Youth Leadership

Why do youth ministries crumble? And what is the cost to students, parents, volunteers and church staff? Is a sustainable youth ministry possible, even after a youth pastor leaves? Youth ministry expert Mark DeVries knows the answer is yes, because he helps build sustainable youth ministries through his coaching service called Youth Ministry Architects. So take heart: No matter what state the youth ministry at your church is in—in need of a leader and volunteers, full of battles and stress, large or small in number—it can be built to survive and to last for the long haul.

The loss or disaffiliation of young adults is a much-discussed topic in churches today. Many faith-formation programs focus on keeping the young, believing the youthful spirit will save the church. But do these programs have more to do with an obsession with youthfulness than with helping young people encounter the living God?

Navigating youth sports has become a full-time job for parents, driven by a mix of living vicariously through our children and chasing the dream of them reaching the “big stage.” But are we doing this for the right reasons? With the sports industry valued at $480 billion, it’s worth asking if our wallets—and our kids—are being exploited. Growing up in a small town, I was raised with values that emphasized hard work, teamwork, and personal growth—lessons that sports have instilled for generations. Yet today, parents will stop at nothing to push their child to the pinnacle of ...

In Every Moment Matters, renowned coach educator John O'Sullivan has collected hundreds of interviews with top coaches, sport scientists, psychologists, and athletes and distilled them into a blueprint for becoming a more effective and inspiring leader. Great coaches realize something that others do not: Every moment matters!

More than 60 percent of young people who went to church as teens drop out after high school. This is a striking and alarming statistic. Now the bestselling author of unChristian trains his researcher's eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman's first book unChristian showed the world what outsiders aged 16–29 think of Christianity, You Lost Me shows why younger Christians, ages 16–29, are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Kinneaman offers suggestions on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith....

Unleashed Potential: How Youth Lead the Way to a Stronger Future is a powerful exploration of how mentorship, resilience, and community-driven leadership can transform lives and shape a brighter future. Through the lens of the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), Regina G. Jackson shares the inspiring stories of young leaders who have risen above challenges to create lasting change for themselves and their communities. This book highlights EOYDC’s unique mentorship model, which creates a self-sustaining ecosystem of leadership by empowering youth as both mentees and mentors. ...

Youth football can feel chaotic—short attention spans, restless players, and parents eager for wins. Without structure, practice unravels and game days become stressful. With the right foundation, though, football becomes more than a sport; it becomes a classroom for discipline, teamwork, and confidence. Coaching Youth Football: Foundations for Lifelong Success gives coaches and parents a clear, proven system for teaching players ages 6–12. Blending Lou Holtz’s anecdotal storytelling with Nick Saban’s process-driven clarity, it shows how to transform practices and games into ...

In the past few decades, the church has experienced rapid and distressing change. Hard-working pastors and leaders often know they need to embrace diversity, creatively engage younger generations, and equip their people to love their neighbors. But since they don't know how to make the changes needed, they feel stuck and wonder, "What do I do now? For these dedicated yet drained church leaders, this research-informed resource from the team at the Fuller Youth Institute offers a clear roadmap to faithfully and effectively navigate change that will revitalize your church.

This book does more than inspire—it provides practical tools and step-by-step guidance to transform challenges into opportunity, struggle into strength, and potential into impact. It is a roadmap to reclaiming your life, cultivating discipline, and creating a legacy that transcends circumstance and empowers generations. Each chapter equips you to: Break free from destructive environments and cycles Develop resilience and emotional intelligence Build strong brotherhood and meaningful mentorship Strengthen mind, body, and spirit Achieve financial freedom and self-sufficiency Define your ...

The Church doesn’t need more titles. It needs more truth. And it needs you. Lead Like a Saint, Act Like a Reformer is a bold and timely call to ordinary believers—young and old—to rise up as extraordinary leaders in today’s Church and world. Whether you're a teen on TikTok, a mom leading your family, a parish volunteer, or simply someone asking, "Can I really make a difference?" — this book is your answer. In a time of digital noise, division, and spiritual burnout, discover how to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion by learning from the lives of saints, reformers, and—...

We vs Me: The Culture Shift Changing Sports By James Louis Roden Jr. Team used to mean everything. Today, it competes with everything. What happened to the game we once knew? There was a time when team-first values were the foundation of every great locker room. When athletes wore their jersey with pride, fought for their brothers, respected the coach, and lived by a code that said the name on the front mattered more than the name on the back. Coaches led with conviction, players bought into the process, and culture wasn’t just a buzzword—it was the playbook. Now we’re watching ...

Can we trust the Bible, or has it been distorted over the centuries? If Christians believe that the Bible contains the very words of Almighty God, why have most never read it cover to cover or made it part of their daily lives? How did we get the Bible? How should one respond to legitimate criticism? Everyone believes something when it comes to religion. Atheists believe there is no God. Atheists are not unreasonable, they are just arguing from a different starting point. How should we think about atheism? Are angels and demons real, or just a Hollywood invention? If the devil exists, why ...

Building a Winning Culture: Player Development Beyond Basketball Go beyond the scoreboard and transform lives through the game of basketball. Are you a youth or middle school basketball coach who believes in developing well-rounded individuals, not just skilled players? Do you aspire to create a team environment where character, life skills, and sportsmanship are as vital as any jump shot or defensive stance? Then "Building a Winning Culture: Player Development Beyond Basketball" is your essential guide. In this insightful and practical book, seasoned coach Bryce Patton reveals that true ...

Relevant and Practical Ways on how to Disciple, Coach, Mentor and Connect with the Next Generation (Ages 15 to 30)! Discover the nine most influential role models and mind molders that are currently discipling and shaping the hearts & minds of the younger generation! Rediscover the true purpose of discipleship the way Jesus portrayed it to His twelve disciples, which is coaching & mentoring in a personal way! Relevant and practical ways to reach out and to engage the younger generation in your church! Radical and Biblical insight on captivating the hearts of the 15 to 30 year olds (Gen-Y & ...

Basketball Breakthrough: Inspire Your Young Athlete to Dominate the Court and Life! Is your child ready to elevate their game, both on and off the basketball court? Do they dream of sinking clutch shots, making game-winning passes, or simply building unshakable confidence? Introducing "Basketball Breakthrough: Inspiring Basketball Stories That Build Champions, Develop Skills, and Turn Good Players into Great Ones" – the ultimate playbook for young athletes in 3rd grade and up, and their parents. This isn't just another youth basketball book; it's a powerful collection of inspiring ...

In Jesus Was A Youth Leader, Matthew Arrowood explores the unconventional path Jesus chose during His ministry. Rather than becoming an earthly king, scholar, or Pharisee, Jesus dedicated three and a half years to teaching and mentoring 12 young men. Arrowood argues that Jesus took on the unexpected role of a rabbi and teacher—a position that, even today, might not be highly regarded within the church.

If you're brave enough to take an honest look at the issues facing the culture-controlled church - and the issues in your own life - read on.

Do you ever look at how the Christian faith is being lived out in the new millennium and wonder if we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing? That we still haven't quite 'gotten it'? That we've missed the point regarding many important issues? It's understandable if we've relied on what we've been told to believe or what's widely accepted by the Christian community. But if we truly turned a constructive, critical eye toward our beliefs and vigorously questioned them....

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” John Wooden The words of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden are as true today as when he first spoke them. Modern coaches have difficult jobs and dual roles. They are not only expected to get results on the scoreboard, but they must simultaneously recognize the outsized role they have in shaping the lives of those they lead. And they must do all of this while navigating a complex and changing landscape. GAME TIME provides a light along that leadership journey. Each devotional entry features wisdom from some of ...

"Beyond the Bases: Creating a Winning Culture in Youth Baseball and Softball" is an essential guide for coaches, parents, and sports enthusiasts dedicated to fostering a positive and effective team environment. Authored by Joey Myers, a former Division-1 college baseball player and founder of Hitting Performance Lab, this book combines practical strategies, personal insights, and scientific principles to elevate youth baseball and softball coaching. The book is structured into ten comprehensive chapters, each addressing a critical aspect of team culture and player development: Leadership ...

Today, there is a disconnection between the youth and the leadership of the church. With fewer and fewer young people attending church, a hole has been created in the membership where the young people used to be. With that we are also seeing a growing generation gap in churches that impacts leadership and how youth are and are not transitioning into leadership at the local level. How can we keep a steady group of leaders being developed in the local church? This book is a history, of sorts, of African American youth ministry in the US. We use the brush of the past to be able to re-...