Third Thursday Podcast

What happens when thousands of students gather to worship, learn, and respond to God? In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we recap the 2025 LIFE Conference—a week full of joy, challenge, and transformation. From the contagious energy that filled the arena, to the breakout sessions that stretched students’ thinking, to the powerful moments of prayer and surrender, this event reminded us what God can do when His people gather with expectancy. We’ll also highlight some of our favorite speakers, from Joel Muddamalle and Jada Edwards to Ken Castor, John Stumbo, and others—and point you to recordings so you can catch what you missed or rewatch what moved you most. Most importantly, we’ll wrestle with the question: How does this experience shape you, your leaders, and your students moving forward? 🎧 Listen in and celebrate what God has done—and consider what He’s calling you to do next. Show Notes Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

We’re hitting pause this month—for a purpose. With many of our leaders at the LIFE Conference, we’re taking space to listen, reflect, and process what God is doing. There’s no new episode this month—but that doesn’t mean the work is on hold. As you return from LIFE (or any big event), take a moment to revisit last month’s episode: “Getting the Most Out of an Event.” It’s full of practical reminders for debriefing, distilling takeaways, and leading students into transformation. 🎧 Scroll back and hit play—your leadership after the event matters just as much as what you did during it. Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Heading to a conference or event with your students? Don’t just survive it—lead through it. In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we talk about how to get the most out of any ministry event by showing up with intentionality, spiritual awareness, and a leader’s heart. You’ll learn how to prepare before you ever arrive, how to stay fully present during the experience, and how to debrief well afterward so real transformation can take root. Whether you’re taking students to a retreat or showing up to a summer conference—this episode will help you make it count. 🎧 Listen now and reframe how you lead before, during, and after your next big event. Better yet? Download the show notes to follow along. Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

We all want community—but are we building the kind God designed? In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we break down the key differences between worldly and biblicalcommunity—and why it matters more than you think. You’ll learn how true community is formed, what makes it last, and how to build it with your students and leaders. Stop aiming for connection. Start aiming for Christ—and watch real community follow. 🎧 Hit play now for a practical, convicting, and hope-filled conversation that will challenge how you lead and live in community. Don't forget to download the show notes to follow along. Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Ever feel stuck when it’s time to prepare a talk for students? You’ve got a message in your heart—but how do you make sure it actually connects? In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben Mcentee and Chris Tweedy break down a clear and practical framework for crafting talks that stick. Whether you’re sharing a devotional, leading a message, or stepping into a classroom or small group, this approach will help you communicate God’s truth with clarity and purpose. We’ll walk through the “HEY-YOU-LOOK-DO” method—a simple yet powerful tool for grabbing attention, building connection, unpacking truth, and calling for a response. You’ll hear why it’s critical to start with one crystal-clear sentence, how to make your opening matter, and why a strong close can’t be skipped. Let’s be honest: teaching isn’t easy. But it doesn’t have to be a mystery either. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I even start?” or “Is this really getting through?”—this episode is for you. Tune in, take notes, and bring a friend into the conversation. Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Youth group night is awesome—but is that the only way to connect with students? In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we dive into why reaching students beyond the walls of the church is more important than ever. We’ll talk about the theological and practical reasons for stepping outside our comfort zones, the power of parachurch partnerships, and simple ways to start building relationships—like just meeting three students and learning their stories. But let’s be real—this isn’t always easy. What if you don’t have a parachurch partner? How do you even get started in a school? And what about that nagging fear of feeling awkward? We tackle all of it head-on with practical insights and encouragement. If you’re ready to take student ministry beyond Wednesday nights, this episode is for you. Listen in, pray through it, read the show notes, and invite a friend into the conversation. Got questions or want more resources? Reach out at ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Discouragement—it’s real, it’s heavy, and at some point, we all face it. But how do we respond when it creeps in? In this episode of The Third Thursday Podcast, Chris Tweedy and Ben McEntee dig into the brutal roots of discouragement—why it happens and how we can navigate it with faith and resilience. Whether you’re in a season of discouragement or preparing for the inevitable challenges ahead, this conversation will equip you with wisdom, practical steps, and encouragement to press on. Take time to listen, pray through it, and invite a friend into the conversation. Don’t forget to check out the show notes. If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben McEntee and Chris Tweedy dive into strategies for managing challenging classroom dynamics while fostering a culture of love, respect, and accountability with special guest, Scott Palin. Learn how to lay the foundation by ensuring students feel genuinely cared for, walk through practical steps to set expectations, and handle disruptions effectively. Join us to explore how humility, consistency, and love can transform your interactions with difficult students. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for additional recommendations that couldn’t be covered in the show. If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben McEntee and Chris Tweedy share their favorite 2024 resources—Christian books, podcasts, and even secular tools—that have enriched their ministry this year. Join them as they reflect on the power of intentional learning and being mindful of the content we consume. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for additional recommendations that couldn’t be covered in the show. If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben is joined by Cassandra who serves with Envision (a missions structure of the Alliance) in Indonesia to discuss how youth leaders can integrate missions into student ministry. Cassandra shares advice on helping students discern God’s call to missions, emphasizing the need to ask thoughtful questions and recognize those with a passion for sharing their faith. This episode is packed with insights for youth leaders eager to cultivate a heart for missions in their students. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

In this episode of the Third Thursday podcast, Ben is joined by special guests Alex Hickinbotham from Yellowstone Alliance Adventures and Zach Zirbel from Dickey Lake Bible Camp. Together, they explore the unique strengths of camp ministry, including its ability to engage students and provide focused discipleship, while also discussing the limitations. Discover how camp ministry and church ministries can complement each other for greater Kingdom impact and learn practical steps youth workers can take to leverage their partnerships with camp ministries. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Let's face it, you probably didn't imagine hours of administration, policies, and procedures when you signed up to do youth ministry. I mean, we have verbally communicated expectations and our practices, that's enough... right? Join Ben and Harry as they share the 90/10 principle and how important it is that when we communicate and create clear policies and procedures, we will build trust with leaders and parents. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Yep, summer is going by already, but we have more fun ahead! How do we find the right balance between fun and serious? When does summer youth ministry begin? What might it look like? How do we look beyond summer and develop yearly rhythms and activities throughout the year? Join Ben and Harry as they share some of their ministry experience and top activities for youth ministry. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Ben and Harry have two special guests this month! RMD Assistant Superintendent Chris Tweedy and C&MA National Co-Youth Director Charles Amoh join in to talk about next summer's LIFE Conference. Everything from what is the LIFE Conference to big details, initial pro tips, and how the RMD is helping individuals go is discussed. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Ben and Harry start the episode with guest speaker, Julie Hunter, chat through what family ministries look like in her context in Helena, MT, and then work their way through the "What Now?" of youth graduation season. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Ben and Harry recap the Youth Leader Weekend at YAA. They share laughs, Uno stories, and how important it is to help your church live on Deuteronomy 6. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Ben and Harry chat through some of the numerous types of curricula to choose from. There are subscription-based curriculums, shorter series that run 4-8 weeks or longer, video series, and more! They share some pros & cons of each, how to discern and choose with wisdom, and then give some points for how to develop one yourself for your youth ministry! Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Special guest, Ken Castor, joins Harry and Ben in a round of get-to-know-you and talking about the upcoming Youth Leader Weekend. Plus a bonus quick round of 3 areas to help youth grow to hold us over until then! Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

Harry and Ben chat about the Third Thursday vision for 22024 with special guest, Chris Tweedy. Show notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.

How do we navigate the turbulent waters of meaningful conversation around volitle topics? Ben and Harry tackle this question and hope to offer some encouragement and guidance on how to have difficult conversations like Jesus did. Show Notes If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.