Fun Resource: Slides With Friends
Bring Your Youth Ministry to Life with Slides With Friends Looking to level up your youth group sessions? Slides With Friends is a dynamic web-based tool that transforms ordinary slides into interactive experiences—think live polls, quizzes, word clouds, icebreakers, photo sharing, and more—all seamlessly accessible via smartphones or devices. It’s designed to engage, not lecture—perfect
- Published in Free Download, Games, Ideas, Resources, Tech Tips, usmb nextgen
New Location for ASCENT 2026
We are excited to announce that ASCENT 2026 will take place at The Crossing Retreat Center in Lexington, Nebraska, June 27 – July 1 (Saturday–Wednesday). For the past two years, we’ve been grateful for our time at Camp W.O.W., but a few weeks ago, we were informed that they could no longer host us on the
- Published in ASCENT, Membership, Parents, Senior High, USMB, usmb nextgen
How to Conduct a Job Interview for a Church Intern
Hiring a summer intern for your church—especially in areas like youth, worship, or kids ministry—is a big deal. You’re not just filling a short-term role. You’re investing in a future leader, someone who will be representing your church, connecting with people, and potentially exploring a lifetime of ministry. So how do you make the most
- Published in Ideas, Resources, Training, usmb nextgen
From Sunscreen to Syllabi: 7 Tips to Transition from Summer to School-Year
The summer was a whirlwind—camps, mission trips, water games, late-night heart-to-hearts, and maybe even a slip-n-slide baptism or two (JK). But now, as Walmart swaps out pool floats for pencils, it’s your cue: fall is coming. And with it, a whole new rhythm for your youth ministry. So how do you transition well from the
- Published in Ideas, Junior High, Leadership, Resources, Senior High, Training, usmb nextgen, Youth Worker Life
“Anchor Me” Worship Song (Written at ASCENT 2025)
One of the most powerful moments at ASCENT 2025 came from our Interactive Tracks, where many students—alongside our worship band, Generation Worship—felt led to write their own worship song. In just one hour, Anchored Me was born! This brand-new theme song captured the heart of our week and reminded us all of the firm foundation
- Published in ASCENT, Free Download, usmb nextgen
ASCENT 2025 by the Numbers
ASCENT 2025 was an incredible week full of energy, growth, and unforgettable moments! It was our second year back at Camp WOW, and we were excited to welcome even more people than last year. This year featured two excellent new speakers, Aaron and Amy, along with powerful worship led by Generation Worship. We also added
- Published in ASCENT, usmb nextgen
Top 10 Creative (and Slightly Ridiculous) Ways to Connect with Your Students at Summer Camp
Dear small group leaders, counselors, and cabin wranglers, Let’s be honest. Camp is wild. It’s loud, it smells like sunscreen and feet, and someone is always losing a sock. But it’s also a sacred space—where God can move in students’ lives at Kids Camp, Middle School Camp, or ASCENT. So if you’re ready to ditch
- Published in ASCENT, Junior High, Senior High, Small Group, Training, usmb nextgen
What Leaders Need to Know for ASCENT 2025
Getting ready for ASCENT? Here is everything you need to know to make sure your group is ready. THE PACKING LIST Here is everything you need to know about what to bring to ASCENT. Feel free to send this to your group. Try to remember to pack your trailer or bus with one side, males,
- Published in ASCENT
What You Need To Know To Have An Intern
Hosting a summer intern for the first time is both exciting and a big responsibility. You’re not just giving them something to do—you’re helping form a future leader, possibly even someone who will go into full-time ministry. Here’s a practical list of what you’ll need to know, learn, and prepare to make sure their experience
- Published in Ideas, Resources, Training, usmb nextgen
Why Your Church Should Sign Up for the Leadership Pipeline (Even If You’re Just Thinking About Interns)
What if raising up the next generation of church leaders didn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive? That’s the heart behind the Leadership Pipeline—a completely free resource that helps churches like yours identify, equip, and empower emerging leaders through practical tools and intentional support. Whether you’ve hosted interns before or are just beginning to consider
- Published in Leadership Pipeline, Resources, usmb nextgen
How to Create an Onboarding Process for Your Summer Youth Intern
Welcoming a summer youth intern to your ministry is exciting—and a little overwhelming if you’ve never supervised an intern before. Whether your intern is coming in with lots of ministry experience or this is their very first taste of full-time church life (which is more probable), a clear, thoughtful onboarding process can set the
- Published in Leadership, Leadership Pipeline, Training, usmb nextgen
7 Ways to Take Care of Your Soul (So You Don’t Burn Out and Start a Llama Farm Instead)
Youth workers, let’s be real for a second. Ministry is amazing, but it’s also exhausting. Between late-night texts from students, last-minute sermon rewrites, and somehow always being in charge of stacking chairs, it’s easy to run on empty. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour into others if your own soul is running on fumes.
- Published in Adult Volunteers, Ideas, Resources, Training, usmb nextgen, Youth Worker Life