How do you keep a room full of kids engaged, excited, and ready to listen?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams sits down again with Max Barker from Camp CoBeAc to talk about one of Max's strengths: leading from the platform.

Whether you're leading a VBS, children's church, camp service, youth event, or family program, there will be moments when things don't go according to plan. You may suddenly need to fill five minutes, wake up a tired room, transition from something fun to spiritual truth, or end an activity before you lose everyone's attention.

That's why Max recommends developing a "bag of tricks"—games, attention-getters, transitions, and other tools you can pull out whenever you need them.

In this episode, we talk about:

🎒 How to develop your own "bag of tricks"

🎮 No-prop games you can use almost anywhere

⚡ How to bring energy into a tired room

🎤 Using vocal inflection to keep kids engaged

😂 Getting kids, teens, and even parents involved

🙌 How to transition naturally from fun to spiritual truth

🎯 Why everything should be done with intentionality

🛑 How to know when it's time to end a game or activity

📈 Why you should end something while it's still at its peak

😬 What to do when something doesn't work from the platform

👀 How leading teens differs from leading children

One of the biggest principles in this conversation is that you don't have to be naturally gifted to become better at leading kids.

Build your bag of tricks. Practice. Watch yourself on video. Learn what works. Learn from what doesn't. And keep growing.

Most importantly, be intentional.

The fun, games, songs, and excitement aren't the ultimate goal. Use them intentionally to engage kids and prepare them to hear the truth of God's Word.

Whether you're a children's pastor, youth pastor, VBS director, camp worker, Sunday School teacher, or volunteer, we hope this episode gives you practical tools you can use the next time you step in front of a group.

🎙️ The Great Commission Toolkit | Excellerate Ministries

If this episode helps you, share it with another children's ministry worker and leave us a review!

Want a Kids Ministry Training Booklet? Contact us here: chase@excellerateministries.com

Gospel Resources:

Dad Joke Tracts: https://excellerateministries.com/dad-joke-tract

Counselor Cue Cards: https://excellerateministries.com/counselors-cue-cards/

The Bible Way to Heaven Booklet: https://excellerateministries.com/gospel-booklet/

Donate to our ministry: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4894299

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