The First Priority Podcast

Hosted by First Priority of America

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 11522 min

Meet the Team: Mariah and KK from the Ozarks!

In this episode of the First Priority Podcast, Brad Schelling sits down with KK and Mariah, two new Area Coordinators with First Priority of the Ozarks, to hear about their journeys into ministry and what God has been teaching them along the way. From building relationships with local churches and schools to witnessing students boldly share their faith, KK and Mariah reflect on their first 90 days with First Priority. They discuss the challenges of launching new Clubs, the importance of patience and trusting God's timing, and the encouragement they've found in seeing students excited about sharing the Gospel. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about stepping out in faith, praying expectantly, and trusting God to open doors as First Priority continues working to take the hope of Christ to every student.

September 8, 2026Episode 11414 min

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing with Rachel & Mindy | The First Priority Podcast

We’re throwing it back to a conversation from YPS with Rachel and Mindy from First Priority North Carolina District One! Rachel and Mindy share what they’ve seen God doing through students who are stepping up, leading their peers, and taking the Gospel seriously. From a fifth grader determined to launch a Club before leaving elementary school to a high school student sharing the Gospel at a middle school where 19 students responded, the stories coming out of North Carolina are a powerful reminder of what can happen when students are equipped to lead. They also talk about lessons learned in ministry, staying focused when there are a million things competing for your attention and trusting God with the pieces you can’t control. Rachel shares the reminder God kept bringing her back to: keep it about the students and keep equipping them to share the Gospel. Plus, they look ahead at what God is doing in North Carolina District One, including new student-led Clubs, preparing students to navigate opposition, and continuing to strengthen partnerships with the local church.

August 25, 2026Episode 11348 min

Personnel Values #5: Confidently Driven (with Jo Jabbia + Steve Snapp)

What does it look like to lead with confidence while staying fully dependent on God? In this episode of the First Priority Podcast, Brad Schelling is joined by Jo Jabbia and Steve Snapp to continue the Personnel Values series with Confidently Driven. Jo and Snapp share stories from Houston and the Ozarks that show the heart of First Priority in action, from students hearing the Gospel and choosing to follow Jesus to Clubs growing through the faithfulness of Student Leaders. They also talk about the reality of ministry when plans change, doors close and progress takes longer than expected. The conversation explores how confidence can remain rooted in God rather than personal ability, how hardship develops character and why success is about more than numbers. In This Episode: What it means to be Confidently Driven Balancing confidence with humility Staying motivated when doors seem closed Trusting God when plans change How opposition and waiting can shape your character The importance of staying faithful to your calling Why ministry impact often reaches further than we can measure

August 4, 2026Episode 11223 min

Personnel Values #4: Eager to Learn (with the NCD1 Interns)

What does it look like to be truly eager to learn? In this episode, Brad is joined by First Priority interns Bella and Gabe from First Priority of North Carolina District 1, to talk about how leadership has shaped their faith, challenged them to grow, and prepared them for the future. Bella and Gabe share how stepping into student leadership and internships has taught them the importance of humility, asking questions, embracing feedback, and trusting God through every opportunity. They also discuss how First Priority has equipped them to lead in their schools while developing skills that will serve them for years to come. This conversation is a powerful reminder that growth begins with a willingness to learn. In This Episode How student leadership builds confidence and strengthens faith Why asking good questions is one of the most valuable leadership skills Learning through feedback, mistakes, and mentorship How God uses different gifts to build stronger teams Encouragement for adults who are developing young leaders Preparing for new seasons while staying grounded in Christ

July 21, 2026Episode 11127 min

Personnel Values #3: Collaborative Team Builder (with the KC Team)

In this episode, Brad and Steve continue the conversation on First Priority’s Personnel Values with a look at what it means to be a Collaborative Team Builder. They are joined by Logan Miller, Jenna Doll, Kristi Olson, and Avari Johnson from the First Priority Kansas City team. Together, they discuss building trust, understanding each person’s strengths, creating healthy team rhythms, and caring for people beyond their performance. The Kansas City team also shares practical lessons on communication, vulnerability, navigating challenges, and asking for help. Whether you serve on staff, lead volunteers or support a Campus Club, this episode offers practical encouragement for building stronger teams and remembering that you are not doing this work alone.

July 7, 2026Episode 11030 min

Personnel Values #2: Passionate & Inspiring (with Jeff and Joe)

What does it look like to live out the value of being Passionate & Inspiring? In this episode, Brad and Steve are joined by Jeff Stanford, Director of First Priority Ozarks, and Joe Maldonado, Executive Director of First Priority Florida Space Coast, to discuss how passion for Christ and the mission inspires students, churches, volunteers, and entire communities to get involved. Together, they explore why passion is more than excitement. It's a commitment to the mission that encourages others to take action. Through stories of student leadership, life change, and ministry impact, they share how living this value creates a culture that points people to Jesus and equips the next generation to reach their peers.

July 1, 2026Episode 10944 min

HOPE Training: Everything You Need to Know

The new school year is almost here, and with it comes HOPE, First Priority's new 4-week cycle designed to equip students to confidently take the Hope of Christ to their campuses. In this episode, Brad Schelling sits down with Fort Worth Director Heather Bundy to walk through everything Club Mentors and Student Leaders need to know before launching this year's Clubs. From training resources and Club structure to the new HOPE Cycle and Gospel Tools, this conversation provides a practical overview of what to expect and how to prepare your team for a successful year of ministry. In This Episode An overview of the new HOPE Club Cycle What's changing and what's staying the same How to use the new training binders and resources The purpose of Intro Week Understanding the HOPE cycle: Help Opportunity Prepare Encounter New Gospel Tools and Holiday Resources Best practices for training Student Leaders Using the First Priority App Planning your Club year and adapting to your campus Tips for ending the school year well and developing future Student Leaders Resources 📘 Download the HOPE Guide https://firstpriority.org/resources 🛍️ Order HOPE Resources https://shop.firstpriority.org 📱 First Priority App https://firstpriority.org/app 🌐 Learn More About First Priority https://firstpriority.org Thank you for investing in students and partnering with First Priority to take the Hope of Christ to every student.

June 23, 2026Episode 10825 min

Personnel Values #1: Christ Follower (with Larry Bragg)

In this episode, Brad Schelling and Steve Cherrico are joined by Larry Bragg, Director of First Priority Metro East, to kick off our new series on First Priority's Personnel Values. The conversation begins with stories of God's faithfulness from across the ministry, including a thriving new Club and student-led growth on campuses. The focus then shifts to our first personnel value: Christ Follower. Larry shares how God called him into First Priority, why following Christ must come before pursuing ministry goals, and how bold faith can influence entire families, schools, and communities. Together, the team discusses radical obedience, encouraging student leaders, staying grounded in Scripture, and what it looks like to remain close to Christ during busy seasons of ministry. In This Episode • Why "Christ Follower" is the foundation of every other value • Larry Bragg's journey from Chick-fil-A to First Priority leadership • Celebrating 419 student decisions for Christ in Metro East this year • The story of a new Club that launched after three years of prayer • How one fifth-grade student's testimony impacted an entire room • Hebrews 10:24 and the challenge to spur others on toward love and good deeds • Radical obedience, bold faith, and trusting God with the next step • Staying connected to Christ when ministry feels overwhelming Connect With First Priority Learn more about First Priority and our mission to take the hope of Christ to every student at FirstPriority.org.

June 2, 2026Episode 10721 min

What Makes a Successful First Priority Leader? | Personnel Value Series Introduction

In this episode, Steve Cherrico and Brad Schelling kick off a new podcast series focused on the five personnel values that shape the culture of First Priority. These values help define the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to healthy leadership and effective ministry. Together, they discuss the difference between ministry core values and personnel core values, explore how these values were developed through EOS® and Traction®, and share why they continue to guide the way First Priority leaders serve students, churches, schools, and communities. The conversation also highlights exciting updates from FP Connect, stories of new club opportunities across the country, and a preview of the upcoming episodes that will take a deeper look at each individual core value. In This Episode • Updates on FP Connect and new club opportunities across the country • The difference between ministry core values and personnel core values • An overview of First Priority's five personnel values: Christ Follower Passionate & Inspiring Collaborative Team Builder Eager to Learn Confidently Driven • Why culture matters in ministry leadership • How strong values create healthy teams and sustainable growth Coming Next The next episode takes a deeper look at the first core value, Christ Follower, featuring special guest Larry Bragg from First Priority Metro East.

March 20, 2026Episode 10646 min

Align 2025 Breakout: Funding the Mission | Season 7, Episode 2

Raising money for ministry can feel like the hardest part of the work… but what if it actually became one of the most life-giving parts of it? In this breakout session from Align 2025, Joe Maldonado shares how his First Priority region grew to 50+ clubs across multiple counties while keeping things simple, relational, and sustainable. Instead of chasing big events or complicated strategies, Joe walks through a clear, repeatable approach built on relationships, small gatherings, and sharing real stories of impact. From Director Dinners to Monthly Donors and Church Partnerships, you’ll hear exactly how he structured a plan that funded growth without adding pressure. If fundraising has ever felt frustrating or disconnected from your calling, this episode will help you rethink it as part of the mission and give you a practical way to move forward. ⚡ What You’ll Walk Away With: A simple framework for funding your ministry without big events. How to turn relationships into long-term support. Practical ways to build a steady monthly donor base. A clearer, more confident way to invite people in. 🔗 Links & Resources First Priority → https://firstpriority.org Youth Pastor Summit → https://slulead.com

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