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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What if the future of the Church depends on how we see children today?

In this first episode of Building Thriving Kids Ministry, Jo Hobbis sits down with Hannah Aske, founder of TenFour Ministries, to talk about a challenge many churches are quietly facing: where have all the children gone—and what can we do about it?

Hannah shares the story behind TenFour Ministries and the heart that led her to launch a movement focused on outreach children’s ministry. From seeing the realities facing children in schools and communities, to recognising the gap in how churches prioritise kids, she asks a bold question: What if children’s ministry isn’t optional—but essential to the mission of the Church?

You’ll hear:

• Why outreach to children is often missing from church strategy
• The surprising story of how Hannah started leading kids ministry at just 16
• How churches can move beyond “just running a programme”
• Why defining your “win” changes everything about how you lead
• The powerful role young leaders can play in building a thriving ministry

If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading children’s ministry—or wondered how churches can reach the next generation more effectively—this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Because building a thriving kids ministry doesn’t happen by accident.

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What does it look like to be a family on mission? In this inspiring conversation, Jo Hobbis gets to chat with Alan Charter from the Global Children's Forum. They unpack the idea of every family being "salt and light" in their community, the significant role children play in that, and the practicalities of working it out in real, messy, everyday life. If you're a parent who's wondering if you've missed your chance for mission, or a minister who wants to empower families to do more for the Kingdom, this conversation is for you.

https://gcf.community/
https://familiesonmission.org/

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Jo Hobbis chats with Meredith Anne Miller about her new book 'Wonder', which serves as a guide for adults to explore the Bible with children. They discuss the unique approach of the book, the selection of stories included, and the importance of making biblical narratives accessible to kids. Meredith shares insights on teaching children about faith, the significance of wonder in conversations, and the complexities of understanding the Old Testament. The discussion also touches on the exclusion of certain stories, like Noah's Ark, and the overall goal of fostering a deeper connection with scripture for both kids and parents.

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Jo Hobbis reflects on what she has learned about the identity conversation from Christie Penner Worden through their discussion of The Me I Was Made To Be: Helping Parents Navigate The Identity Conversation.

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In this final conversation, Jo Hobbis and Christie Penner Worden lean into the question that quietly sits underneath so many parenting and kids ministry fears: what happens when we miss it?

Through stories of getting “lost” on a real-life walk, unexpected detours, and the tension of letting children lead, this episode gently unpacks what it means to trust God in the middle of uncertainty. You’ll feel the honesty, the humour, and at times the discomfort of realising how tightly we can hold onto “getting it right” in conversations with children.

Together they explore what it looks like to loosen our grip on outcomes, stay curious instead of controlling, and create space for children to grow, question, and change their minds. You’ll be encouraged to see identity conversations not as something to win or finish, but something to walk through—often imperfectly, but never alone.

This conversation will leave you feeling:

• reassured that mistakes don’t disqualify you as a parent or leader
• challenged to choose humility over control
• hopeful that “do-overs” are not just possible, but part of how God works with us
• and encouraged that your child’s journey with identity can include safety, curiosity, and trust

At its heart, this episode is a reminder that both adults and children are still becoming—and that God is faithful in the middle of every twist, turn, and detour along the way.

This is the final part of a deep dive into The Me I Was Made To Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate The Identity Conversation by Christie Penner Worden.

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