Katie Cummins: Social Media, AI, and Camp vs. VBS

Katie Cummins: Social Media, AI, and Camp vs. VBS

What if your social media, your curriculum prep, and even your summer programming strategy could all work smarter — not harder? In this conversation, Katie Cummins, NextGen Director at Church of Hope in Ocala, Florida, pulls back the curtain on how she approaches three areas every kids ministry leader navigates: social media, AI, and summer programming. Katie shares how she uses her ministry's social platforms to equip and inspire parents rather than just push announcements, and why AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT have become a genuine part of her weekly workflow — from content calendars to curriculum prep. She also makes a compelling case for why her church ditched VBS in favor of overnight camp, and what it looks like when that investment pays off with real discipleship moments. QUICK LINKS: Simple Kids Ministry [https://simplekidsministry.com/] Sunday Shot List [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yl692c0p218t9ty6mh9u1/Sunday-Shot-List.pdf?rlkey=hsbycmkh44tr7tc7rqtp9xdvd&st=ed8jtgvw&dl=0] Top Kids Ministries to Follow on Social: Hope in Ocala Kids [https://www.instagram.com/hopeinocalakids/ ] River Valley Kids [https://www.instagram.com/rivervalley_kids/] Highlands Kids [https://www.instagram.com/highlandskids/ ] Grove Kids [https://www.instagram.com/thegrovecckids/ ] TBCO Kids [https://www.instagram.com/tbcokids/ ] Radiant Kids [https://www.instagram.com/weareradiantkids/ ] Zion Kids [https://www.instagram.com/zionsckids/] Eleven22 Kids [https://www.instagram.com/eleven22kids/ ]

Jana Magruder: What the Research Says About Kids and Faith

What actually produces lasting faith in kids? LifeWay has been researching that question for over a decade — and the answer keeps coming back to the Bible. Jana Magruder, Director of Kids Ministry Publishing at LifeWay, joins the podcast to talk about what that research found, what it means for the local church, and how it shapes everything her team builds. Jeremy and Jana dig into the origin stories behind The Gospel Project, Explore the Bible, and LifeWay's newest curriculum Hi-Fi — including the three-year research process that shaped it and why belonging and identity are at its core. Jana also breaks down LifeWay's "Big Picture Questions," a catechism hiding in plain sight, and why theological grounding for kids matters more than ever. QUICK LINKS: Flip the Script [https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/flip-the-script-P005842461] Nothing Less [https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/nothing-less-P005799608] Hi-Fi curriculum [https://myhyfi.com/] Explore the Bible curriculum [https://explorethebible.lifeway.com/] The Gospel Project curriculum [https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/kids/] Levels of Biblical Literacy [https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/levels-of-biblical-learning] "Big Picture Questions" resource [https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/big-picture-questions-and-answers] Instagram: @janamag Podcast: Kids Ministry Calling [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kids-ministry-calling-with-jana-magruder/id1026997147]

Amy Fenton: Building a VBS From Scratch

In this conversation, Amy pulls back the curtain on how one of the most popular VBS experiences gets made, from the messy, prayerful brainstorming process all the way to final execution. She shares what most churches get wrong about their VBS budget (hint: it's not the stage), where leaders consistently underspend their energy, and how her thinking has shifted over the years on whether VBS is really an outreach event or a discipleship opportunity. Amy also breaks the news on Orange's most unexpected collaboration yet: a full VBS partnership with Dude Perfect for 2027. She takes us inside how the deal came together, what it actually looks like in the curriculum, and why she thinks it has the potential to bring record numbers through church doors this summer. Plus, Jeremy and Amy close the conversation with something a little more personal — what it looks like to raise kids in the middle of full-time ministry, and the grace it takes to do both well. QUICK LINKS: HOW TO VBS Book [https://www.amazon.com/HOW-VBS-Pull-Your-Next/dp/B0GPMP9ZHQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EZOVTLWHVTNT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wnBeXM5Z-KgwWnCy5RBZZA.yWIX4JyHzW6TFL7xleAjE2OJhEXGNh-d2TOI_Zx3sDM&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+vbs+jeremy+oneill&qid=1781582151&sprefix=how+to+vbs%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1] KIDMIN U [https://simplekidsministry.com/certification]

Andrae Jones: Learn How Your Pastor Thinks

What does it look like to build a thriving kids ministry team — and lead the people above you just as well as the people beside you? Jeremy sits down with Andrae Jones, Kids Pastor at One Community Church in Plano, Texas, to talk community, culture, and what it takes to lead well over the long haul. Andrae shares how he helped launch DFW KidMin, a grassroots quarterly gathering for kids leaders across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We talk about why giving ministry away raises your stock, what the Netflix Q2 report revealed about church engagement, and how getting kids involved in serving shapes their faith for life. Andrae also breaks down how to speak your senior pastor's language — and why you need a 60-second pitch, a 5-minute pitch, and a full pitch ready at all times. QUICK LINKS: KIDMIN U [https://simplekidsministry.com/certification] OneHope [https://onehope.net/] One Community Church [https://visitonecc.com/] Andrae Jones on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/draejones/]

Justyn Smith: Spatial Storytelling in Kids Ministry

Justyn Smith has spent decades raising the bar for kids ministry — from building Disney-inspired environments at River Valley Church to coaching leaders and writing books that have shaped how the whole field thinks about volunteers, systems, and discipleship. In this conversation, Jeremy and Justyn cover a lot of ground — from what the Disney model actually teaches us about environments and family engagement, to the real ROI of investing in physical spaces (including a church that saw over 2,100 first-time kids in year one of their new building). They also dig into the staffing conversation: why churches are searching for unicorns they can't afford, why your next great kids pastor might already be sitting in your pews, and how flexible leadership structures could open doors to high-capacity leaders churches would otherwise never recruit. QUICK LINKS: Kidmin Magic [https://www.instagram.com/kidminmagic/] Justyn Smith's Books [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Justyn-Smith/author/B0CNZHGRVQ?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=d3f02ed0-feda-446c-ba02-7eb266a50b55] KIDMIN U [https://simplekidsministry.com/certification]