The Mission Sparks Podcast

80% of toddlers are connected to their local church. In a society where church attendance is low, most toddlers are connected in some way with a church. How can the church make the most of this opportunity to care for families in their community, and create opportunities to explore the Gospel? Kate Cope joins Matt and Jenni to get this conversation started. 
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: ScriptureUnionEnglandandWales
Insta: ScriptureUnionEW
 

Joanne Gilchrist - from the SU team creating resources for mission - talks about storytelling, including information on SU's latest book "Robin's Christmas Song" available to purchase from now! And how can you read this story out loud well? And why are stories so engaging? And what exactly rhymes with 'Almighty'? It's all in this episode.
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: scriptureunionenglandandwales
Insta: Scriptureunionew
Resources:
su.org.uk/christmas

Researcher Sarah Holmes joins the podcast to talk about the brand new "Taking the Pulse" research which surveys the landscape of youth and children's ministry in 2026. Find out what people are saying about the relevance of church and the Christian faith on the next generation. 
Contact
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: Scriptureunionenglandandwales
Insta: ScriptureunionEW
 
Resources
www.su.org.uk/takingthepulse

Ruth reckons she can beat Mark at most sports. She also talks about one of SU's flagship resources: Half Time. 36 sessions through the Gospel of Mark using sport as the language. We also think about some of the challenges faced when unpacking the Bible with children and young people today. 
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: ScriptureUnionEnglandandWales
Insta: ScriptureUnionEW
Resources:
su.org.uk/halftime

Matt, Jenni, and Geoff consider how to get connected with your local school and how to love them well. What does it mean to reveal Jesus in a school setting? Why might you consider gardening or listening to children read? What's that got to do with Jesus? All the info is in here.
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: Scriptureunionenglandandwales
Insta: Scriptureunionew
Resources:
www.su.org.uk
www.grace-foundation.org.uk
 
 
 

Long drive home from holiday? We've got some play along games for you. Join in, borrow the ideas for your youth group, and enjoy some clips from our first 16 episodes. 
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: Scriptureunionenglandandwales
Insta: ScriptureUnionEW

What can churches do in the summer? It's not too late to do something, but what could that something be? Matt, Beckie, and Jenni share ideas for the whole family for the summer holidays. Oh, and also, Beckie has an announcement to make. 
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: ScriptureUnionEnglandandWales
Insta: ScriptureUnionEW

Matt, Beckie, and Pete stumble across the topic of pilgrimage and the things we need to "keep going" in the Christian life, especially if we've been walking it for a long time. What has helped you to continue the journey? And how did Samson catch 300 foxes? All sorts of questions in this one. 

Today we talk about safeguarding. This isn't safeguarding training; it's a conversation about how to engage in outreach with children and young people in safe ways. There's an interesting section on "grey areas," where it's not immediately obvious what the best course of action is. Chloe - Scripture Union's Safeguarding Manager - joins Matt and Beckie to discuss. 
Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
chloes@scriptureunion.org.uk
 

Join the Sparks team for their first ever live recording of the Mission Sparks Podcast. Recorded at the Central Region Gathering earlier this year, contributors discuss the main message of the Gospel of Jesus and share some helpful (and some unhelpful) ways of explaining it to children and young people today. Contact:
sparks@scriptureunion.org.uk
FB: Scriptureunionenglandandwales
Insta: Scriptureunionew