In a world filled with stress and pressure to perform, anxiety about cultural expectations, and depression from being isolated to a screen, the culture in America is killing our teenagers from the inside out. Our purpose is to provide hope and inspiration by taking the Hope of Christ to Every Student. We want to provide teens a place to belong, opportunities to make a positive difference, and bring life-changing transformation to their life and to those around them. It is our core focus to help 300,000 students in 4,650 different schools experience the hope of Christ by December 31, 2023.
This podcast is part of our strategy to get the word out to the believers of Jesus in the United States to help encourage, equip and empower the Christian students to share their hope in Christ with their peers. If you are someone who wants to bring the light of Jesus into the lives of teenagers, then you are in the right place! Listen in and join the movement today!
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In a world filled with stress and pressure to perform, anxiety about cultural expectations, and depression from being isolated to a screen, the culture in America is killing our teenagers from the inside out. Our purpose is to provide hope and inspiration by taking the Hope of Christ to Every Student. We want to provide teens a place to belong, opportunities to make a positive difference, and bring life-changing transformation to their life and to those around them. It is our core focus to help 300,000 students in 4,650 different schools experience the hope of Christ by December 31, 2023.
This podcast is part of our strategy to get the word out to the believers of Jesus in the United States to help encourage, equip and empower the Christian students to share their hope in Christ with their peers. If you are someone who wants to bring the light of Jesus into the lives of teenagers, then you are in the right place! Listen in and join the movement today!
It’s Personal, It’s Relational, and the Time Is Now | Align 2025 Recap
The First Priority Podcast
46 minutes
3 weeks ago
It’s Personal, It’s Relational, and the Time Is Now | Align 2025 Recap
In Session 3 of the Align 2025 series, Permian Basin leaders Shane and Natalie Kenny share what it really takes to build a sustainable First Priority ministry that lasts beyond any one staff member, student leader, or season. Their message is clear: sustainability is not just about club mechanics, it starts with roots. A heart that stays soft for the city. Relationships that go deep with the local church and school leaders. And a sense of urgency to act because the harvest is ready.
This episode wraps the three main Align sessions and sets up the upcoming breakout episodes.
Key Takeaways
Sustainability starts before the club starts. Shane and Natalie emphasize building a ministry foundation that can outlive you, not just launching a weekly meeting.
Personal first: love your city and your schools. Ministry becomes fragile when frustration replaces compassion. They challenge leaders to reclaim a burden for their community and campus.
Potted vs. planted. A powerful metaphor throughout the session: you can travel like a potted plant, or you can put down roots and build something that stands the test of time.
Relational ministry beats transactional ministry. Networks are not the goal. Serving people is. They challenge leaders to stop viewing relationships as a means to an end.
Mobilize beyond youth pastors. Relying only on youth pastors for volunteers is not sustainable. Their model expands the volunteer base across the local church, including parents and community members.
Go through the front door. They stress the importance of meeting principals, building trust with administration, and showing up to serve schools consistently.
Create the environment so students can lead. Their focus is building the “wall” around student leadership so students can step up with confidence and consistency.
Reflection Questions
Do I feel compassion for my city right now, or am I running on frustration?
Am I operating relationally or transactionally with schools, churches, and leaders?
Who is “on the wall” with me, and where do I need to expand my volunteer base?
Have I built roots in my community, or am I still trying to lead like a potted plant?
The First Priority Podcast
In a world filled with stress and pressure to perform, anxiety about cultural expectations, and depression from being isolated to a screen, the culture in America is killing our teenagers from the inside out. Our purpose is to provide hope and inspiration by taking the Hope of Christ to Every Student. We want to provide teens a place to belong, opportunities to make a positive difference, and bring life-changing transformation to their life and to those around them. It is our core focus to help 300,000 students in 4,650 different schools experience the hope of Christ by December 31, 2023.
This podcast is part of our strategy to get the word out to the believers of Jesus in the United States to help encourage, equip and empower the Christian students to share their hope in Christ with their peers. If you are someone who wants to bring the light of Jesus into the lives of teenagers, then you are in the right place! Listen in and join the movement today!
