For those who serve in student ministry, want to connect, and desire to grow. Hosted by Steve Cullum.
Episodes
57 minutes ago
57 minutes ago
What role does mental health play in ministry, and how can we create safe spaces for open conversations grounded in faith? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks to student ministry veteran and author of Shepherds of the Mind, Tomy Cummins, about mental health. Tomy shares how a wave of students taking their lives pushed him toward training and building a ministry culture where it’s safe to talk about depression and anxiety, seek help, and involve others when someone is unsafe. He recounts his own journey and explains how Ezekiel 34:4 frames his approach to shepherding. In addition to sharing what not to do, but Tomy points to Jesus as the model of grace and truth. Join Steve and Tomy as they discuss the need for student ministry pastors to seek community, reject isolation, and take the next right step toward better care for themselves and their students.
Links referenced in this episode:
- Connect more with Tomy at https://tomycummins.com
- Learn more about Shepherds of the Mind and find more resources at https://shepherdsofthemind.com
- Get a copy of Shepherds of the Mind - https://amzn.to/4eUukZY
- Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
- Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum
- Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
- Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
- Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
- Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
- Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com
- Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum
Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.
Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.
Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection
If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
How do we win with our boss or supervisor? No matter where we are serving, we all have a someone who is tasked to supervise us and help us lead better and achieve our goals. And on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Brent Squires on what mistakes to avoid, how to build trust, and how to lead up well.
Links referenced in this episode:
- Follow Brent on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brent.squires
- Follow NextGen Leader Coaching on Instagram - https://instagram.com/nextgenleadercoaching
- Get a copy of Leading from the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson - https://amzn.to/4mxi2sa
- Get a copy of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins - https://amzn.to/4sFdNwo
- Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
- Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum
- Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
- Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
- Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
- Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
- Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com
- Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum
Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.
Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.
Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection
If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
How do you go about making changes in your programming? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some tips he's learned over the years on how to lead change well, specifically in programming.
Links referenced in this episode:
- Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
- Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox at https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net
- Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
- Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
- Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
- Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
- Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
- Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
- Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum
Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.
Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.
Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection
If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
What’s the average salary of a youth pastor, and how do you go about getting a raise? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Josh Boldman, CEO of Download Youth Ministry, about the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report and more.
Links referenced in this episode:
- Get your copy of the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/2026-youth-pastor-compensation-report/admin-tools/organization-10762.html
- Check out all DYM's resources, events, and more - https://downloadyouthministry.com
- Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox by Travis Deans - https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net
- Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
- Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
- Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
- Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
- Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
- Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
- Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
- Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum
Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.
Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.
Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection
If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
What’s the one thing that can take your speaking and teaching to the next level? That’s what we’re talking about on this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection.
Links referenced in this episode:
- Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
- Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
- Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
- Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
- Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
- Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
- Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
- Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
- Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum
Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.
Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.
Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection
If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!