What's the difference between teaching a "good kid" and developing a godly one?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams sits down with Max Barker from Camp CoBeAc to talk about children's ministry, camp ministry, and one of the most important lessons Max has learned through years of working with children:

Don't just focus on changing behavior. Reach the heart.

Max shares how children's ministry impacted his own life, how God led him into camp ministry, and what he wishes he had understood when he first began working with kids.

We discuss:

✅ How children's ministry can shape a person's life

✅ Max's journey into camp ministry

✅ What years of working with thousands of kids has taught him

✅ Why fun should always have intentionality

✅ The difference between teaching good kids and godly kids

✅ Why correcting behavior isn't always enough

✅ How to use Scripture when correcting a child

✅ Why asking "Why?" can reveal a much deeper spiritual need

✅ How behavioral problems can sometimes open the door to gospel conversations

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that outward conformity does not necessarily produce inward transformation.

Our goal isn't simply to produce children who sit still, follow the rules, and behave themselves.

We want children whose hearts have been changed by God and who genuinely desire to honor Him.

Whether you're a parent, pastor, children's worker, Sunday School teacher, camp counselor, or youth worker, we hope this conversation challenges you to look beyond behavior and intentionally reach the heart of the child.

And stay tuned—this conversation continues in the next episode as we talk with Max about developing and training children's workers.

Want a Kids Ministry Training Booklet? Contact us here: chase@excellerateministries.com

Gospel Resources:

Dad Joke Tracts: https://excellerateministries.com/dad-joke-tract

Counselor Cue Cards: https://excellerateministries.com/counselors-cue-cards/

The Bible Way to Heaven Booklet: https://excellerateministries.com/gospel-booklet/

Donate to our ministry: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4894299

Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/excellerateministries

#ChildrensMinistry #ChristianParenting #KidsMinistry #CampMinistry #SundaySchool #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #Discipleship #CampCoBeAc #YouthMinistry

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How do you train children's ministry workers to become more effective—not just at working with kids, but in their own walk with God?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams continues his conversation with Max Barker from Camp CoBeAc about developing children's and youth ministry workers.

After years of training junior counselors and working with children, teens, and summer staff, Max shares some of the principles he's learned about developing people for ministry.

We talk about:

✅ Why you shouldn't train every worker the same way

✅ How knowing your workers helps you train them more effectively

✅ What qualities to look for in children's ministry volunteers

✅ Why patience is so important when working with kids

✅ How the fruit of the Spirit applies to children's ministry

✅ Why loving someone sometimes means confronting them

✅ How to correct a volunteer without tearing them down

✅ Why your reactions during games and activities matter

✅ One of the biggest mistakes new children's workers make

✅ How to help inexperienced volunteers learn from mistakes

✅ What every children's ministry training day should include

One of the biggest reminders from this conversation is that ministry should be an outflow of what God is doing in our own lives.

We don't just need better techniques. We need workers who are growing spiritually and allowing the Holy Spirit to develop Christlike character in their lives.

And when someone makes a mistake, don't give up on them. Help them live and learn. God can use inexperienced, imperfect people who are willing to grow and faithfully serve Him.

Whether you're a pastor, children's ministry director, Sunday School teacher, VBS director, camp leader, or children's ministry volunteer, we hope this conversation helps you develop yourself and the people serving alongside you.

🎙️ The Great Commission Toolkit | Excellerate Ministries

If this episode helps you, share it with another children's ministry worker and leave us a review!

Want a Kids Ministry Training Booklet? Contact us here: chase@excellerateministries.com

Gospel Resources:

Dad Joke Tracts: https://excellerateministries.com/dad-joke-tract

Counselor Cue Cards: https://excellerateministries.com/counselors-cue-cards/

The Bible Way to Heaven Booklet: https://excellerateministries.com/gospel-booklet/

Donate to our ministry: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4894299

Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/excellerateministries

#ChildrensMinistry #KidsMinistry #MinistryTraining #ChurchLeadership #SundaySchool #VBS #CampMinistry #ChristianLeadership #GreatCommissionToolkit

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How do you reach more children with the gospel?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares 10 practical strategies that can help churches, children's ministries, Sunday Schools, VBS programs, and Bible clubs reach more children and their families.

The goal isn't simply to grow attendance.

The goal is to reach more kids with the gospel and help them become lifelong followers of Christ.

In this episode you'll learn:

🙏 Why prayer and fasting should be your first strategy

📨 How invitations and flyers still work

🤝 The importance of making first-time visitors feel welcome

🙌 Why acting in faith changes the way you prepare

🎉 How special days create opportunities for outreach

🏆 Using incentives the right way

📖 Why you should regularly teach on evangelism

👨‍👩‍👧 How kids can reach their own families

❤️ Creating a ministry kids genuinely love attending

⚔️ Using healthy competition to motivate participation

Throughout the episode, you'll be reminded that methods don't change lives—God does. But God often uses practical preparation, intentional outreach, and faithful obedience to accomplish His work.

Whether you serve in children's church, Sunday School, Awana, VBS, camp ministry, or another outreach, these principles can help you intentionally reach more children with the gospel.

If this episode encourages you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another children's ministry leader!

Want a Kids Ministry Training Booklet? Contact us here: chase@excellerateministries.com

Gospel Resources:

Dad Joke Tracts: https://excellerateministries.com/dad-joke-tract

Counselor Cue Cards: https://excellerateministries.com/counselors-cue-cards/

The Bible Way to Heaven Booklet: https://excellerateministries.com/gospel-booklet/

Donate to our ministry: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4894299

Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/excellerateministries

#ChildrensMinistry #Evangelism #KidsMinistry #SundaySchool #VBS #ChurchGrowth #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #ChurchLeadership #Gospel

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