The D6 Family Ministry Podcast

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Arlene Pellicane, author and host of The Happy Home podcast, to discuss her latest book, Making Marriage Easier. In this episode, Arlene discusses the complexities of marriage, offering guidance on how to navigate the challenges and joys of a lifelong, godly partnership. She shares personal experiences and wisdom while also emphasizing the importance of communication, forgiveness, and the ro...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Shelly Melia, associate dean of the Graduate School of Ministry at Dallas Baptist University. With 25 years as a children's minister and counselor, Dr. Melia shares her insights on preschool ministry, stressing its role beyond mere “child care during adult activities.”

Dr. Melia highlights her principles for engaging preschoolers: hands full, minds open, and hearts engaged. She emphasizes cr...

Dr. Richard Ross, a distinguished figure in student ministry and long-time friend of D6 Family Ministry, joins the podcast this week to discuss the shifting priorities in parenting within theChristian faith.

With a career spanning over 30 years as a student pastor and now a professor at Southwestern Seminary, Dr. Ross has unique insights into family dynamics and spiritual leadership. In thisweek’s episode, he emphasizes that while p...

In this episode, we have Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, a husband, father, pastor, professor, and author. Dr. Jones teaches apologetics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as a teaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, Kentucky. This week’s episode covers creating environments of diversity in the church.

Dr. Jones shares how churches can foster authentic diversity by breaking down barriers and incorporat...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Kim Botto, an author, speaker, dedicated leader in children's and student ministries, an adoptive mom, and a special needs grandma. Kim shares her belief that every child is a treasure, deserving of love and understanding, regardless of their behavior or unique needs.This episode also provides practical advice for churchleaders, highlighting the need for proactive measures and empathy-bu...

We are joined by Dr. Scott Turansky for this week’s episode. Dr. Turansky is a professor at Concordia University, an author and speaker, pastor for over four decades, and a husband and father of five children. In this episode, Dr. Turansky discusses the importance of addressing emotional challenges in both children and adults within the church. Dr. Turansky provides practical steps for both pastors and parents to help children deve...

In this episode, we are joined by Brent Dusing, the CEO and founder of TruPlay. Brent Dusing discusses why TruPlay was created, how faith and Scripture are incorporated into their video games, and why it was important to make games of high quality. He shares the creative process and the talented team behind TruPlay's success, highlighting the unique elements that set their games apart from traditional Christian gaming. He also ...

In our latest episode, we spoke with Chris Sasser, pastor of family ministries at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, and author of Bags, Helping Your Kids Lightenthe Load. With nearly three decades of ministry experience, Chris has devoted his life to guiding parents and leaders in nurturing the spiritual journey of the next generation.

Chris shares his insights on "whole family ministry," a comprehe...

In this week’s episode, we welcome Christina Embree, founder of Refocus Ministry, who has a passion for intergenerational ministry. Christina discusses the vital role grandparents (and older generations of believers) play in shaping the spiritual lives of younger generations.

Christina shares current research insights and offers practical ways for both ministry leaders and parents to build relationships and create environments invo...

In this episode, Brian Haynes, lead pastor at Bay Area Church (Texas), discusses how ministry leaders and church members are to gracefully encourage and have compassion for others in crisis, emphasizing that sin and hard times affect us all. He stresses the importance of offering genuine support over just scriptural advice, urging church leaders to genuinely connect and show empathy to those in trouble or in need. Through personal ...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michelle White, a passionate speaker and best-selling author dedicated to helping individuals on their spiritual journey. Dr. White shares her tips on making Bible study less intimidating by starting small, much like introducing new foods to toddlers. She shares an inspiring story about a woman in her sixties who found renewed understanding of the Bible by exploring various translations, proving it&#...

In this episode, Jay Strother (the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee and holder of a doctorate in leadership from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) shares his personal journey and experiences that have fueled his commitment to building adoption and foster ministries within the church.

He emphasizes the importance of church communities stepping into adoption and foster ministry, highlighting the need fo...

In this episode, we chat with Dale Hudson, a veteran in children's ministry with 35 years of experience. As the founder and president of Building Children's Ministry, Dale has helped churches nationwide create strong leaders and teams.

Dale's passion for creating a welcoming environment is evident, providing listeners with valuable insights to improve their church's first impression.

In our conversation, Dale highligh...

We're excited to share our latest episode featuring Kathleen Trock Mulhoek, founder of Pebbles and Stones.

Kathleen offers valuable advice for parents on how discipline can foster freedom and character development in kids, as opposed to punishment's potential to spark fear and shame. By weaving in concepts like repentance, forgiveness, and prayer, Kathleen demonstrates how discipline can lead to more meaningful and lasti...

In this week’s episode, we are excited to have Carl Barnhill, the creative mind behind Church Visuals and an expert in visual media for ministry. Carl shares his insights on the essential role of high-quality visuals in effectively communicating the gospel, particularly in children's ministry.

He discusses the challenges ministry leaders face, such as volunteer shortages and low parent engagement, and emphasizes the importance ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lydia Randall, a dedicated leader with nearly three decades of experience in helping families and churches foster a culture of intentional discipleship in the home.

Throughout the conversation, Lydia emphasized the importance of taking a step-by-step approach to discipleship, focusing on intentionality and simplicity. She discussed theconcept of Faith Path, a strategy designed to aid parents in nurt...

In this episode, we welcome Becky Sparks. Becky is a seasoned family ministry expert, author, and parenting coach. She joined us to discuss the critical topic of parents creating boundaries in today's digital landscape. She emphasizes the importance of intentionally setting mental and emotional boundaries for children, particularly as they enter the crucial developmental stages between ages 12 and 18. Because of kids’ natural curio...

We're excited to share our latest podcast episode featuring Dr. Jonathan Williams, executive director of Gospel Family Ministries and author of A Practical Theology of Family Worship and Gospel Family.

Dr. Williams talks about breaking down the silos that exist within church ministries—like those segmented by age groups—to create an intergenerational discipleship vision. He explains how these silos can unintentionally lead to isolat...

Tom Bump is a seasoned ministry leader and pastor's kid who has dedicated his career to full-time ministry since the age of 18. Known for his passion for connecting with people, Tom combines his experiences and spiritual insights to address contemporary issues in leadership and community, particularly leadership and narcissism.

During our conversation, Tom dives into the topic of narcissism, especially in leadership roles. He ex...