Children’s ministry can be joyful, creative, and deeply meaningful… but it can also be exhausting.

In this honest conversation, Jo Hobbis sits down with Hannah Aske from TenFour Ministries to talk about the challenges many kids ministry leaders face but don’t always say out loud.

Why do so many children’s pastors burn out after just a few years? Why can ministry feel harder than people expect? And how do you keep your joy when the pressure, expectations, and volunteer shortages start piling up?

Jo and Hannah unpack the hidden realities of kids ministry — from the blurred lines between calling and job, to the struggle of measuring spiritual impact, to the constant challenge of recruiting and supporting volunteers.

Along the way, you’ll discover practical strategies, surprising mindset shifts, and encouragement for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed in ministry.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why many kids ministry leaders burn out after just a few years
• The hidden pressures that make children’s ministry harder than it looks
• Why spiritual growth in kids is so hard to measure (and why that’s okay)
• Practical ways to recruit and encourage volunteers
• A mindset shift that helps leaders rediscover joy in their calling

If you’ve ever wondered "Am I the only one finding this hard?” this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and help you rediscover the joy of your calling.

You’ll come away feeling seen, encouraged, and better equipped to lead kids and families with hope.

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Many churches long to see children and families come to faith — but what happens when they’re simply not walking through the doors on Sunday?

In this episode, Jo Hobbis talks with Hannah Aske from TenFour Ministries about why outreach to children and families matters more than ever — and why it doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or intimidating.

Hannah shares powerful stories from working with children in schools and communities, revealing the deep need many children carry today — from anxiety to isolation — and why the church must be present where they are.

Together they explore:

• Why outreach is central to the Great Commission
• The fears that often hold churches back from starting
• How simple midweek kids’ clubs can reach families in your community
• Why confidence (in ourselves and in God) is often the biggest barrier
• How to create pathways from community activities to the gospel

Hannah also shares practical insights from launching outreach ministries, working with schools, and helping churches discover what they can do — even with limited people, budget, or time.

If you're a church leader, children's worker, or volunteer wondering how to connect with families beyond Sunday, this conversation will inspire you to take the first step.

Because reaching the next generation often begins with a simple decision:

Go where they are.

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What if the biggest barrier to thriving kids ministry… is church culture?

In this episode of Building Thriving Kids Ministry, Jo Hobbis continues the conversation with Hannah Aske, founder of TenFour Ministries, about why the Church may need to rethink how it sees children.

Many churches say children matter. But do our priorities, structures, and attitudes actually reflect that?

Hannah shares what she’s learned from working with churches across the UK—why kids ministry is often undervalued, the cultural shifts needed for it to thrive, and how leaders can begin creating churches where children are genuinely welcomed, discipled, and celebrated.

If you care about the future of the Church, this conversation might challenge the way you think about children’s ministry.

Because thriving kids ministry isn’t just about better programmes.

It’s about a culture that believes children truly belong.

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Never miss an episode - follow Hope Cake on socials @hopecakepod