leader’...
5 Youth Ministry Myths Busted
In this episode, Nick busts these 5 youth ministry myths:Spiritual growth just happens over time. Every event has the top the last one.I just need more volunteers.Wednesday night (or Sunday) is the mi...
Myth: A Healthy Youth Ministry is a Growing Youth Ministry
We've been told over and over that healthy things grow. If attendance is up, God must be moving and you're doing something right. But here's the problem: You can pack a room and no one knows a single student’s story. You can high-five a hundred...
Why Camps and Retreats Still Matter
Camps and retreats are often where God shows up in powerful ways, and Nick and Mikiala have the stories to prove it. In this episode, they share personal moments that transformed students’ lives and unpack how youth leaders can intentionally cr...
The Quiet Power of Consistency
In this episode, Nick Diliberto, Mikiala, and Lydia Halma talk about why consistency, mentorship, and safe spaces matter in youth ministry. Lydia shares how one-on-one meetings, intentional engagement, and steady leadership build tr...
Wish I Had a Trap Door
In this episode of Ministry to Stories, Nick sits down with Kristian Mendoza for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about those ministry moments when you wish you could disappear through the floor.From an unexpected small group conf...
Stories You Don't Tell the Senior Pastor with Jody Livingston
In this episode of the Ministry to Stories podcast, we tell stories your senior pastor never needs to hear (yes, they’re that good!).Your host Nick Diliberto and guest Jody Livingston (from The Longer Haul Youth Ministry in Youth Mini...
Accidentally Inappropriate with Marko
What happens when you’re a youth ministry leader for 44 years?You get stories. Some hilarious, some heartbreaking, and all packed with wisdom. In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Mark Oestreicher (AKA Marko), a youth minis...
Chubby Chihuahuas and Kissing Booths
Get ready to laugh, cringe, and nod along in this can’t-miss episode of the Ministry to Youth Stories podcast! Hosts Nick Diliberto and Mikiala Tennie sit down with Willie Register, a veteran youth minister ...
The Kid that Changed Everything
Big things are happening on the Ministry to Youth Stories Podcast! Host Nick Diliberto is joined by our brand-new co-host, Mikiala Tennie — and trust us, you’re going to love her.Mikiala opens up about her powerful...
We Lost a Kid (But Found Him!)
What’s every youth ministry leader’s worst nightmare? Yep, losing a student! In this episode, you’ll hear the wild (and slightly terrifying) true story of a student gone missing at camp. Panic, chaos, and a whole lot of “Cue the frantic search ...