In this episode, Andy explores why numbers alone can’t tell the real story of a youth ministry. Instead of focusing on size, he invites us to look for signs of genuine growth—numerical, spiritual, and lifestyle. When we measure what truly matters, we shift from chasing attendance to cultivating transformation, both in young people and in the life of the church.

In the busy seasons of youth and children’s ministry, it’s so easy to keep our heads down, push through the to-do list, and forget to lift our eyes to Jesus. But when life gets full, our need for his presence becomes even greater.

In this episode, Andy reflects on Psalm 63 and the life-giving difference between serving for God and serving with God. He explores how worship, Scripture, and simple moments in God’s presence can re-energise us when we feel tired, stretched, or spiritually dry.

Whether you’re heading into Christmas events, assemblies, clubs, or just a demanding week ahead, this short encouragement will help you slow down, refocus, and let the Lord refresh your soul.

Listen in — and stay close to Jesus this week.

This week, Andy explores the surprising truth that young people are shaped far more by who we are than by what we do.
Drawing from Hebrews 4, he challenges youth leaders to keep the Word of God alive and active in their own lives — because our greatest influence comes from how we model faith, not from slick sessions or clever content.
Practical, grounding, and full of gentle challenge.

This week, Andy reflects on how God uses every part of our story — our jobs, experiences, and even frustrations — to prepare us for His work.
Through the story of David and a real-life example from the Thrive team, Andy reminds us that our skills and experiences are never wasted when our hearts remain open and obedient to God.

Most churches want to see young people come to faith—but often don’t know where to start. In this episode, Andy shares why prayer is the most powerful and practical foundation for youth ministry, and offers five simple ways your church can grow in prayer for the next generation.

In this week’s Heart of a Youth Leader episode, Andy reflects on the story of Jonah — not just his disobedience, but his sleep in the middle of a storm.

It’s a powerful reminder of how easy it can be to drift through ministry on autopilot, doing what we’ve always done, while missing what God is really saying. Andy invites us to stop coasting, to seek the Lord afresh, and to make obedience to Him our top priority once again.

If you’ve lost some of your first love for ministry, this episode is a gentle wake-up call to rest, reconnect, and realign your heart with God’s purpose.

In this week’s episode of The Heart of a Youth Leader, Andy explores what it really means to live courageously dependent on the Spirit.

Too often, Christians underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit within us — the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Andy challenges us to move beyond comfortable routines and to invite the Spirit to work actively through us, shaping our hearts, transforming our youth ministries, and breathing life into our daily walk with God.

It’s an invitation to depend on Him boldly, not passively — for ourselves, our teams, and the young people we lead.

Should parents be leaders in the same youth group their teenagers attend? It’s a question many youth leaders wrestle with. In this episode, Andy shares his own experiences of leading all three of his children in youth ministry and unpacks 10 lessons he learned along the way. From avoiding embarrassment to building trust, encouraging independence, and creating healthy boundaries—this episode will help you think through the benefits and challenges of parents leading their own teenagers.