We get the challenges ministries face every week: limited time with kids, volunteers stretched too thin, parents unsure how to lead faith at home, and the overwhelming weight of ministry responsibilities.

We asked ourselves: What if there was a way to bring it all together? What if churches could access everything they need—content, strategy, and technology—in one place?

That’s why we created Amazing+.

So Much More Than Curriculum

Amazing+ is our new signature subscription—your one-stop hub for equipping every age and stage of ministry, from babies to high school. It’s more than just content; it’s a strategy that empowers churches and families to work together to build a lasting faith.

With Amazing+, you get:

• A Birth-to-18 Curriculum Strategy: Unified, Gospel-centered discipleship across every phase of a kid’s life.
  
• World-Class Media: Bible-based lessons, worship, and teaching resources that engage every generation.
  
• Powerful Ministry Tools: Technology that helps you present, organize, and share media playlists, housed in one unified system called APlay, that makes leading, planning, and equipping families simpler than ever.
  
• Customizable Experiences: Volunteer resources, family engagement strategies, Spanish translation, and music designed to fit your ministry’s unique needs.
  
• An App just for Parents: Parents report feeling ill-equipped to lead their kids spiritually. That’s why we created the Parent+ App—a tool that equips parents with this Sunday’s lesson, conversation starters, memory verse, and so much more, right in their pocket.

Why Amazing+? Why Now?

In today’s world, ministry leaders don’t just need curriculum. They need a holistic strategy, grounded in theology and tailored by technology, that makes it possible to thrive in the complexity of modern ministry.

We believe the Church and the home were designed to partner together. A parent has 3,000+ hours each year with their kids, while most churches only get about 40. Amazing+ helps you bridge that gap with resources that equip parents to lead faith conversations all week long—while giving you the tools to maximize every moment at church.

The Future of Discipleship Starts Here

Amazing+ is more than a subscription. It’s the next chapter of how we equip the Church to redefine what’s possible for the next generation.

Together, we can:

• Help kids and students build authentic, lasting faith.
  
• Empower parents to lead with confidence at home.
  
• Equip volunteers with resources that make serving joyful.
  
• Multiply your impact with tools designed to simplify ministry.

This is the future we’ve been building toward for decades, and it starts now.

Are You Ready?

Amazing+ is here. It’s everything you love about Orange strategy, now in one place, built to serve your church today and shape generations to come.

Get the Whole Strategy Today.

The post Introducing Amazing+: A Complete Strategy for Next Gen Ministry appeared first on Think Orange.

Most parents want to disciple their kids but feel unsure where to start. What do I say? How do I bring up faith in everyday life? Without help, those 3,000 hours slip away.

A Bridge Between Sunday and Every Day

What if parents could open their phone and see exactly what their kids learned on Sunday, plus a simple way to carry it into mealtime, car rides, or bedtime? What if faith at home felt less like pressure and more like natural, repeatable moments?

That’s the vision behind our brand-new, for-your-church app: Parent+.

Introducing Parent+

Parent+ is a customizable, church-branded app that puts your discipleship strategy right into the hands of families. Powered by the technology of Amazing Life and the Orange strategy of biblically grounded, age-specific content, it brings Sunday’s lessons into the rhythms of everyday life with videos, conversation starters, devotionals, and activities.

And because it’s your church’s name, colors, and logo on the app—not a brand parents don’t recognize—every notification feels like a trusted nudge from their own pastor and leaders.

What’s Included

Inside Parent+, families find:

• Weekly video lessons that match what kids and students learned on Sunday.
  
• Quick conversation starters to spark meaningful talk in just a minute or two.
  
• Devotionals and reflection questions for older kids and students.
  
• Family activities that turn faith into shared experiences.
  

For Amazing+ churches, Parent+ is included at no additional cost. Parents download it for free on iOS or Android, and setup takes minutes.

Ready to Move from 40 Hours to 3,000?

Small, repeatable moments over time add up to powerful spiritual formation. And Parent+ helps you make them happen.

At breakfast, a 90-second question sparks family conversation.
In the car, a quick prompt connects faith to real life.
At bedtime, a short devotional closes the day with peace and purpose.

Parent+ helps you bridge the gap between Sunday and everyday, equipping parents to disciple their kids with confidence. It’s simple, practical, and included with an Amazing+ subscription.

Parent+: Your church’s discipleship, every day of the week.

The post Parent+: Put Your Ministry in Parents’ Hands Every Day of the Week appeared first on Think Orange.

We know you want your teams to walk into Sunday confident, equipped, and ready.

Prepared Teams, Powerful Moments

What if every leader could preview the service before the weekend? What if they could rehearse transitions, learn the memory verse, and get familiar with worship motions ahead of time—so Sunday wasn’t the first time they saw it all come together?

Prepared teams create smoother services. Smoother services create fewer distractions. And fewer distractions make space for kids and teens to focus on what really matters: hearing and responding to the message of Jesus.

Meet: APlay View

APlay View is a simple way to equip your leaders by giving them access to upcoming service playlists. Once your playlist is built and published inside APlay, you can instantly push it to APlay View—a secure website where your volunteers can log in and see exactly what’s planned.

Every video. Every graphic. Every worship song, slide, and memory verse in the exact order you’ve created.

Your team can review it days in advance (or, let’s be honest, while pulling into the parking lot on Sunday morning). Either way, they’re ready.

How APlay View Works:

1. Build your playlist inside APlay.
   
2. Publish and push your playlist to APlay View.
   
3. Share the link with your volunteers and leaders.
   
4. Teams log in and preview the entire service flow. Anytime, anywhere.
   

Who It’s For:

• Children’s ministry leaders who want confident small group leaders and smooth large group experiences.
  
• Youth pastors who want their band, tech, and teaching teams aligned before students arrive.
  
• Volunteers who want to feel equipped instead of scrambling.
  
• Churches of any size that believe preparation makes space for God to move.
• Parents who want to review this week’s lessons and keep the conversation going with their kids at home.
  

More Confidence, Less Chaos

When leaders know what’s coming, they lead with confidence. Kids feel the difference. Volunteers aren’t scrambling; they’re present. Transitions aren’t awkward; they’re seamless. And the message isn’t competing with distractions; it’s amplified through clarity and focus.

That’s the power of APlay View.

It’s not just about sharing media—it’s about preparing your teams to lead kids and teens into life-changing encounters with Jesus.

Ready to prepare your volunteers with APlay View? Sign up for APlay today.

The post APlay View: The Ministry Preview Tool to Review, Rehearse, and Get Ready appeared first on Think Orange.

The Power of Events in Youth Ministry

Events hold a unique place in the rhythm of youth ministry. They offer moments for students to step away from their everyday lives and into environments where they can encounter community, fun, and faith in a fresh way. As Ayubu shared on the podcast, his church hosted a church-wide event to raise $15,000 for malaria nets. It wasn’t just a youth ministry event—it included every generation in the church. From walk-up music for the ministry teams to meaningful connections forged across age groups, it became an unforgettable experience.

Similarly, Sarah described an event called “Glow Turn” that transformed her church into a black-lit playground complete with laser tag and a glow-up station. These outreach events drew students who had never set foot in a church, creating opportunities to connect them to a faith community. “Sometimes,” she noted, “you need those extra hooks in the water—a different format or layout—that can help engage students who wouldn’t come otherwise.”

Chris reminded us that events create spaces for relationships to grow. One of his favorite memories involved a senior trip with a group of boys from an apartment complex he had been mentoring. For many of them, it was the first time they experienced “true brotherly love.” Events like these move beyond entertainment—they create environments for transformation.

Why Events Still Matter

Despite how busy students’ lives are, events continue to serve as crucial entry points for engagement. Here’s why:

1. Creating Unforgettable Experiences
   Shane shared about an event at his former church in Arizona called “Best Weekend Ever.” From tethered hot air balloon rides to slip-and-slides, the event aimed to deliver on its name while tying unforgettable memories to the local church. These experiences stick with students, helping them associate the church with joy, community, and belonging.
2. Building Relationships in Unique Settings
   Ayubu’s senior trip highlighted the importance of taking students out of their usual environments. Whether it’s a cabin retreat or a church lock-in, events create opportunities for students to experience community in deeper ways.
3. Engaging the Unchurched
   For many students, events are their first exposure to the church. Sarah described how her U-Turn events brought in kids who had never heard about Jesus before. These moments become “hooks in the water,” drawing in students who might not otherwise attend a traditional service.

Strategies for Marketing and Executing Events

Planning and executing youth ministry events can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can create something both meaningful and manageable. Here are some practical takeaways from the podcast:

1. Know Your Students

Sarah emphasized the importance of knowing your audience. Every event should be planned with all students in mind—especially those on the margins. For example, when organizing a camp, consider everything from cabin placements to recreational activities. Ensure there’s something for every student, not just the outgoing or sporty ones.

2. Involve Students in Planning

Chris shared a game-changing strategy: engaging students in the creative process. Hosting brainstorming sessions with sticky notes, snacks, and a vision for the event empowers students to contribute their ideas. Not only does this make the event more appealing to their peers, but it also gives them a sense of ownership. “The greatest billboard for any event is an excited and engaged student,” Chris said.

3. Plan for Belonging

Events should be approachable for all students. Sarah shared her approach to planning camps with intentionality, making sure the “furthest out” kid feels seen and included. Whether it’s through the way leaders engage or how activities are structured, the goal is to ensure every student feels like they belong.

4. Market Creatively

When it comes to marketing events, photos, videos, and testimonies from past events can be powerful tools. Shane highlighted how sharing images from past experiences—like students enjoying tethered hot air balloon rides—can spark excitement and curiosity. Utilize social media, student-led promotion, and personal invitations to spread the word.

5. Execute with Excellence

Planning great events requires attention to detail, collaboration, and adaptability. Chris advised against planning in isolation. Involving a team, whether students, leaders, or church staff, ensures every aspect is covered and executed well.

6. Follow Up with Intentionality

The event itself isn’t the finish line. What happens after the event matters just as much. Use follow-ups to connect students to small groups, mentorship opportunities, or regular youth ministry gatherings.

Final Thoughts

Events in youth ministry are more than just activities—they’re catalysts for connection, transformation, and growth. Whether you’re planning a glow-in-the-dark outreach night, a senior retreat, or a church-wide fundraiser, the goal is the same: to create spaces where students encounter God, community, and unforgettable moments.

As Sarah reminded us, “It’s not just about the talk on stage. It’s in the way we treat students and the way we plan for them.” By rethinking our approach to marketing and execution, we can continue to create events that matter and make a lasting impact.

What’s your next big event? How are you rethinking the way you plan and execute it? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!

Listen to the full episode, Rethinking If Events Still Matter in Youth Ministry, here.

The post Rethinking Marketing and Execution in Youth Ministry: Building Meaningful Events appeared first on Think Orange.

When I led a Bible study for high school girls, the blend of tech and tradition always stood out. Some brought paper Bibles, while others used their phones. Inevitably, phones became tools not just for reading but also for cross-referencing translations and taking notes. (Of course, they also occasionally Googled unrelated things that sparked unexpected conversations.) For students, their phones aren’t just tools—they’re extensions of their hands. Phones are where they connect, explore, express themselves, and, yes, get distracted. While tools like the Bible app are available, most students don’t know how to use them intentionally. So, how can we help students use this tool to grow their everyday faith?

If we want teenagers to build a personal faith beyond the walls of our ministries, we need to equip them with tools they can use every day. That’s where YouVersion comes in.

Why YouVersion Works for Teenagers

Incorporating YouVersion into your youth ministry isn’t about being trendy—it’s about meeting teenagers where they are. Digitally, developmentally, and culturally, YouVersion fits perfectly into their world. Here’s why:

1. Teenagers Crave Autonomy

Teenagers are in a stage of figuring out who they are and what they believe. This is a time of massive brain development, especially in the prefrontal cortex—the part responsible for focus, planning, and impulse control. They’re starting to take ownership of their beliefs, making this the perfect time to introduce tools that foster faith skills and independence.

YouVersion’s daily devotionals let students explore their faith on their terms, at their own pace, and in their own environments. This autonomy aligns with their developmental need for independence and is critical for spiritual growth.

2. They’re Digital Natives

Gen Z and Gen Alpha have grown up with TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram, where short, engaging content rules. They’re adaptable multitaskers, but deep focus can be a challenge. Thankfully, YouVersion is designed with these traits in mind:

• Access Anytime, Anywhere: Whether waiting for practice, riding the bus, or lying in bed, the Bible app is always available.
• Customizable Content: Many plans include videos and reflection questions. Students can explore reading plans on topics they care about—anxiety, relationships, confidence, forgiveness—and choose translations they love. They can even do plans alone or with friends, small groups, or family.
• Habit-Building Features: Tools like streaks and reminders help teenagers build consistent rhythms with God. It’s the spiritual equivalent of the Duolingo owl reminding you to practice your French.

Takeaway for leaders: Encourage students to start small. A three-day plan on a relevant topic is an easy, non-intimidating introduction.

3. It Connects to Their Emotions and Relationships

Teenagers experience intense emotions and complex social dynamics. The Bible app provides Scripture-based encouragement and wisdom to navigate these experiences. Plus, its social features—like sharing notes or completing devotionals together—create opportunities for connection. Faith isn’t just personal; it’s relational.

But… Let’s Talk Tensions

While YouVersion is an incredible tool, it’s not perfect. Here are a few challenges to consider:

• Distractions: The same phone that houses the Bible app also houses TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Encourage students to set aside intentional time for devotionals, perhaps using focus mode or finding a quiet space.
• Screen Fatigue: Many teens already spend hours on screens for school and entertainment. Balance is key; help them pick a time of day that isn’t surrounded by more screen-heavy activities.

Practical Ways to Use YouVersion in Your Ministry

Ready to get started? Here are some fun and creative ways to integrate YouVersion into your youth ministry:

1. Weekly Challenges

Create a weekly devotional challenge that ties into your teaching series. For example, if you’re talking about integrity, have students complete a YouVersion plan on integrity together. Use the app’s group feature so students can share thoughts and encourage each other.

2. Small Group Integration

Equip small group leaders to use YouVersion during discussions. They can:

• Quickly pull up Scripture passages.
• Share devotional plans with the group.
• Use the app’s discussion questions to spark conversations in the group chat after the gathering.

3. Partner with Parents

YouVersion isn’t just for students; it’s a great resource for parents, too. Share specific plans that align with what their teenagers are learning, giving families tools for faith conversations at home. This reinforces the idea that faith is a family journey.

4. Encourage Personal Faith Habits

Help students build routines by setting small, achievable goals, like reading one verse a day or completing a three-day plan. Features like streaks can motivate students to stay consistent.

5. Plan for Group Devotionals

Use YouVersion as part of events or retreats. Kick off a plan during the weekend and encourage students to finish it during the following week. This keeps the momentum going after the event.

Why This Matters

YouVersion isn’t just a tool; it’s an opportunity to help students integrate faith into their everyday lives. In a world of short attention spans, packed schedules, and endless distractions, the Bible app offers a way for teenagers to engage with Scripture on their terms.

And here’s the best part: It’s free! Whether you’re looking for plans that align with your curriculum (shoutout to XP3!) or want to encourage personal growth, YouVersion has countless options for every need.

Ready to Equip Your Students?

If you’re ready to incorporate YouVersion into your ministry, start small. Pick one strategy to try this month and see how your students respond. Over time, you’ll discover what works best for your group and how to make this resource a natural part of their faith journey.

As leaders, our goal is to empower teenagers to build a personal, everyday faith that goes beyond our programs. By teaching them how to use tools like YouVersion, we’re giving them a foundation that will grow with them long after they leave our ministries. Let’s help them take their faith everywhere they go—one day, one plan, one step closer to Jesus at a time.

The post Faith at Their Fingertips: Helping Students Use YouVersion to Build Everyday Faith appeared first on Think Orange.

Ministry is one of the most rewarding and impactful callings, but it’s also one of the most demanding. Whether you’re a youth pastor, spiritual director, or volunteer leader, the pressure to perform and produce results can often overshadow the importance of caring for your own spiritual health and soul care. In a culture that values busyness and success, many ministry leaders struggle to balance the call to serve with the need to rest and recharge. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour into others when you’re running on empty.

In a recent episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast, a panel of ministry leaders and spiritual directors shared their personal experiences, practical insights, and hard-learned lessons about the importance of leading from a place of spiritual wholeness. Let’s dive into the key takeaways and discover how you can thrive in ministry while nurturing your own soul.

The Pressure to Perform

One of the most significant challenges in ministry today is the expectation to perform constantly. Leaders often measure their success by attendance numbers, social media engagement, or the size of their events. While these metrics have their place, they don’t tell the whole story.

As one guest on the podcast shared, “I’ve experienced seasons where everything on the surface looked great—worship was thriving, retreats were full, and students were showing up—but internally, I was completely burned out. I felt like I was working for God, but I wasn’t with God.”

This performance-driven mindset can lead to dangerous cycles of overwork and emotional exhaustion. It reminds us that ministry success should never come at the cost of our spiritual health.

Does Your Spiritual Health Really Matter?

The short answer? Yes. Your spiritual health not only impacts you but also the people you lead. If you’re spiritually unhealthy, you’ll struggle to guide others to a place of depth and connection with God.

“You can’t lead others to a healthy place if you’re spiritually empty,” one panelist explained. “Eventually, your inner life will show outwardly, and the fruit you’re producing will reflect what’s happening in your soul.”

This truth challenges the notion that external success can compensate for internal struggles. Instead, it invites leaders to reimagine ministry success as more than just numbers and outcomes. True success is leading from a place of spiritual wholeness.

Practical Ways to Care for Your Soul

Caring for your spiritual health doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are some practical steps shared during the podcast to help you nurture your soul while staying engaged in ministry:

1. Embrace Limits and Set Boundaries

One of the most profound realizations for ministry leaders is that they are not limitless. Recognizing your limitations is an act of humility and trust in God.

“As leaders, we often feel like we have to be everything to everyone,” a guest shared. “But acknowledging our limits reminds us that we’re not the Creator—we’re created beings with boundaries.”

Setting boundaries might look like:

• Saying no to overcommitting your schedule.
• Creating non-negotiable times for rest and family.
• Protecting your Sabbath as a sacred day for rejuvenation.

2. Simplify Your Calendar

Ministry leaders often feel compelled to plan events around every cultural holiday or trend. But this can lead to burnout and rob you of time for personal rest and relationships.

“Stop trying to create a youth group event for every holiday,” one panelist advised. “Let students spend time with their families and use those moments to rest and recharge.”

Focusing on fewer, more intentional events can create a healthier rhythm for both you and the students you serve.

3. Develop Daily Rhythms

Spiritual health isn’t just about big retreats or sabbaticals. It’s cultivated through consistent, small practices in your everyday life. Here are a few ideas:

• Prayer: Experiment with different prayer practices to find what resonates with you. Whether it’s silent meditation, guided prayers, or journaling, creating a daily rhythm of prayer can deepen your connection with God.
• Silence and Solitude: While it may feel uncomfortable initially, carving out moments of stillness allows you to hear God’s voice more clearly.
• Mindfulness: Pay attention to the simple, ordinary moments of life. Whether enjoying a cup of coffee, walking around your neighborhood, or watching the sunrise, these moments can become sacred when approached with intention.

4. Lean Into Community

Ministry can often feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Surround yourself with trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual directors who can support and hold you accountable.

“Invite people into your life who will ask the hard questions,” a panelist shared. “Like, ‘When was the last time you took a day off?’ or ‘How are you really doing?’”

Community provides perspective, encouragement, and the reminder that you’re not alone in this journey.

5. Redefine Ministry Success

One of the most challenging but liberating takeaways from the episode was the call to redefine what success looks like in ministry.

“If your perspective of ministry success doesn’t change as you prioritize your spiritual health, you’re going to struggle,” a panelist said. “True success is about longevity and leading from a place of wholeness, not just achieving short-term results.”

This shift requires courage, as it often goes against cultural expectations. But it’s essential for sustaining a healthy, impactful ministry.

Overcoming Resistance

As you begin implementing these practices, you may encounter resistance—both from others and within yourself. Perhaps you’ve internalized the idea that rest equals laziness or that slowing down will lead to failure. These beliefs can be hard to shake.

“Pay attention to your resistance,” one guest advised. “What’s behind it? What fears or assumptions are holding you back from creating space for your spiritual health?”

By leaning into these questions, you can uncover the deeper issues that keep you stuck and invite God’s healing into those areas.

An Invitation to Lean In

At its core, caring for your spiritual health is about leaning into God’s love. It’s about creating space to be with Him, not just work for Him. As one panelist beautifully summarized, “God is already present in your places of vulnerability and need. When you lean into those moments, you’ll discover that He’s been there all along.”

So, as you head into a new season of ministry, take time to pause, reflect, and make your own spiritual health a priority. Whether setting boundaries, simplifying your calendar, or practicing daily rhythms of prayer and rest, remember that leading from wholeness is the greatest gift you can offer to those you serve.

You are not what you produce. You are God’s beloved—and that is more than enough.Listen to the full episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify today.

The post 5 Practical Ways to Care for Your Soul in Ministry appeared first on Think Orange.

Before we jump in, here are two big ideas to note:

When communicating to students, we’ll always believe your best option (if possible) is to have a live communicator deliver the large group message. Even better? Having a live communicator that your students both know and trust. Students are always more likely to engage with someone they know over someone they don’t.

In an ideal world, you would also have several equipped, live communicators with whom you could build a teaching team for your youth ministry (more on how to do that in this blog). However, if this is something you’re still working toward, these hacks are designed to get you by until that ideal world becomes a reality.

8 Hacks For Using Teaching Videos

1. The Ultimate Backup Plan

We recognize teaching videos do not give the same vibes as a substitute communicator, but they serve a similar purpose. Teaching videos can be your speaker whenever another better option for a communicator doesn’t exist. Your current team may literally only consist of you. Perhaps you’ve identified some people, but they still need some training. Maybe you have a teaching team, but it’s a busy season, or a last-minute emergency popped up. Maybe you and your team are just tired and need a week’s break from teaching prep. Whatever the reason may be, you’ll always have a teaching video ready to use when you need it.

2. Watch, Learn, Teach

Some people learn best by seeing others who have more experience in action. The XP3 team is intentionally inviting the best communicators we know to deliver our teaching videos. Watching them can be kind of a “Communicators 201” class for you and your team. Even if you plan to teach live, watching our communicators deliver the message first will naturally help viewers become better communicators. You might be reading this hoping to one day communicate on different stages in your church.  Using these teaching videos as a guide is a way to help you get there.

3. Delegate and Breathe

The average youth ministry leader has A LOT on their plate. Honestly, the responsibility of live teaching is one of the few that can actually be delegated when necessary. You’ll still need to prepare by watching the video to make any comments of correction or difference due to your theological preferences, but let the teaching videos do most of the heavy lifting for you. Also, the responsibility of teaching is what often scares most volunteers away from student ministry, so leading with “you won’t have to do any of the upfront teaching” often helps with your volunteer recruitment. 

4. Elevate Diversity

We believe every student needs to see both someone on stage who looks like them and someone on stage who doesn’t. Depending on where your youth ministry is located, who chooses to volunteer, and what programs students choose to attend; it can be difficult to turn that belief into reality. We intentionally strive for racial, gender, and ethnic diversity among our communicators in each series of teaching videos we produce. So, using the teaching videos brings that same diversity to the students in your ministry.

5. Multiply Your Impact

Maybe you’re leading a ministry that has separate middle school and high school gatherings, multiple services, or multiple campuses. With teaching videos, you can develop a system where, at whatever times/spaces make sense, certain groups receive video teaching while others receive live teaching.

6. Partner with Parents

For series on heavier or more sensitive topics (like sex, dating, mental health, etc.), you can use the teaching videos to allow parents to preview the content prior to teaching it to their students. This will better prepare parents for engaging in conversations about sensitive subjects and ensure that everyone is using the same language when navigating these topics.

7.  Engage On-The-Go Students

We believe every kid needs to see both someone on stage who looks like them and Think of your students who are travel athletes, marching band players, or cast and crew in the school or local theater production.  Due to those interests, they might miss several weeks in a row of your youth gatherings. Instead of just missing completely; a better option might be to make the teaching videos easily available to them to view on their own time. Some leaders create a private YouTube channel for this or Google drive for this. Empower them to stay connected to what their peers and small group leaders are learning even when they aren’t physically there.

8. Smaller Groups, Bigger Impact

Something we’ve heard from leaders of smaller youth ministries (15 students or less) is that having a speaker stand in front of smaller groups can feel awkward. Yet, watching a teaching video together might actually feel more natural. For those of you who have already purchased XP3 teaching videos, the “Integrated Teaching Videos” might be the best option for a smaler ministry. Look for that folder in your curriculum dashboard and reach out to your Orange Specialist if you have any questions.

I hope several of these hacks are helpful to you and make a positive impact on your youth ministry! Ultimately, here are two things to keep in mind. First, you and your teaching team are the last word on what is taught to your students. Yes, you may play a video to communicate the bulk of the teaching, but you are in control of how that video is set up and how that video is to be interpreted after. You and your team are still in control of how the Gospel is being taught in your ministry, exactly how it should be. Second, trust your gut on whether teaching videos will truly work and add value to your ministry. You know better than anyone what is best to help your youth engage with the teaching. We hope you have the freedom and resources you need to bring that engagement to your youth. 

XP3 teaching videos are best purchased alongside our XP3 curriculum. Click here to learn more and even download a sample of curriculum and teaching videos to try them out today.

The post 8 Reasons Why You Should Use Teaching Videos In Your Youth Ministry appeared first on Think Orange.

We’ve all been there—you know something needs to change…but you’re not sure what, when, or how. Planning for change can feel overwhelming, especially when Sunday is just around the corner. But whether you’re ready for a big shift in your ministry or just exploring ideas, here’s one thing to remember:

Innovation Takes Time

Ideas might come to you in a moment, but actual change? That takes time. It’s not just about launching a new idea; it’s about bringing others on board, finding the budget, and often getting the go-ahead from leadership. And even before you get to those steps, there are some crucial questions you need to consider:

7 Questions to Ask Before You Innovate

• Why are things the way they are?
• Where will change have the most impact?
• What’s actually possible?
• What’s wise?
• How do I start?
• What will I say to my team or leaders?
• How do I know if it will work?

Here’s the catch: You can’t figure it all out alone.

Innovation Takes People

To make meaningful change, you need a team. That’s the secret to lasting impact. You need leaders, thinkers, and partners who understand your unique context. These are the people who know why the trunk-or-treat works at your church or what a new program night could mean for families in YOUR community.

And…you also need people who don’t know your world. Outside perspectives bring fresh insights and help you see things differently.

Introducing the Youth Ministry Innovation Cohorts

That’s exactly why we created the Youth Ministry Innovation Cohorts. Over the next 18 months, you’ll form your own “innovation task force”—a team that knows your ministry inside and out. Plus, you’ll connect with other high-performing leaders like you and ministry experts who can bring that valuable outside perspective.

Most importantly, a personal ministry coach will guide you and your cohort through a trusted innovation process, helping you take practical, impactful steps toward your goals.

Is Innovation Worth It?

Is 18 months a long time? Yes.
Is change hard? Of course.

But here’s the bottom line:

Innovation Is Worth It

Real innovation—change that sticks—takes time, people, and effort. But at the end of it all, your ministry could be in a place you never imagined. Ready to make it happen?

Let’s do something new.

Ready to join our next cohort? Learn more here.

The post 7 Questions To Ask Before Innovation appeared first on Think Orange.

Here are 10 Christmas games that will add some merriment to your youth group this season.

1. Face Painting: Add a Festive Touch

What better way to kick off the holiday fun than with creative Christmas face painting? Set up a station where group members can transform into festive characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a snowman, or an elf. All you need is a volunteer with an artistic hand and some face paint supplies—red, green, white, and sparkles are always a must! Don’t forget to provide mirrors so everyone can check out their new holiday look.

Why it works: Face painting is a great icebreaker, allowing everyone to dive into the festive spirit from the get-go. It also adds a visual element of fun to the event, making it feel like an extra-festive Christmas party.

Pro Tip: Have a few pre-drawn designs for inspiration and keep things simple with easy, recognizable Christmas symbols.

2. Costume Contest: Looks that Sleigh

If your group loves a bit of friendly competition, a Christmas costume contest will get everyone excited. Encourage your students to come dressed as their favorite holiday characters—Santa Claus, a reindeer, the Grinch, or even a Christmas tree! Let each small group nominate their two best-dressed members. Gather all the nominees on stage, take a group picture, and let the audience vote by applause for the winner. Alternatively, you can have a panel of leaders select the top costume. Be sure to reward the winner with a festive prize like a gift card, Christmas ornament, or holiday-themed treat.

Why it works: A costume contest gets everyone involved and taps into their creativity while giving the event a fun, lighthearted vibe. Plus, who doesn’t love dressing up?

Pro Tip: Post pictures of the winners on your ministry’s social media, side-by-side with the character they dressed as for a fun “who wore it better” post!

3. Candy Cane Ring Toss: A Sweet Challenge

This Christmas twist on a classic game will keep your group on their toes—literally! Set up a series of target stands (cones, bottles, or even Christmas tree decorations) and provide players with candy cane-shaped rings. Each student gets a chance to toss the rings and try to hook them onto the targets. For a bit more fun, gradually increase the distance between the players and the targets to make it more challenging as the game progresses.

Why it works: Candy Cane Ring Toss is a simple game that’s easy to set up and play. It’s a fun competition, and it’s a great game for all ages.

Pro Tip: Consider giving small holiday-themed prizes for each successful toss to keep everyone motivated.

4. Christmas Karaoke: Fa La La La Your Heart Out

What’s Christmas without some music? Set up a karaoke station and let your group show off their vocal (or lip-syncing) talents with classic Christmas tunes. Whether it’s “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” or “All I Want for Christmas is You,” there’s nothing like belting out a festive song to get people in the holiday spirit. You can have individuals perform solo or get small groups to sing together. Turn it into a competition by having a volunteer judge or by allowing the audience to vote for the best performance.

Why it works: Christmas karaoke is a crowd-pleaser. It’s nostalgic, entertaining, and always good for a few laughs.

Pro Tip: Offer fun categories for winners, such as “Most Creative Performance,” “Best Group Sing,” or “Most Enthusiastic Singer,” to encourage participation from even the shyest members of the group.

5. Snowball Toss: Aim for the Win

Bring a bit of winter wonderland into your small group with a snowball toss game! Using balled-up paper or soft foam balls as snowballs, set up a target board with buckets, hoops, or a snowman cutout. Each target can have different point values based on difficulty. Give each player a set number of snowballs (3-5) and see who can rack up the highest score. You can even create team challenges to add a layer of competition.

Why it works: Snowball Toss is fun, simple, and easy to organize. Plus, it’s great for all ages, making it a versatile game for mixed groups.

Pro Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, decorate your targets with festive designs, like reindeer, elves, or a gingerbread house, to make the game more immersive.

6. Christmas Card Station: Spread Some Cheer

This activity encourages creativity while also giving students a chance to share the Christmas spirit. Set up a station with blank cards, glitter glue, stickers, colored markers, and other craft supplies. Encourage everyone to create personalized Christmas cards, which they can either give to each other, take home to loved ones, or donate to a local charity or nursing home.

Why it works: The Christmas card station is a quieter, more reflective activity, but it gives people a chance to express kindness and thoughtfulness during the holiday season.

Pro Tip: Provide sample messages or fun prompts like “What’s your favorite Christmas memory?” to get people started.

7. Elf Bowling: Knock Down the Elves

Take the traditional bowling game and give it a holiday twist with Elf Bowling! Decorate empty plastic bottles to look like elves—wrap them in Christmas paper or use markers and stickers to add festive details. Players will roll a ball (or even a wrapped present) to knock down as many elf pins as possible in one go.

Why it works: Elf Bowling is a fun, hands-on game guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. It’s a silly, lighthearted activity that’s easy to set up but adds a big dose of Christmas fun.

Pro Tip: Offer a prize for anyone who scores a strike to add an extra element of excitement.

8. Sack Race: Santa’s Gift Bag Challenge

Take the traditional sack race and turn it into a Santa-themed race! Provide each student with a sack decorated to look like Santa’s gift bag. Players will hop from one end of the course to the other, racing to be the first to finish. For an added challenge, place large inflatable “gifts” or presents along the course that players must collect as they go. You can even time each student to make it more competitive.

Why it works: It’s a high-energy game that gets everyone laughing and moving. It’s especially fun if your group has a competitive streak!

Pro Tip: Encourage students to wear Santa hats or other festive gear during the race to amp up the holiday cheer.

9. Snowball Fight Arena: Ultimate Showdown

One of the most anticipated events of the day, the Snowball Fight Arena will bring out the inner child in everyone! Divide your group into teams and arm each team with soft foam balls or balled-up socks as “snowballs.” Set up barriers, forts, or even just designated sides of the room for each team to hide behind and strategize. Then let the snowball fight begin! The goal is to eliminate players by hitting them with snowballs, but you can also incorporate other objectives, like capturing the other team’s flag.

Why it works: This high-energy game is a fantastic finale to your Christmas games session. It’s a physical, team-based activity that encourages teamwork and friendly competition between small groups.

Pro Tip: If you have a hosting segment in your large group experience, consider organizing multiple rounds or using different strategies, such as timed battles or knock-out rounds.

10. Awards Ceremony: Ring in the Victories

Wrap up your Christmas games with an awards ceremony! After all the games and activities, take time to recognize the winners of each competition—whether it’s best costume, best karaoke performance, or top-scoring team in the snowball fight. Hand out holiday-themed trophies, t-shirts, or even snow globes as prizes. This is also a great opportunity to celebrate students who showed great sportsmanship or holiday spirit throughout the event.

Why it works: Recognizing students adds a sense of achievement and excitement to your event. It also reinforces the joy of coming together and celebrating as a group.

Pro Tip: Capture the awards ceremony with photos and videos to share with your group on social media or in a recap email to keep the holiday spirit alive long after the event.

Spread Christmas Cheer All Year Long in Your Youth Group

Want even more Christmas fun? These 10 games from our Merry & Bright Carnival Night Christmas Party Pack. Step right up! We’ve got a Christmas experience for your youth group you don’t want to miss. Throw an epic Christmas Carnival for your student ministry with our FREE party pack!

Need even more ideas of what games you can use this holiday season in your youth group? Join our youth ministry Facebook community.

The post 10 Christmas Games to Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Youth Group appeared first on Think Orange.

When we at Springtide surveyed more than 1,000 13-year-olds earlier this year, this is how many of them defined that pivotal year from childhood to adolescence. New schools, changing bodies, different moods from day to day (or hour to hour!) — 13-year-olds deeply feel this time of transition. If you’ve spent any time with middle school youth, you’ve probably witnessed it firsthand.

Some aspects of teenage life remain constant, whether you were born 20 years ago or 60 years ago. Yet, today’s 13-year-olds may argue that being this age at this time is different than ever before — and as the eldest of Generation Alpha, they might be right.

Springtide studies young people 13 to 25, and as these Elder Alphas came on our radar, we wanted to understand what they thought about their identity, their religious and spiritual lives, the media and technology use, their political beliefs, and their experiences during COVID-19. So we asked them directly. Their responses became one of our newest reports, Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha.

While the 13-year-olds we surveyed are members of Gen Alpha, their responses don’t necessarily represent the generation’s current position or future trajectory. More research will be needed to understand if these insights represent the moment or provide a glimpse into the hallmarks of a generation. Yet, what this report does offer is a snapshot of a very important time in a young person’s life. If you work with 13-year-olds in your ministry, a sneak peek into their internal worlds could support stronger relationships with them.

Here are a few key insights:

Their most important identifier is being 13.

Given a list of options including gender, race, family status, and more, 13-year-olds most commonly choose age-group as the identity most important to them.

Race and ethnicity matters.

This aspect of identity feels especially important to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) 13-year-olds’, a third of whom say they have felt discriminated against because of their race or ethnicity. BIPOC 13-year-olds are more likely to feel that their race or ethnicity will worsen their opportunities in life, while white teens are more likely to feel that their racial identity will improve them.

Friendships feel central.

Many 13-year-olds say their closest friends include someone of a different racial identity, and that their friendships feel supportive and rewarding. When asked about why they’re on social media, most say “because my friends use it.”

Loneliness, worry, and anxiety happen.

Though far from dominating life, feelings of loneliness crop up at least sometimes over a four-week period for four in ten 13-year-olds. Half feel worried or anxious at least sometimes during the same period.

Religion and spirituality are a common part of life – and they care about it.

Large majorities of 13-year-olds identify as at least slightly spiritual, slightly religious, or both. Most live in homes where religion and spirituality come up in conversation at least sometimes. Teens who believe in a higher power and who see religion as personally important are less likely to report feeling unhappy or lonely over the past month.

One powerful insight we learned from this research is that 13-year-olds value their families, friends, and the trusted adults around them. This aligns with our prior research that underscores the power of having meaningful relationships with adults, whether you’re supporting their mental health, helping to develop their purpose, or guiding them in their religious and spiritual development. As a person in youth ministry, you are uniquely positioned to help young people grow, accompanying them as they navigate that awkward transition to teenage years or move into young adulthood. Creating and sustaining connections with those you serve now can help shape their paths – spiritual and otherwise- for a lifetime.

To read Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha, download it for free.

To learn more about Springtide and our work, check out our research.

The post What Ministry Leaders Need to Know About 13-Year-Olds appeared first on Think Orange.