After years of youth ministry and church leadership, Mark Shoemaker has walked through some of the hardest and most rewarding seasons of ministry. In this episode, Mark shares his journey—from discovering his call to student ministry, to leading through church hurt, to stepping into new roles where God continues to shape him.
We talk about what it means to lead while you’re still healing, how to cultivate spiritual desire in students, and the lessons he’s learned about trusting God’s timing. Mark also shares about his new book, What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen, co-written with his dad—a practical guide to having meaningful conversations with your kids.
If you’ve ever wrestled with burnout, questioned your calling, or needed hope for the next step, this conversation is for you.
In this episode:
-
Mark’s call to ministry and early years in student leadership
-
The reality of church hurt and finding healing through trust in God
-
How to help students develop real spiritual desire
-
Cultivating honest conversations between parents and teens
-
Why ministry in hard seasons can still bear deep fruit
Connect with Mark Shoemaker:
📘 What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen — available wherever books are sold
💻 The Bridge Church (Mark’s current ministry home)
Follow Currey Blandford:
Instagram: @theologyofhustle
Website: CurreyBlandford.com
