YouthLead

Youth Ministry   •   The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Teens leading teens

For 40 years, YouthLead (formerly Lutheran Youth Fellowship) has equipped teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities. We offer resources and training to equip teens to lead and mentor each other.

Our annual leadership training event is facilitated by the teen YL Leadership Team. The event makes use of leadership resources developed to give teens the tools they need to mature in their faith, become leaders in their congregations, and reach out to their peers with the love of Christ.

YouthLead is now looking to the future with the development of additional resources aligned with the 7 Practices for Healthy Youth Ministry. This will include resources for adults who mentor and champion young leaders, potential regional conferences and connections to other programs like LCMS Servant Events and the LCMS Youth Gathering.

YouthLead Facebook Group    YouthLead Instagram

YouthLead Training — 2025

LCMS Youth Ministry will host a YouthLead Training event Saturday afternoon, March 8, to noon Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Pallotine Renewal Center in the St. Louis suburb of Florissant.

This annual training event is led by our teen Executive Team and gives teens the tools they need to mature in their faith, become leaders in their congregations, and reach out to their peers with the love of Christ.

This year’s curriculum will focus on caring for those struggling or in crisis. Our leadership training will develop your skill set, including talking about how to communicate as a church leader.

Learn more and register

Training resources

As a part of the annual training, YouthLead resources are video-based, easy for young people to lead, and focus on topics key to youth discipleship. This curriculum is available for use in conducting events in your congregation or district. You can download the pieces here.

• A Walk Made Worthy
• Faith During Times of Transition
• Motivated by Love
• Promises Delivered
• Share Hope
• Teen Bridge Building
• Teens Reaching Teens in the Digital Age
• Teens Stand Strong
• Vocation: Right Here, Right Now

Visit youthesource.com or email youth.ministry@lcms.org to learn more about the training materials.

Leadership Team: 2022-25

Leadership Team members for YouthLead were elected by their peers during the 2022 Teen Leadership Training.

• Adam Beadle — Chandler, Ariz.
• Abbie Kollbaum — Madison, Neb.
• Reagan Martens — Kansas City, Mo.
• Annaka Zaiser — Holly, Mich.
• Ava Dradzynski — Prattville, Ala.
• Austin Barber — Worthington, Minn.