Did you grow up in church and now wonder if you should stay? In this episode of Grown-Up Church Kids, Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema talk about pastors’ kids, church culture, childhood faith, ministry pressure, deconstruction, grief, and what it means to follow Jesus as an adult. If you’ve ever wrestled with church, Christianity, spiritual burnout, or the faith you inherited, there is room for you here. Grown-Up Church Kids is where Sunday meets real life, where there’s more of us than you think, and where stories are better than sermons.

00:00 Should Church Kids Stay?
01:07 Welcome to Grown-Up Church Kids
02:44 Growing Up Around the Pulpit
04:24 First Church Memories
06:17 Church Every Single Week
10:37 Black Church and Public School
12:23 Sheltered Church Kid Moments
18:09 Gospel Church vs CCM Church
20:50 Shama’s Missionary Kid Story
24:53 When Church Changed a Family
26:09 Church Planting in Tanzania
29:03 Pastor’s Kid Pressure
32:12 Choosing Faith for Yourself
35:21 Fired From Church Ministry
38:26 Old Church Kid Pictures
40:41 The Cost of Ministry Commitment
46:00 Trying to Be Perfect
47:58 Dwan’s Salvation Story
50:08 Childhood Faith as an Adult
53:21 Faith When Parents Get Sick
55:34 Wrestling With Disappointment
57:19 Grief, Joy, and Seasons
1:00:24 Deconstruction and Returning to Faith
1:01:56 Trying Church Again
1:04:03 Don’t Give Up

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Gracie Binion sits down with Dwan and Shama to talk about writing “Goodbye Yesterday,” hearing the audible voice of God, navigating fake prophecy, and what it actually looks like to release secular music as a worship leader. She opens up about growing up in a ministry family, leaving a toxic relationship, receiving prophetic words at 13 that did not make sense until she got married, and why she still believes God speaks even when the prophetic movement has been misused. Grown Up Church Kids is where Sunday morning meets real life.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #graciebinion #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Trip Lee was 19 years old when he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. He has never fully recovered. And in that body he has pastored churches, raised a family, and written some of the most worshipful music in Christian hip hop. In this episode of Grown Up Church Kids, Dwan sits down with Trip to talk about what it costs to follow Jesus when your body won’t cooperate, what it felt like to grow up caught between two cultures, and what he believes about a God who hasn’t said yes yet. His new album For Your Glory is out now. This conversation will stay with you.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #triplee #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Grammy-winning Christian artist DOE joins Grown Up Church Kids for a hilarious and honest conversation about growing up in church, and the rules a lot of church kids remember: no kissing, no Disney, no scary movies, no dating, and sometimes… no pants. From Pentecostal holiness culture and COGIC roots to Pokémon panic, purity culture, R-rated movies, dating, parenting, and spiritual conviction, this episode asks what protection was, what was fear, and what still matters now.

DOE also shares how her bilingual church upbringing shaped her worship, how her family prayer times formed her songwriting, and what motherhood is teaching her about raising kids without trying to fix herself through them. If you grew up in church and are still sorting through the beauty, the baggage, and the funny rules that shaped you, this one is for you.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

00:00 No Power Rangers in Church

01:29 Welcome to Grown Up Church Kids

02:21 Movies Church Kids Couldn’t Watch

08:58 Meet DOE

10:28 DOE’s COGIC Roots

14:32 Growing Up in a Bilingual Church

20:16 Multicultural Worship & Israel Houghton

25:57 Bible Games & Sword Drills

31:44 DOE on R-Rated Movies

32:45 “Demon in My Pocket”

35:37 Parenting, Pokémon & Conviction

39:31 Aladdin, Genies & Spiritual Sensitivity

42:47 Christian Content We Can Trust

45:53 Scary Movies & Fear

50:03 Dating as a Church Kid

53:50 Purity Culture and Marriage

59:09 The Testimony of Protection

1:04:47 Church Kids at House Parties

1:08:52 DOE’s Musical Influences

1:13:02 Songs Born in Prayer

1:14:19 Meet Baby Shiloh

1:15:44 Parenting Without Projecting

1:18:48 Final Thoughts & Songs

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #doe #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

In this episode of Grown Up Church Kids, Matt Maher joins Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema for an honest, eye-opening conversation about Catholic vs Protestant beliefs, church unity, saints, the Eucharist, and what it really means to follow Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered “Are Catholics Christians?”, struggled with church hurt, or felt disconnected from faith after growing up in church, this conversation bridges the gap with clarity, humility, and depth. From misconceptions about praying to saints to the meaning of communion and the beauty of liturgy, this episode explores how different traditions can still point to the same gospel. It’s not about winning arguments. It’s about rediscovering faith, unity in the Church, and a deeper relationship with God beyond performance, denomination, or tradition. If you’re a grown-up church kid trying to make sense of faith today, this one’s for you.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #mattmaher #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

00:00 One Church or Many?

01:06 Welcome to GCK

02:11 Catholic Curiosity Begins

05:48 Meet Matt Maher

06:14 Are Catholics Christians?

10:06 Do Catholics Worship Saints?

15:07 Is Heaven Closer Than We Think?

19:47 The Eucharist Explained

25:07 Why Catholics Believe This

30:31 “Catholic Then Saved?”

37:29 Why Church Kids Walk Away

41:35 Social Media & Faith

47:13 Is There Only One Church?

49:20 Why Young People Want Liturgy

57:04 The Problem with “New” Theology

01:01:11 How to Grow in Faith Daily

01:08:46 Unity Over Division

01:12:37 Final Thoughts & Music

What happens when you grow up in church but realize you don’t actually know Jesus? This episode of Grown Up Church Kids explores church hurt, faith journey, and the difference between religion and a real relationship with God. From surviving religious persecution in Nigeria to navigating American church culture, this conversation dives into spiritual burnout, authentic Christianity, and what it really means to follow Jesus beyond routines and inherited beliefs.

We talk about growing up in church, losing faith in ministry, and rediscovering God through personal encounter—not performance. If you’ve experienced church trauma, questioned your faith, or felt disconnected from Christianity, this episode will resonate. You’ll hear powerful Christian testimony, honest conversations about doubt, and insight into how different cultures experience faith, worship, and Jesus. This is about moving from knowing about God to actually knowing Him—and why that changes everything.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

00:00 “Come As You Are”… But Never Change?

02:07 Welcome to Church Kid Reality

04:00 Church Culture vs Real Faith

07:22 Why Worship Feels Different Now

10:02 Faith That Could Cost Your Life

13:21 The Power of Simple Kindness

16:00 “I Knew About God… Not God”

19:02 When Faith Becomes Personal

22:04 When Ministry Breaks Your Faith

25:02 When Church Doesn’t Hold Up

30:59 The Problem With American Christianity

33:10 What Other Cultures Get Right

36:04 Using God vs Actually Knowing Him

41:02 Comfort Is Killing Hunger for God

46:04 What Church Was Supposed To Be

49:16 Finishing Faith Well

54:42 Real Worship vs Performance

58:07 Why Authenticity Hits Harder

01:02:26 Why Imperfection Connects

01:05:07 Bible Bowl (But Make It Competitive)

01:12:35 Final Thoughts + What Faith Looks Like Now

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #calledout #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

“Everything happens for a reason.” It sounds comforting, but for many people it’s one of the reasons faith starts to fall apart. In this conversation, Ian Simkins calls out the church phrases and shallow theology that don’t hold up in real suffering, and why so many people who grew up in church feel disconnected, disappointed, and unsure what to believe. We talk about church hurt, leadership pressure, and what it looks like to rebuild an honest, grounded faith on the other side. If you’ve ever felt like church language didn’t match your real life, this conversation will put words to it.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #frannicash #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

In Episode 2 of Grown-Up Church Kids, Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema sit down with hip hop artist nobigdyl to talk about confessing sexual addictions, interracial marriage, and growing up COGIC.

If you grew up in church, this episode will feel familiar and maybe a little too real.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.

There are more of us than you think.

🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)

https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

🎧 Listen on Audio

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662

📚 Resources

https://amzn.to/3PISqfX

FOLLOW

More from Dwan Hill

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhill

Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/

More from Shama Mrema

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgram

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realz

Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/

More from Grown-Up Church Kids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/

Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/

More from nobigdyl

YouTube:

Instagram:

Website:

More from The Choir Room

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.choirisback.com/

CREDITS:

Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker

Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)

Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis

Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte

Video: Seth Scruggs

Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino

Management: Annie Cunningham

#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #frannicash #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid