youngadults.today

Divine Appointments: How God Shows Up When You’re at Your Lowest In this powerful episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah sits down with his former professor Dr. David Watson to unpack divine appointments—the moments where God interrupts our schedules, meets us in our lowest valleys, and writes stories we could never script.

Dr. Watson shares his legendary “Rusty Tin Can” testimony of a miraculous $10,000 provision that saved his church and his ministry, and explains why “life is not fair, but God is faithful.” Together, Josiah and Dr. Watson encourage young adult leaders facing financial stress, ministry discouragement, or personal crisis with a fresh vision of God’s faithfulness, the power of testimony, and the call to live a lifestyle of availability to the Holy Spirit.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
What a divine appointment is and why it’s different from a planned, agenda-driven meeting
Why availability is greater than ability when it comes to God using your life
How God met Dr. Watson at the lowest point of his ministry through a stranger and a rusty tin can The full story behind the $10,000 miracle that kept a youth ministry building project alive
How testimony (combined with the blood of Jesus) helps defeat discouragement and spiritual attack Why you shouldn’t put your hope in people or organizations—and what it means to fix your eyes on Jesus Practical encouragement for leaders whose vision is bigger than their current resources
The difference between event Christianity and a lifestyle of following Jesus A freeing reminder that you are a “one of one”—you don’t have to imitate someone else’s calling
How to begin praying daily for divine appointments and recognizing them in your everyday life

Next Steps:
Get Divine Appointments: A Life-Changing Journey by Dr. David Watson: [https://amzn.to/4iKfVkS] Learn more about Young Adults Today + get resources: [www.youngadults.today]
Partner or give to support this ministry: [www.youngadults.today/give]
Today’s sponsor – ManyChat (first month free): [https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/f733bj8zp3nb-ogcg6e]
Our local church partner, Emmanuel Christian Center: [https://www.emmanuelcc.org]
Connect with us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/
Former professor ‪@NorthCentralUniversityMpls‬

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah & Micah unpack the 7 biggest challenges facing young adult ministry in 2026—from pastoring your peers and fragile systems to undeveloped leaders, discipleship, and burnout. If you’re a young adult pastor, leader, or church planter, this conversation will help you build a ministry that’s not just growing… but actually healthy and sustainable.

State of Young Adult Ministry 2026 PDF: https://www.youngadults.today/book 

Covenant Eyes: First Month Free with code:“Young Adults” https://covenanteyes.sjv.io/75yOr3

Become a ministry partner through a monthly or year end gift: https://www.youngadults.today/give 

www.youngadults.today 

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Andrew & Emily Meade, founders of Elo Coffee Co., to talk about Gen Z loneliness, young adult ministry, and how a God-given dream turned into a missional coffee company that’s changing lives around the world. You’ll hear how a trip to Thailand, a prophetic dream, deep grief, and a burden for missions all converged into “exceptional coffee, meaningful impact”—and how churches can use something as simple as a cup of coffee to build community and fuel global kingdom work.

More about Elo Coffee Co: https://elocoffeeco.com/

We talk about Logos Bible Software! Your first month free to try: www.logos.sjv.io/qzMaXn  

www.youngadults.today 

Want better communication with your youth and young adults – without group text chaos and notification fatigue?

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah talk with Mason, Naomi, and Nathan about how they use the BAND app to build real community, disciple the next generation, and streamline communication for youth, young adults, worship teams, and volunteers.

We cover:
Why young adults aren’t just coming for worship or the sermon – they’re desperate for community and friendships
How a worship collective and a local church use the BAND app for: Event RSVPs and calendars Prayer requests and discipleship Volunteer communication & clarity Parents staying in the loop The shift from group texts, DMs, and random emails to one source of truth
Teaching young adults to honor their yes and no with calendars and commitment
Practical tips for starting or strengthening a young adult ministry in your church

If you’re a young adult pastor, next gen leader, youth pastor, or volunteer, this episode will help you remove confusion, clarify communication, and create spaces for real relationships.

📥 Free Resources Mentioned:
State of Young Adult Ministry Report: https://www.youngadults.today/book/p/state-of-young-adult-ministry-2026
10 Steps Ebook: https://www.youngadults.today/book/p/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry
📱 Connect with Young Adults Today:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/
Website & Resources: www.youngadults.today

Gen Z doesn’t want to attend another event—they’re longing to belong to a family. In this episode of the youngadults.today podcast, Josiah & Micah Kennealyunpack 5 things Gen Z actually wants from your church: authentic leaders, real community, meaningful opportunities, clear Bible teaching, and a faith that connects to real life.

If you’re a pastor, young adult leader, or volunteer wondering how to reach and retain the next generation, this conversation will give you practical handles and hope.

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/ 

In this episode of the youngadults.today podcast, Josiah and Micah sit down with Turbo, young adult pastor at Bethel’s Rock and leader at The Yard Young Adults.

Terbo shares his powerful journey from D2 basketball player to full-time ministry, how one invitation changed everything, and what it’s really like to lead young adults in a multisite church.

They talk about:

• Moving from “I love basketball” to “I love Jesus more”
• The story behind The Weekend and why one invite matters
• Building contagious community, consistency, and small groups
• Facing fears in ministry and learning to die to yourself daily

If you’re a young adult, pastor, or leader wondering how to reach this generation, this conversation will stir your faith and sharpen your strategy.

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/ 

Two-thirds of young adults (18–29) have walked away from church… but we’re also seeing an all‑time high in Bible sales driven by young adults, plus millions returning to a personal commitment to Jesus.

In this episode of youngadults.today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Daniel Young (Young Adults & Student Pastor at Eagle Brook Church) to talk about:

• His prodigal story and how Jesus recaptured his heart as a young adult
• Why the young adult years are the most spiritually dangerous years
• Real stats on deconstruction, disaffiliation, and the surprising comeback
• How Eagle Brook reaches young adults across 14 campuses
• Third spaces, after-parties, and creating transformational relationships
• How to disciple young adults so they don’t just love youth group… they love the Church
• Daniel’s top advice for young communicators: love the Bible, guard your private devotion, and love people well

Whether you’re a young adult, a pastor, or a ministry leader, this conversation will give you vision, language, and practical ideas for reaching the next generation.

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• The State of Young Adult Ministry Report – Download: [add your link]
• Eagle Brook Church – https://eaglebrookchurch.com
• Substance Church – https://substancechurch.com
• Book: “Dominion” by Tom Holland (church history + Western culture)
• (Optional) Church history convo with Todd Wilson & Carey Nieuwhof: [add link] 
  
  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/ 

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with executive pastor and YA leader Jared Terpenning to reframe the so‑called “waiting season” as a growing season. They talk about honest community, roundtable discipleship in LA, and why investing in young adults reshapes the future of the church and our families. If you lead young adults—or are one—this conversation will help you honor the season you’re in and build for generations to come.

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/ 

In this episode of youngadults.today, Josiah and Micah sit down with David Wright, College Pastor at Life.Church Stillwater, to unpack how their Late Night college service is turning college students from spiritual consumers into spiritual contributors.

David shares the story behind Late Night, why Sunday night church for college students works in a college town, how they retain and develop student leaders, and why simple, repeatable systems and clear discipleship pathways are critical for young adult ministry.

If you’re dreaming about reaching college students or launching a young adult ministry in your context, this conversation will give you both vision and practical handles.

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/ 

In this episode of Young Adults Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Chris Hilken—young adult pastor, widowed single dad of five, and lead pastor at College Avenue Baptist in San Diego.

Chris unpacks:

• Why young adults are the seeds of revival, historically and right now
• How a declining, aging church next to a universitybecame a movement of 1,200–1,300 young adults on Sunday nights
• His personal journey from pastor’s kid, to youth pastor, to teaching pastor, to single dad after losing his wife to suicide
• Why senior pastors must prioritize young adultswithout sacrificing their family, health, or boundaries
• The growing trend of young adults (especially young men) moving from secularism past Protestantism toward orthodoxy, and how churches can respond

This conversation is raw, practical, and deeply hopeful for anyone leading or dreaming about young adult ministry.

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/