The First Priority Podcast

A New Year of First Priority of America | Season 5, Ep. 1

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. 

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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. 

2023 Favorites Revisited: Reaching the Unseen

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/ 

2023 Favorites Revisited: First Priority Scholarship Winners!

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/ 

Why First Priority: Cincinnati Luncheon

Brad and Steve recently traveled to Cincinnati to attend First Priority of Cincinnati’s luncheon. In this podcast, we hear from First Priority partners, Jack Johnston and Kim, who opened the luncheon. Jack discussed the moral decline in the United States, and how First Priority works in the younger generation to bring structure and values to their life. Kim told the audience that the growth has been incredible, and as a parent, she believes that the youth need hope. Brad spoke at the luncheon and shared the mission and what First Priority is. First Priority answers a spiritual question for students. 

 

To learn more about First Priority of Cincinnati, read here: https://firstpriority.club/cincinnati/ 

 

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/

Qualities of a Shepherd

On this week’s episode, we revisit Mark Robbins, President of First Priority, at the Fall Conference speaking on the theme of shepherding. Mark explains the skills of being a shepherd. Being humble, learning new things, great endurance, exhibiting the ability to observe and patience are some key qualities to a shepherd. But you can’t overlook your flock! Brad and Steve closed the podcast with a few more words on shepherding and what it looks like. Listen today how to be a good shepherd, being the example of Christ to us!

 

Mark serves as the President of First Priority. He spends most of his day managing the organizational side of the ministry, including fundraising and board development. He was the initiator and director of First Priority Tri-States, the 2nd oldest FP chapter. Mark resides in eastern Kentucky with his wife, Michelle. Mark and Michelle have three children, Nathaniel & Mikaela (Robbins) Gray, Morgan, and Micah. They also have three grandchildren, Sadie B., Beckham and Sutton.

 

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/ 

Learning from God with Chris Lane

On this week’s podcast, Chris Lane, Executive Director of First Priority of South Florida, shares with the audience at our fall conference how God is working in South Florida. He credits God with all their growth, and he reminds the audience that this is a ripe mission field. Chris tells of the 10 things God has taught him in his 25 years with First Priority. Listen to how God can use you in First Priority from the things Chris has learned. Brad and Steve finished the episode with a recap of Chris Lane’s points and what they took away. 

 

Chris Lane is the Founder and President of First Priority of South Florida. For the last 25 years, Chris has overseen growth from 1 campus club to close to 300 in 7 Southeast Florida counties. Chris is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama where he was a two sport letterman. He has been married to Wendy for 30 years and they have four sons. Chris is Passionate about bringing the life changing message of the Gospel to the next generation. To see more about Chris, click here:   https://firstpriority.cc/staff/ 

 

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/ 

Shepherding the Flock

Natalie Kenney, Area Director and Administrator of First Priority of Permian Basin, spoke at our fall conference this past october. She shares the theme of shepherding and what it looks like to shepherd volunteers. Shepherding is showing up. Natalie goes on to explain what showing up can do, and how intentionality can start a conversation. Listen to her key points on how you should be shepherding in your area. Steve and Brad close the podcast talking about what Natalie said and how it does work. 

 

Natalie Kenney is the Area Director and Administrator of First Priority of Permian Basin. Natalie has served in youth ministry since 1998. She has a burden to reach lost people with the Gospel and uses that passion to train students to be missionaries on their campus. Natalie is the leader and main contributor for the writing team that produces the FPPB curriculum. She also coordinates the 115+ volunteers – training and equipping them for success in clubs. You can read more about Shane and Natalie here: https://firstprioritypb.org/staff/ 

 

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/ 

25 Years of First Priority of South Mississippi

JD Simpson, Executive Director of First priority of South Mississippi, joins Steve on this week’s podcast. He discusses his experience with launching clubs in his community, growing from four to about fifty clubs since the start. He encourages students to continue to use the tools God has given them to encourage others and so that God can use them. Brad and Steve finish the podcast with numbers of churchers, going over highest attendance and the decisions students have made to follow Jesus. 

 

Check out our new releases on our shop at the link here: https://shopfirstpriority.club/collections/special-feature 

 

JD Simpson is the Executive Director of First Priority South Mississippi. This is their 25th year! Before FP, JD was in ministry for 16 years in Louisiana. He heard about First Priority from a man named Benny. In 1999, they started four clubs in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He has four kids, two boys and two girls. https://fpsouthms.org/ 

 

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/ 

St. Louis Metro East with Larry Bragg

Steve Cherrico spoke with Larry Bragg who is the Area Director for First Priority of St. Louis Metro East. Larry shares the story of how he came to know First Priority and got involved. Larry has a passion for students because he loves kids and wants to expose them to Christ. 

Brad and Steve wrap up the podcast talk about training students and preparing them to run a club. Tune in to listen to what Brad, Steve and Larry have to say on this week’s episode.

Save the date! Next year's fall conference will be October 28-30. 

Larry Bragg is the Area Director for First Priority of St. Louis Metro East. He has been my first priority for 10 months. He has been married to his wife for 39 years. Before First priority, he was the Managing Director for Chick-Fil-A in his town. 

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/ 

 

First Priority of Northern Alabama with Phil Springer

 

Brad Schelling and Steve Cherrico start the podcast off talking about fall conference and club recaps! Steve met with Phil Springer at the fall conference. Listen as Phil talks about how the clubs are growing and the students are on fire for God! Brad and Steve end the podcast discussing what makes First Priority unique.

 

Save the dates! Chapter Spring meetings for Decatur May 6-7, Ft. Lauderdale May 13-14, and district staff is in Nashville May 22-23. 

 

Phil Springer is the Executive Director of First Priority of Northern Alabama. He has been with First Priority for 5 years. He was originally a campus leader. He serves four counties in North Alabama. To see more about FP North Alabama click here: https://www.fpnorthbama.org/our-board.html 

 

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/