In this episode of Rooted, Justin sits down with Dorothy, Huey, and special guest Esther to talk about milestones, celebrations, appreciation, and annual events in youth ministry. Together, they explore what’s worth marking, how to celebrate students and leaders well, and how simple rhythms can build meaningful, Gospel-centered community—without overcomplicating things.

In part 2 of 2, we’re exploring the theme of “dark night of the soul” in Asian American youth ministry, sharing personal stories of spiritual dryness, ministry discouragement, and the hidden pressures that shape these seasons. We unpack how youth workers can recognize spiritual desolation in themselves and in their students, respond with patience and presence rather than quick fixes, and build healthier ministry cultures that allow vulnerability and support. The conversation ultimately points toward hope—trusting that even in fruitless, confusing, and silent seasons, God is still at work forming leaders, students, and communities for deeper faithfulness.

In this first of two episodes, we’re exploring the theme of “dark night of the soul” in Asian American youth ministry, sharing personal stories of spiritual dryness, ministry discouragement, and the hidden pressures that shape these seasons. We unpack how youth workers can recognize spiritual desolation in themselves and in their students, respond with patience and presence rather than quick fixes, and build healthier ministry cultures that allow vulnerability and support. The conversation ultimately points toward hope—trusting that even in fruitless, confusing, and silent seasons, God is still at work forming leaders, students, and communities for deeper faithfulness.

In today’s episode, we unpack on-the-ground insights from Rooted’s 15th Annual conference in Lake Forest, Illinois. Join Dorothy, Justin, and Terrence for this reflection from the 2025 Rooted Conference. Recent Release: Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders (Monica Kim & Danny Kwon) Rooted Reservoir - Luke/Acts Curriculum (Free download for Lesson 1 guides) Houston, TX folks: Mark your calendars for a youth workers’ training day on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a crucial but often overlooked part of ministry: onboarding and offboarding youth leaders. Bringing leaders onto the team well—and walking with them when it’s time to step away—can make all the difference for the health and sustainability of a ministry. We’ll share how we discern readiness, train and mentor new leaders, and care for them along the way. We’ll also dig into how to navigate transitions with grace—whether they’re healthy, painful, or somewhere in between.

Effective youth ministry leadership is not about building the “perfect” team—it’s about cultivating a culture of trust, gospel-centered relationships, and shared mission. In this episode, join Dorothy, Justin, and Huey as these veteran youth pastors think and talk through organizational leadership teams in youth ministry. In Asian American church contexts, this means paying attention not only to organizational structure but also to cultural dynamics that shape how teams serve and grow together. Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! Sign-up and scope out the workshops.Sign-up for the Asian American Pre-Conference lunch gathering ($35). The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi Rooted Mentoring Programs

In this part two episode of gearing up for the Rooted Conference: Huey, Terrence, and Dorothy give further insights regarding this year’s pre-conference gatherings--what they are, who’s going to be there, what makes it worthwhile to join, and how to sign-up. Additional conversation teases the Asian American pre-conference of ‘thriving in ministry’ and what that could be in immigrant contexts. Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! Sign-up and scope out the workshops. Sign-up for the Asian American Pre-Conference lunch gathering ($35). The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi Rooted Mentoring Programs Follow on Instagram @therootedministry. Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, as we ramp up for this year’s Rooted Conference, Huey, Terrence, and Dorothy share their past experiences with Rooted Conferences. We’ll hear what they’ve most enjoyed, appreciated, and gleaned. They’ll share what makes this conference distinct from other ministry conferences. Finally, we’ll share more details about our upcoming conference as we study The Church in Acts and explore a wide array of workshop topics. Gospel-Centered and Grace-Filled: Experiencing the Rooted Conference by Mary Beth Johnston The Importance of Ministry Friends by Connor Coskery Check out our Conference Webpage to sign-up and scope out the workshops. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, October 23-25! Follow on Instagram @therootedministry. Subscribe, rate, and review the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

The Back to School grind is real! In this episode of the AAYM Roundtable, Terrence talks with Dorothy and Justin about their preparation and priorities to maximize disciple-making. Along the way, the three share many practical nuggets of wisdom, as well as their pastoral burdens for local churches from an Asian-American context. A Back to School Checklist for Youth MinistersYou Can’t Do This Alone: Recruiting and Retaining Youth Leaders by Zac LuskNurturing a Youth Ministry Culture that Fosters Intergenerational Ministry with Danny KwonThe Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American EditionGet more info and register for the Rooted 2025 Conference (10/23-25) in Dorothy’s home city! FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry.Please rate and review the Rooted AAYM Roundtable wherever you listen to podcasts!

So much happens in youth ministry during the summer months that it can become a busy blur. Terrence hosts this conversation with Justin and Dorothy, focusing on the specifics of retreat planning and the how-tos of establishing healthy personal rhythms. The three practitioners conclude with encouragements for youth ministers to take care of themselves so they can persevere joyfully for the long-run. RESOURCES Rooted Podcast: Maximizing Summer Youth Ministry: Balancing Activity and Rest Practical Advice for Planning Your Next Youth Retreat by Josh Hussung How I Handle Discipline on a Youth Retreat or Trip by Ryan Oakes The Practical and the Personal: Keeping Up With Students After a Trip or Retreat by Rebecca Lankford The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry!

Part two of the "Seasons of Discernment" series delves into the expectations surrounding youth ministry searches, particularly within Asian American congregations. The roundtable discussion explores both the spoken and the unspoken expectations that churches have for prospective youth pastors, including program development, cultural sensitivities, and familial integration. The team also emphasizes the importance for candidates to discern these expectations through careful observation and insightful questions. Furthermore, the conversation addresses the expectations youth pastors should have of a church, such as adequate support and clarity on the role, encouraging proactive inquiry during the hiring process to ensure vision alignment and a healthy working relationship. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. Follow and subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable wherever you listen to podcasts. Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference! quotes: Timestamps: (0:37) Introductions (3:10) Dorothy answers, “What is one thing you wish someone told you before the youth ministry search?” (5:12) “I wish someone told me that I could ask questions. When I first began in youth ministry, I felt like I had to prove myself to the church.” - Huey (17:13) “It’s important that you have a sense of self-awareness that you can receive feedback yourself.” - Dorothy (18:51) Huey answers, “What were some expectations that Asian American churches put on youth pastors?” (22:18) “The initial job description was 3-pages long” - Dorothy (27:08) “When do you ask about compensation?”

This month's AAYM Roundtable delves into the crucial process of discerning and navigating the application journey when seeking a new role as a youth minister, director, or pastor. Our discussion centers on the lessons learned during this significant period of vocational transition, particularly the critical steps involved before accepting a position. This episode, the first in a series, specifically focuses on the essential considerations for identifying and evaluating healthy church environments as a key aspect of the discernment process. We will explore the characteristics of thriving ministry contexts and offer practical guidance for candidates as they prayerfully consider their next steps in youth ministry leadership. Resources: Follow @therootedministry Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! If you are new to family ministry, check out our Family Ministry Mentoring Program. Subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Mentorship matters, especially for youth ministers and leaders in their first 3 years of ministry. In this episode of the Asian-American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Terrence interviews 3 mentees who serve in diverse contexts in the US and Canada. They share candidly about their call to ministry and the joys and hardships of pursuing the next generation with the Gospel. SCRIPTURE Proverbs 13:20 Matthew 28:19-20 Titus 2:7-8 1 Peter 5:2-3 RESOURCES The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition When You Feel Like a Misfit as a Female Youth Minister by Mimi Lam How Does the Gospel Help Teenagers Reconcile Their Asian American Cultural Heritage? How Do You Structure Your Youth Ministry in the Asian American Church? (Part I) How Do You Structure Your Youth Ministry in the Asian American Church? (Part II) FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry! New cohort starts August 2025 Please rate and review the Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts! Join us at our Asian- American Pre Conference in Chicago, October 23-25!

Mentorship matters, especially for youth ministers and leaders in their first 3 years of ministry. In this episode of the Asian-American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Terrence interviews 3 gifted mentees of the inaugural Rooted Asian-American Mentorship Cohort who are 9 months into their 1-year journey. They share valuable insights and reflections from their experiences that highlight the impact this cohort has made for personal and pastoral growth.

In this episode Huey, Justin, and Terrence delve into what it takes to mentor boys in Asian American Youth Ministry contexts so that they might grow and thrive as young men. They discuss what mentoring can look like both informally and systematically.

In this episode Huey, Justin, and Terrence share their thoughts on staying faithful and fruitful in youth ministry. They respond to questions regarding the challenges, benefits and opportunities of laboring for the faith of the next generation Kingdom over the long haul.

In this episode Dorothy, Justin, and Terrence dive into how youth ministries and their churches may strive for long-term missions partnerships that may provide students the exposure and opportunity to share the gospel of Christ, locally and globally.

In this episode Dorothy, Justin, and Terrence delve into what’s entailed for local church youth ministry collaborations. They respond to questions regarding the benefits and complexities of such and incorporate anecdotes of how the Lord has refined, enhanced, and pruned these efforts and the fruit which have come from them. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify. You can also find us on IG @therootedministry.

n this episode, Huey, Dorothy, and Terrence explore mentorship by expounding on both sides of the relationship. They respond to questions related to both mentors and mentees and weave in personal examples of how God used people in their lives to shape and encourage them powerfully. Follow us @rootedministry! Join us in Chicago October 23-25, 2025 for our annual Rooted Conference! Rooted offers mentoring cohorts for both youth pastors and family pastors. Join us!

In this episode, Huey, Dorothy, and Terrence dive into the topic of mentoring from their pastoral experiences in the Asian-American context. Together, they survey the lay of the land from their upbringings to the present and point to the priority of mentorship as an essential means of disciple-making for the next generation. Join a Rooted Ministry Mentoring Cohort! Mentoring and the Rooted Youth Pastor Mentoring Cohorts Follow us @rootedministry.