CYMT equips children, youth, and college ministry directors to create a Christian community that provides the very things young people yearn for identity, belonging, and purpose. We take young people's gifts seriously and offer them opportunities to lead and put their faith into practice. Like Paul, our youth ministers tell young people:

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Young people are not the future of the church. They are the church. At CYMT, we equip leaders to develop effective ministries with young people and empower them to set an example for ALL believers.

Today, we invite you to invest in youth by making:

A small recurring gift of $4.12 a month
Or an annual gift of $100

For every $100 given to CYMT, our children, youth, community, and campus ministers impact one young person's life with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Your support provides these leaders with education, training, and support to develop ministries that invite young people into a community where their faith can grow and they can become leaders. Their faith sets an example for others of God's activity in the world.

Here are three stories from CYMT ministries of Young People setting an example for others:

Investing in Youth Every Day (Phil Kim - YouthFront, KS)

Phil uplifts the youth around him every day. At CYMT, Phil studied pastoral care, where he learned how to support young people experiencing challenges such as mental illness and family conflict.

Phil serves at Youthfront’s Snack Shack, a cafe created to give youth a safe place to gather in an underserved Kansas City neighborhood. The best part? Some of the neighborhood teens staff the cafe alongside Phil.

As the youth learn invaluable leadership skills, Phil remains a consistent and caring presence for them five days a week. At CYMT, we’re dedicated to equipping leaders like Phil for ministry in all the places young people are being formed in their faith. Read More

The Power of Play (Sara Carlson - Camp Capers, TX)

Stress and anxiety are major. During her training at CYMT, Sarah learned about the theology of play. She learned how God is at work in the joy and freedom that so many youth experience at camp. Sarah is applying these lessons at Camp Capers in West Texas, where she works to create a safe space for young people to play.

Allowing young people to play reduces their stress and anxiety. In doing so, she’s helping them experience God’s unconditional love so that when they return home, they can have the courage to live as their authentic selves.

Our mission at CYMT is to equip leaders like Sarah for a lifetime of impactful ministry. Read More

Thirteen-Year-Old Preacher (Lenae Baldwin - Doylestown UMC, PA)

One of our favorite stories of youth setting an example for all believers comes from our resident Lenae, who serves at a church in Pennsylvania. Lenae’s youth group recently led Youth Sunday – one day out of the year when the congregation's teens do everything from greeting to preaching at all church services.

On this special Sunday, two students volunteered to preach messages on the transformative love of God. Thirteen-year-old Joe (pictured) spoke about how we can transform the world around us by planting seeds of hope in everyone we encounter.

Because of their experience on Youth Sunday, Lenae’s students discovered gifts they didn’t know they had. They’re now eager to lead whenever they can.

CYMT exists to help leaders develop effective ministries with young people so they can in turn, set an example for all believers.

1 Youth Minister Impacts the Lives of 400 Youth

The average youth minister impacts the lives of over 400 youth and their families. Your investment in CYMT equips leaders who create space for and allow young people to lead and set an example for ALL the believers.

Young People need YOU!

By Center for Youth Ministry Training

Young People need YOU!