youngadults.today

Side Hustles for Pastors: Closing the Financial Gap in 2026 with Tory Farina of RevFresh

In this episode of youngadults.today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Tori Farina, founder of Rev Fresh and creator of the new RevStream cohort, to talk about the real financial pressure pastors are facing in 2026—and how ethical, well-designed side hustles can help close the gap without compromising the call.

Tori shares the powerful story behind Rev Fresh (think: Make-A-Wish for pastors), how a three–week stay in a $4M beachfront home changed his family’s life, and why he now spends his energy refreshing ministry leaders with sabbaticals, medical crisis support, and financial help.

You’ll hear honest conversation about pastor compensation, side hustles, conflict of interest, family rhythms, and calling—plus practical side hustle ideas and a sneak peek into the RevStream beta cohort that will help pastors earn about $866/month in roughly 10 hours a week.

If you’re a pastor, young adult in ministry, or someone who wants to bless spiritual leaders, this conversation will stretch your thinking and give you concrete next steps.

Visit https://www.revfresh.org/revstream 

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

7 Trends Reshaping Young Adult Ministry in 2026

Young adults aren’t bored with the Bible… they’re bored with shallow expressions of it. In this episode of the Young Adults Today podcast, Josiah and Micah unpack the 7 biggest trends shaping young adult ministry in 2026– and what they mean for your church, campus, and calling.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:

1. Why community is eclipsing content for Gen Z & young adults
2. Why young adults are hungry for depth, not hype
3. How young adult ministry is growing but fragile (only 5% are established)
4. Why young adult leaders need more support than most churches realize
5. The rising desire for intergenerational mentoring & discipleship
6. How ministry is shifting from programmatic to deeply relational
7. Why churches are reawakening to the strategic importance of young adult ministry

📥 Download the full report – The State of Young Adult Ministry (2026)
Get the complete findings, stats, and insights from our nationwide study of young adult pastors and leaders:
👉 [https://www.youngadults.today/book/state-of-young-adult-ministry-2026]

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

Appetite + Aptitude: The Secret Power of Young Adult Ministry with Kylen Perry from The Porch

Is your young adult ministry built on personality—or on the person of Jesus?

In this masterclass conversation, Kylan Perry from The Porch at Watermark Church (Dallas, TX) joins Josiah & Micah to unpack what makes young adult ministry uniquely powerful, how The Porch has stayed resilient beyond any one leader, and why the next generation is spiritually “appetite + aptitude” on fire.

If you’re launching, relaunching, or leading young adults, this episode is packed with language, frameworks, and practical systems you can apply this week.

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps:

Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

We Need More Dads: Raising Resilient Faith in Gen Z & Gen Alpha with Griffin McGrath

What do you do when God speaks a powerful call over your life… and the next day your dad suddenly dies?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Griffin McGrath joins Josiah and Micah Kennealy to talk about loss, resilient faith, spiritual fathers, and a rising young adult movement in Arizona. From losing his dad at 15 to pioneering youth and young adult ministry across the desert, Griffin shares how secure attachment to God, spiritual covering, and real community can fuel resilience in Gen Z and Gen Alpha. If you’re a young adult, pastor, or leader asking God for your greatest kingdom contribution, this episode will stir your faith and give you language for what you’re feeling—and tools for what to do next.

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

10/10 Lead Magnets, Hooks & Texts: A Marketing Masterclass for Churches with Dillon Smith

Does marketing really matter for churches and young adult ministries? In 2026, the answer is a loud yes—if you want to actually reach Gen Z and young adults.

In this episode, Josiah Kennealy sits down with Dillon Smith (CMO.Church, former marketing lead for the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast & Life.Church Open Network, and former content manager for Carey Nieuwhof) for a masterclass in church communications, digital outreach, and AI.

Connect with Dillon Smith:
Website: CMO.Church

Join the Art of Leadership Academy and look for the Digital Outreach space: https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps:

Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

15 Creative Ways to Engage Young Adults This Summer

What if this summer became the most spiritually significant season for the young adults you lead? In this episode of youngadults.today, Josiah and Micah unpack 15 practical, creative, and low-pressure ideas to help you reach, disciple, and mobilize young adults in your church and community. From lake days and rooftop hangs to city impact projects, financial literacy nights, and leadership development, this conversation will give you vision, language, and plug-and-play ideas for the next 100 days of summer.

More about us: www.youngadults.today Resources & Action Steps:

Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/

Shepherd-Hearted Leadership: Reaching Into the Future of Young Adults with Dr. Nate Ruch

In this special podcast mashup between youngadults.today and the Shepherd Hearted Leadership podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Nate Ruch of Emmanuel Christian Center to talk about future-ready leadership, legacy, and young adult ministry.

Pastor Nate shares why young adult ministry is a “well” that shapes the rest of a person’s life, how to lead without burning out, and what it really means to reach into someone’s future as a shepherd-hearted leader.

You’ll hear powerful stories about legacy, succession, politics in the pulpit, and the moment Nate’s schedule literally put him in the hospital—and how God used that to teach him about limits, Sabbath, and identity.

If you’re a young adult pastor, next-gen leader, or ministry pioneer, this episode will strengthen your resolve to play until the whistle blows, build leaders (not just services), and leave a legacy in people, not just for people.

About Emmanuel Christian Center: https://www.emmanuelcc.org
Purchase copies of "Reaching Into Their Future" by Dr. Nate Ruch: https://amzn.to/4uHjefP

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps:
Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

 

From Christian Rock Star to Rock Bottom: Jason Dunn of Hawk Nelson's Comeback Story

From Hawk Nelson to Rock Bottom & Back: Jason Dunn on Prodigals, Deconstruction, and Starting Over

Former Hawk Nelson frontman Jason Dunn joins Josiah and Micah Kennealy to share his powerful prodigal story—from Christian rock fame, burnout, and blowing all his money in New York… to moving back in with his parents at 30, meeting his wife Neve, and rediscovering Jesus.

Jason opens up about deconstruction, doubt, and calling, and why he believes young adult years are so critical. He also shares the heart behind his new solo album “Formerly Known As” and his passion to make music that reaches everybody, not just Christians.

Order Jason Dunn's New Music and See Tour Dates: https://jasondunn.bandcamp.com/album/formerly-known-as

Follow Jason Dunn Music on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.dunn.music/

More about us: www.youngadults.today

Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the FREE June 2026 DIGITAL CONFERENCE: www.youngadults.today/digital-conference

Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133

Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry

Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

Young Adults Are Hungry for God (Backyard Nights Story) with Josh Wagoner and Blake Deprato

Backyard Nights: How a Once-a-Month Gathering Is Reaching Young Adults in Oklahoma In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Josh and Blake, the leaders of Backyard Nights—a once-a-month worship gathering for young adults in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. They unpack why young adult ministry is so vital in 2026, how Backyard Nights started as a side project and grew into a city-wide movement, and what they’re learning about community, accountability, and empowering volunteers to use their “5–9” to build God’s kingdom.

www.youngadults.today 

How to Disciple Gen Z & Young Adults in a Digital Age (with Dr. Darnell Williams)

From Status Quo to Curated Experiences: Forming Gritty Young Leaders with North Central University President Darnell Williams

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with President Darnell Williams of North Central University to talk about why the status quo isn’t working in higher education or the church, and what it means to move from being a repository of knowledge to a curator of experiences.

They dive into Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the drop-off after youth group and college, digital discipleship, grit, holiness, and how young leaders can finish well.

Guest: Dr. Darnell Williams, President, North Central University Hosts: Josiah & Micah Kennealy Theme: Young adult ministry, higher education, experiential formation, and leadership that lasts.

More about NCU: www.northcentral.edu
Join us for the YA wknd: www.youngadults.today/the-wknd

www.youngadults.today