#98 The Impact of Men on Youth

Highlighting Youth For Christ Ministry

Guest: Ken Allen

Men’s Ministry Catalyst

Act Like Men- Men’s Leadership Podcast

Podcast Show Notes

Our guest on this episode is Ken Allen. He is the Executive Director of Youth for Christ for the Denver area. When Youth for Christ started, it was with rallies, meaning the youth came to a centralized location for the ministry experience. Now the ministry goes to the youth, in their schools, in juvenile justice, which is inside the juvenile detention centers. Whatever and wherever the ministry, Ken and his team focus on impacting a generation of young men and women to share with them that God loves them and they have a purpose.

Youth For Christ has just opened a Youth Center in the most violent zip codes in the Denver area. They are providing a safe place with activity, learning, and mentors. Today’s youth (Alpha generation) does not have an opinion of God or of the church. They have no experience with either, so it is a blank slate. A loving consistent

We are a ministry to men – we see the impact of fathers, or lack of fathers, in walking with their children in their walk of faith. What are you seeing in your ministry regarding this? The very sad statistic is that 85 to 90% of the majority of the youth who are being mentored in some manner do not have a dad in their life. Men they need us to be thein their lives who can provide what only a man can provide. Again, it is not about qualification, it is about availability, consistency, and having a deep love for our youth.

What are the needs of any YFC? For all Youth For Christ ministries around the country, they need the support of the local church, volunteers who will become mentors for a young man or woman who has no mentor in their life. It is not about qualification, it is about availability, consistency, and having a deep love for the youth we are working with.

To reach Ken or Youth for Christ, go to:

National Website: https://yfc.net

Denver Area: https://yfcdenver.org

As a reminder, our podcasts are released on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. For additional podcasts, go to: https://mensministrycatalyst.org/podcasts/

#97 Never Just Babysit Your Grandkids

Guest: Dr. Chuck Stecker

Men’s Ministry Catalyst

Act Like Men- Men’s Leadership Podcast

Podcast Show Notes

Dr. Stecker has given his ministry life focusing on intergenerational ministry. This involves bringing multiple groups together to impact each other spiritually, as well as assisting young people to move into Spiritual adulthood. A key understanding is that grandparents are some of the most influential people in the lives of their grandchildren.

In this episode, Dr. Stecker focuses on some key roles and some key skills to be intentional in impacting your grandkids.

A couple of the Key Roles:

You can connect their past to their future through your stories

Provide a safe place to talk about their challenges

Teach your grandchildren to dream

A couple of the Key Skills:

Honor their parents above all

Look for special opportunities to be with your grandchildren

If you are a grandparent, you have been given a golden opportunity you did not even have as a parent. Parents have to deal with the day-to-day. Grandparents have the opportunity to deal with their future.

You can reach Dr. Stecker at: info@achosengeneration.org

Visit the website to learn more: https://achosengeneration.org

As a reminder, our podcasts are released on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. For additional podcasts, go to: https://mensministrycatalyst.org/podcasts/

#96 The Pursuit of a God Sized Dream

Guest: Sean Rodriguez

Men’s Ministry Catalyst

Act Like Men- Men’s Leadership Podcast

Podcast Show Notes

This is a podcast you will not want to pass over. This will inspire you to grab your dream and let God bring it to reality. Be prepared to grow through the process.

Sean says: God gave us purpose, so we have to LIVE on purpose.”

Few artists embody the intersection of faith, family, and purpose-driven artistry quite like Sean Rodriguez. A next-generation pastor-turned-singer-songwriter, Sean and his young family took a leap of faith in 2022, leaving behind the familiar landscapes of Colorado to plant new roots in Nashville, TN. The calling? To create Christ-centered music that not only inspires but ignites hope in the hearts of today’s generations as they journey toward God.

“I want this music and its message to encourage as many families as possible right now,” Sean shares earnestly. “But even more than that, it’s our prayer that the seeds planted today will lead to incredible growth tomorrow. How incredible it is to think that God could use music to play a part in someone’s greater story?”

That vision is resonating powerfully. Sean’s late 2024 single, "It Is Finished" (feat. Disciple), has spent ten non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the CMW Rock Chart, while the title track of his WieRok Records album debut Jesus Will EP (2025)has amassed over 2M streams on Spotify and Pandora alone within its first six months of release. Compared to all of 2024, Sean’s growing catalogue has reached over 8 million streams combined on the top five global digital streaming platforms—an undeniable testament to the impact of his music and current audience expansion.

Sean gave us several key points that any of us can use to pursue our God given dream and be in a position where God can use our lives to make an impact.

1. You need a close advocate who has your back. Listen to what his wife said when he told her he believed God had called them to move. Immediate response: “I’ll start packing”!
2. You need someone who sees your future. He was visiting with his grandma when she said, “You need to pray for what you are asking God for, then you need to turn around and tell God, if it does not happen, I will serve you faithfully wherever you have me”. At that point, Sean had moved to Nashville, but was not recording or even using his music for ministry – he was just serving, waiting for God to open doors.
   
   
   
3. Know there will be disappointments, betrayals, and very low times. Sean’s word was that you have got to give up the pride of performance and the humility of serving.

This podcast is full of encouragement, biblical truth, and a focus on service.

To find Sean's music, type in any browser: Sean Rodriguez Music, and his music will pop up.

As a reminder, our podcasts are released on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. For additional podcasts, go to: https://mensministrycatalyst.org/podcasts/