Navigating Mental Wellness with Megan Packard and Chip Pierce

Feb 13, 2026

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Cory Huffman, Megan Packard and Chip Pierce discuss what they are noticing about the mental health of youth ministry leaders and the young people they encounter. They share challenges faced by different generations in working with today's youth and how people of any age can best come alongside young people by slowing down and paying attention to their own mental health as a leader.

Megan Packard holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University and a graduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Georgia. She is certified in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)® and has spent the past nine years serving with Northern Colorado Youth for Christ, during which time she developed and launched Rebalance, a program designed to support growth, connection, and resilience in young people through intentional, relationship-centered practices.

To learn more about the Rebalance program visit: ⁠https://coloradorebalance.com/

Chip Pierce currently works with the Leader Formation team at the YFC USA National Service Center and also worked with Metro Maryland Youth for Christ for over 28 years as a Campus Life Director and Chief Ministry Officer.  He has a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor for almost 14 years before working with YFC.

Follow us on Instagram:

Youth For Christ USA - @yfcusa⁠⁠
Cory Huffman - @chuffman57⁠⁠
Chip Pierce - @ctpcoach⁠

Youth For Christ/USA , Inc. is a founding charter member of Youth For Christ International, and one of more than 100 member nations in the global Youth For Christ movement. For more information or to get connected with Youth For Christ USA, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://yfc.net/⁠⁠⁠.

First a Follower is a podcast created and produced by Youth For Christ/USA, Inc. (“YFC”). It exists to support youth ministry leaders by offering practical guidance, relevant resources, and conversations designed to strengthen the spiritual formation of those discipling the next generation.

This podcast is provided for entertainment, educational, and general informational purposes only. It does not offer or constitute legal, medical, mental health, counseling, financial, or theological advice.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or referenced third parties are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or doctrinal stances of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., Youth For Christ International, any local YFC chapter, or any church, denomination, or faith community. YFC does not endorse or certify any products, services, organizations, or external content mentioned during the podcast.

The entire contents, branding, and design of this podcast are the property of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc., and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except for personal or non-commercial educational use, no part of this podcast may be reproduced, retransmitted, distributed, or edited without the prior written permission of Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

Permission requests may be directed to:

Youth For Christ/USA, Inc.

P.O. Box 4478Englewood, CO 80155

https://www.yfc.net