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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. We aim 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 those around them. Our core focus is 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 Christian students to share their hope in Christ with their peers. Listen in and join the movement today!
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
In this episode of the First Priority Podcast, Brad Schelling welcomes special guest Ryan McMichael to discuss the mission of First Priority and the importance of church partnerships in reaching every student in the United States with the Hope of Christ. Ryan, an area director with First Priority Greater Nashville, shares insights from his experience working with students and churches in Maury County and South Williamson counties.
- Ryan shares his background and transition from student ministry to First Priority, emphasizing the importance of equipping students and leaders for ministry.
- He discusses the impact of First Priority in local schools, highlighting the transformation in student leadership and campus culture.
- The conversation delves into the significance of church partnerships in school outreach and the tangible results seen in changed lives and communities.
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Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Join hosts Steve Cherrico and Brad Schelling as they delve into the vital topic of engaging local churches in school ministry on this episode of the First Priority Podcast. With a mission to take the hope of Christ to every student in the United States, Steve and Brad emphasize the central role of the local church in achieving this goal.
They discuss the importance of incorporating a missional component into student ministries, fostering a "sticky faith," where students seamlessly integrate their faith into their daily lives. Drawing from their own experiences and insights, Steve and Brad show the reciprocal relationship between student ministries and local churches, highlighting the mutual benefits each brings to the other. Tune in to gain valuable insights into fostering meaningful connections between churches and schools.
Looking ahead, Steve and Brad tease an upcoming interview that will provide deeper dives into successful church-school partnerships in various settings.
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Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
- First Priority Campus Coaches play a vital role in supporting and mentoring students in their faith journey.
- Student-led clubs can have a significant impact on school campuses, leading to spiritual growth and transformation.
- Churches should have a missional focus and actively engage in outreach activities to make a difference in their communities.
- The Big C Church encompasses all believers and churches, working together to spread the message of Jesus.
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
In today's episode, we're excited to explore the crucial role of church-based training in equipping leaders for school ministry. This is part of our new series on our Essential Networks, where each month we unpack one of the five key elements.
Today, we're zooming in on the church, detailing the proven process and offering an essential network overview. Our focus is on church leaders and their pivotal role in the context of school ministry. These leaders play a key part in the First Priority model.
We'll start by providing an overview of what FP church-based leaders are and how they fit into the larger framework. Understanding their role is essential for creating effective and impactful connections between the church and the club.
In our next episode, tune in as we hear directly from Larry, a Campus Coach at Christiana Middle School. Larry will share insights, experiences, and perspectives on the topic, providing a real-world perspective on the role of church leaders in school ministry.
Join us next week as we continue this important conversation on Church-Based Training. Remember, these discussions are not just informative but serve as a source of inspiration and practical guidance for anyone involved in FP.
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Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Join Brad, Steve, and Debi DeBoer, the director of FP of Alabama, on this week's episode of the First Priority Podcast! Debi has been with First Priority for 26 years and her passion and excitement for the mission continues to grow everyday. Tune in to be encouraged and inspired to keep taking the Hope of Christ to Every Student.
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Debi DeBoer has been on staff for the past 26 years and is now serving as Ministry Director for The Greater Birmingham area. She got involved with campus ministry when there was a void of students at her local church. Why should the church expect people to come to us when God commanded us to "Go and make disciples..." ? What a privilege to train and equip students and develop the leader within. Debi is passionate about this generation and wants to make sure they are grounded in biblical truth and not a product of the culture around them.
She is a mother of three children, Lindi, Lani and Joppe and is happily married to James DeBoer. She enjoys reading, traveling, relaxing at the lake, and spending time with friends and family.
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Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Join Brad and Steve in this episode as they discuss what parent involvement in a First Priority Club looks like. There are 4 ways parents can get involved:
- Prayer
- Participation
- Promotion
- Provision
Learn how these elements contribute to the success and growth of First Priority Clubs by tuning in!
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Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and
Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
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Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Join us in this special episode of The First Priority Podcast as Steve Cherrico sits down with Haley Wherry, an Area Coordinator in FP Northeast TN, to delve into the topic of God's calling on one's life. In this insightful conversation, Haley shares his experiences, wisdom, and reflections on the topic as it relates to First Priority and youth ministry.
Haley Wherry is a First Priority Area Coordinator and Trainer in the Northeast Tennessee District. He has been involved with youth and college ministry for over 30 years, serving as Youth Pastor, Interim Pastor, Campus Ministry Coordinator, Event Coordinator and more. He has worked for First Priority since 2009 and loves empowering students and encouraging youth workers. Haley has a heart for Northeast Tennessee having been born and raised in the region. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children and one grandchild: Brock who is married to Raleigh with their son Zebedee, and Barrett who is married to Richie.
Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Brad and Steve discuss the mission, vision, and niche of First Priority of America in detail and share how it will remain the same, even in a New Year. Even though 2024 will bring fresh experiences and new challenges, we are still here to Take the Hope of Christ to Every Student.
Connect With Us:
Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here.
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Steve’s favorite 2023 episode is with Ben Trueblood, Reaching the Unseen. As we recap our favorites for the year, get prepared for our 2024 podcast schedule!
Brad and Steve talk with Ben Trueblood about reaching those who are unseen. Ben Trueblood who has worked for Lifeway for the last 12 years, shares his heart with Brad and Steve about what God is doing and will do in the lives of the younger generation.
Ben serves as the Director of Student Ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources and has served the local church as a student pastor for fourteen years. In addition to his role at Lifeway, Ben is involved in training, consulting, and speaking to student ministries throughout the U.S. He is driven by a desire for student ministries to expand God’s Kingdom, to see the lives of students transformed by the gospel, and to produce students who shape the culture in which they live.
Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here: https://firstpriority.club/about-us/staff-and-board/
Monday Dec 25, 2023
Monday Dec 25, 2023
This holiday season we are recapping Brad and Steve’s favorite podcast episodes. Brad’s favorite episode is announcing the scholarship winners to the podcast! Thanks for tuning in this year, we hope to see you next year.
Tune in to this week’s podcast as Brad Schelling gets a chance to speak with both scholarship winners. Since 2022, First Priority has offered a scholarship opportunity for seniors involved in a First Priority club. This year, First Priority was given the chance to award two scholarship winners! Also, be sure to check it out to hear Brad announce a special surprise!
Karlee Johnson, one of the First Priority scholarship recipients, is from Kentucky where she has been a leader in her local First Priority club since the 6th grade. Karlee will be attending a Christian university in the fall and is looking forward to using her God-given talents as she pursues a college Education.
Preston Styons is the 2nd First Priority scholarship recipient and is from North Carolina. Preston has served in leadership roles with his local First Priority club since the 6th grade and will be continuing his education at a Christian university and hopes to continue to lead for the Lord.
Brad Schelling is the EVP of Operations at First Priority of America and Steve Cherrico is the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville as well as a Regional Manager for FPoA. You can read more about them here: https://firstpriority.club/about-us/staff-and-board/