The true heroes of camp are the leaders who give of their time, vacation, and energy to keep their group together, on schedule, and safe. The thing is they each have their unique way of making that happen. Join us this week as we explore the types of leaders we have seen at camp over the years. If you know of some we missed email us at mergeministries12@gmail.com and let us know.

This week you can play along as we see how many common abbreviations we know. Below you will find the  list of ones discussed so you can see how many you know. Don’t cheat! Send in the number of abbreviations you know to see if you are smarter than us. mergeministreis12@gmail.com

• NASA 
• 3M 
• CVS
• WWF
• AT&T
• ESPN 
• EPCOT (disney)
• WD- 40 
• LBJ
• JFK
• USPS
• UPS
• FEDEX
• FBI
• VHS
• ASAP
• RSVP
• FYI
  TBD
• NATO
• NERF
• PEZ
• Yahoo
• GEICO
• IKEA
• LASER
• TASER
• SEAL (navy seals)
• SCUBA

How do you put on your socks and shoes? Do you clap when movies end? Are boneless wings just chicken nuggets? We are back and solving all the world’s problems on this week’s episode of M3. If you have a topic idea, need help with something you are facing, or want to let us know if you agree or disagree with us then send us an email at mergeministries12@gmail.com.

Everyone’s got opinions—but we’re putting ours on the mic. This episode dives into some of the most random yet oddly serious debates out there. From food classifications to church expectations to the age-old cheerleading question, nothing is off-limits. Come for the laughs, stay for the surprisingly real conversations.

What are things we think are overrated and underrated? Join us as we talk about the church, movies, TV shows, and dad bods! Email us at mergeministries12@gmail.com to let us know if you agree, disagree, or topics you want to hear our underrated opinions about. 

This week’s episode is all about the hot takes!

We’re sharing some of our most random opinions—from “ketchup belongs on everything” to “travel ball isn’t the devil.” Some of these might make you laugh, some might make you question us… and some might just start an argument.

Either way, you’re guaranteed to laugh with us—and probably at us too.

If you agree, disagree, or just want to say “hi,” shoot us an email at mergeministries12@gmail.com

It is not just about the destination but the journey and people along the way. Today we share some of the stories that made us laugh and continue to be shared through the years. 

Check out this short clip of a conversation that did not make the final editing of the latest podcast. Should children be in the adult worship service? This will be something we dive into in later episodes but this came up this week.

What do you wish you'd known sooner? In this episode, we get personal — reflecting on the lessons that shaped them not just as leaders of Merge, but as ministers, spouses, and parents. These aren't lessons from a leadership course. They're the kind that only come from living it: the hard seasons, the missteps, and the slow realization that growth isn't always about doing more.

In this eposide we unpack what it actually looks like to lead well — when to push forward and when to let go, what deserves your energy and what doesn't, and why who you're becoming matters just as much as what you're building. Whether you lead a team, a ministry, a household, or are simply trying to show up better in your own life, this conversation is a reminder that the most important leadership lessons are often the most personal ones.

What does it really take to pull off a week of camp? In this episode of M3: Merge Ministry Mostly, Daniel and Luke pull back the curtain on the reality of being “camp programmers.” From preaching and production to problem-solving and last-minute fixes, they unpack the many hats required to make camp happen. With humor, honesty, and a few behind-the-scenes stories, they also tackle an important conversation about using AI in ministry and where to draw the line. Whether you're in ministry or just curious about what goes into creating a life-changing camp experience, this episode gives you a real look at the wins, the challenges, and the heart behind it all.

Merge isn’t the first ministry to host a summer camp—and it certainly won’t be the last. But there are a few things we do differently that set Merge apart. Some of those differences are the reason our price is lower than many other camps, while others come from intentional choices designed to help us better share and teach the Gospel.

In this episode of the M3 Podcast, we pull back the curtain and talk about the heart behind those decisions. If you’ve ever wondered why Merge does things the way it does, today you’ll get to see the “why” behind the “what.”

What’s it really like to be part of the Merge staff?

In Episode 3 of M3, Daniel and Luke pull back the curtain even further to share the heartbeat behind Merge—its staff. Made up of volunteers from more than fifteen different churches, spanning junior high students to adults, the Merge staff is united by one purpose: to serve students and share the gospel of Jesus.

This episode highlights the fun, the exhaustion, the late nights, and the unforgettable memories that come with serving. From competitive kickball games  to late night conversations, staff life is filled with laughter, growth, and deep community. But beyond the games and inside jokes is something far more meaningful—a group of people who have bought into a shared vision to reach children and teenagers with the gospel.

What if success isn’t just surviving a good week of camp—but faithfully walking the journey that gets you there?

In Episode 2 of the M3 Podcast, we pull back the curtain on Merge to share the real story behind the scenes—the lessons learned, the feedback received, and the faith that carried them through it all. 

The first M3 Podcast episode is a “get to know us” moment as we share who we are and what Merge is all about. We tell the story of how Merge started and how we each got involved, setting the stage for a season filled with honest conversations, plenty of laughs, real frustrations, and lessons we’ve learned along the way.