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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How do you prepare a Bible lesson that children will actually understand, remember, and apply?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares the framework he uses to prepare children's messages that are clear, biblical, practical, and gospel-centered.

The goal isn't simply to teach a Bible story.

The goal is to teach people—not curriculum.

Whether you're preparing a lesson for Sunday School, junior church, VBS, camp, Awana, or another children's ministry, these practical principles will help you organize your message so children understand God's Word and know how to respond to it.

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ Why every message needs a clear purpose

✅ How to write an engaging introduction

✅ What a proposition is (and why it matters)

✅ How to move from Scripture to application

✅ A simple framework for every teaching point: • Supporting Verse • Explanation • Illustration • Application

✅ How to transition between points smoothly

✅ Why every lesson needs a clear conclusion

✅ Why you should write out your invitation

✅ How to teach both church kids and unchurched kids

If you're a pastor, children's worker, camp speaker, VBS teacher, evangelist, or Sunday School teacher, this episode will give you practical tools to communicate God's Word more effectively.

If this episode encourages you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another 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 #VBS #SundaySchool #KidsMinistry #ChurchLeadership #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #Awana #CampMinistry #BibleTeaching

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How do you build a children's ministry schedule that is both fun and spiritually effective?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares practical principles for planning a VBS, junior church, Awana, camp, or children's ministry schedule that intentionally points kids to Christ.

The key principle is simple:

Plan every minute.

When every part of your service has a purpose, you create opportunities to build relationships, communicate biblical truth, and give children time to respond to God's Word.

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ Why every minute should have a purpose

✅ How to balance fun with spiritual growth

✅ Planning songs, games, object lessons, and Bible memory

✅ Why children should know you're teaching from the Bible

✅ Practical ways to help kids find Bible passages

✅ How to use offering time to teach generosity

✅ Why object lessons should always point back to Scripture

✅ Giving counselors enough time during the invitation

✅ Promoting next week's service to encourage return visits

✅ Why children's ministry deserves careful preparation

Children's ministry isn't just about filling time.

It's about reaching children with the gospel, discipling believers, and faithfully stewarding the ministry God has entrusted to us.

Whether you serve in VBS, Sunday School, junior church, camp ministry, Awana, or a weekly children's program, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately.

If this episode helps 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 #VBS #SundaySchool #KidsMinistry #ChurchLeadership #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #Awana #CampMinistry #BibleTeaching

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How do you give a gospel invitation to children in a way that is both biblical and wise?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares 10 practical principles for giving clear gospel invitations to children while avoiding manipulation and helping kids genuinely understand the gospel.

Whether you're serving in children's church, VBS, camp ministry, Bible clubs, Sunday School, or community outreach, this episode is filled with practical advice you can begin using immediately.

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ Why prayer should begin before the invitation

✅ How to prepare counselors and materials ahead of time

✅ Why counselors should "peek" during the invitation

✅ How to plan your schedule for best practices

✅ Where to position counselors to reduce distractions

✅ Important child safety practices

✅ Why you should write out your invitation beforehand

✅ How to ask clear, age-appropriate invitation questions

✅ Different invitation methods and when to use them

✅ Why the invitation doesn't end when the service ends

One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is this:

Follow the Holy Spirit.

Every invitation is different, but God never changes. Pray, prepare, trust Him, and clearly present the gospel.

If you're a pastor, evangelist, children's worker, camp counselor, or anyone who has the opportunity to share the gospel with children, we pray this episode equips you to do it with both confidence and biblical wisdom.

If this episode helps you, please leave a review, share it with another ministry leader, and subscribe for more practical ministry training.

For a spiritual birth certificate, contact: chase@excellerateministries.com

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 #Gospel #KidsMinistry #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #SundaySchool #VBS #CampMinistry #ChurchLeadership

How do you get kids' attention—and keep it long enough to communicate truth that can change their lives?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares practical ways to help children listen, stay engaged, and focus while you're teaching God's Word.

From simple attention getters like clapping rhythms, competitions, the cheer ball, and the “bottle of silence,” to teaching techniques like object lessons, vocal variety, Bible storytelling, gestures, visuals, and strategic movement, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately.

You'll also learn:

• Fun ways to get a noisy group quiet without constantly saying, “Shhh!”

• How to use competition to encourage attention and participation

• Why complimenting good behavior can change the atmosphere of a room

• How to prepare children to listen before class even begins

• Why a sound system can make a major difference

• How object lessons and visuals can help communicate truth

• Why vocal variety and pauses are powerful teaching tools

• How Bible storytelling can capture attention without special equipment

• Where workers should sit during class

• How to handle distracting children without distracting everyone else

• Why some of the most disruptive kids may actually be potential leaders

• How to counsel children in conversation instead of only correcting behavior

The goal isn't simply to have a quiet classroom.

The goal isn't just to finish the lesson.

The goal is life change.

We want to communicate God's truth clearly so children can understand it, respond to it, and grow spiritually. Practical techniques matter, but ultimately, we need the Holy Spirit to work through us as we teach.

The goal: Be impossible to ignore—not so the attention is on us, but so children hear the truth God has given us to teach.

If you work in children's church, Sunday School, VBS, camp ministry, Bible clubs, bus ministry, or any other ministry involving children, this episode is full of practical tools you can put to use right away.

What's your favorite way to get and keep kids' attention? Share it in the comments!

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 #SundaySchool #VBS #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #MinistryTraining #GreatCommissionToolkit #ChurchLeadership #BibleStorytelling

Are your games helping you accomplish your ministry goals...or are they just filling time?

In this episode of The Great Commission Toolkit, Chase Williams shares practical principles for taking your church, VBS, camp, or children's ministry games from good to GREAT.

Games aren't just about having fun. They can help build relationships, reinforce biblical truth, create excitement, and open doors to share the gospel.

Using the G.R.E.A.T. framework, you'll learn how to make every game more organized, engaging, and purposeful.

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ Why games matter in children's ministry

✅ The spiritual purpose behind recreation

✅ The G.R.E.A.T. framework:

• G – Goal of the Game
• R – Rules of the Game
• E – Example of the Game
• A – Atmosphere of the Game
• T – Timing of the Game

✅ How to explain games clearly

✅ Tips for using microphones, music, timers, and volunteers

✅ Why ending a game at its peak keeps kids excited

✅ How games can help build relationships that lead to gospel conversations

Whether you serve in children's church, VBS, camp ministry, youth ministry, Awana, Sunday School, or community outreach, these practical ideas can help you create an environment where kids have fun while growing spiritually.

Remember:

The goal isn't simply to have fun.

The goal is to use fun as a bridge to the gospel.

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

Learn more: ExcellerateMinistries.com

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 #VBS #ChurchGames #SundaySchool #ChristianPodcast #GreatCommissionToolkit #KidsMinistry #CampMinistry #ChurchLeadership #Evangelism