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/ 

In this episode of YoungAdults.Today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Pastor Sam Hernandez, Young Adults Pastor at Elevation Church, to unpack how Elevation is reaching what many call “the loneliest generation.”

Sam shares the journey of building a multi-site young adult ministry across 20+ locations through worship nights (Chapel), YA nights, e-groups, clubs, and outreach. She talks candidly about the tension between image management and spiritual intimacy, the power of doing it doubting, and why authentic social media is one of the most strategic tools in young adult ministry today.

Whether you’re just trying to get a handful of young adults together or scaling across multiple campuses, this conversation is packed with practical handles, social strategy, and soul-level encouragement.

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/ 

Intimacy vs. Isolation: Young Adults, Loneliness, and Real Community
(with Christian Counselor Mike Kerstetter)

Why are so many young adults feeling lonely, anxious, and burned out in the most “connected” generation ever? In this episode of the Young Adults Today Podcast, Josiah sits down with Christian counselor Mike Kerstetter to talk about the friendship crisis, the loss of third spaces, and the mental health warning lights that leaders and young adults can’t afford to ignore.

They unpack how intimacy vs. isolation shapes young adulthood, why AI can’t replace real relationships, how pastors and leaders can spot burnout before the “engine blows,” and why slowing down might be the most spiritual thing you do this year. This conversation is packed with language you can use with your team, your church, and your small group.

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 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/ 

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/ 

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/