YouthLead
Youth Ministry • The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Teens leading teens
For 40 years, YouthLead has equipped teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities. We offer resources, training, and mentorship to equip high school youth to lead now and into the future.
Our annual leadership training event is facilitated by the YouthLead Executive Team. With a different focus each year, the event 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.
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.
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YouthLead Training — 2027
LCMS Youth Ministry will host a YouthLead Training event Saturday, March 13, to Tuesday, March 16, or Saturday, April 24 to Tuesday, April 27, 2027, in St. Louis.
Registration for both dates are scheduled to open in October 2026. More information will be provided as it is finalized.
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.
For more information about the training materials, email youth.ministry@lcms.org.
YouthLead Executive Team
Executive Team members for YouthLead were elected by their peers during the 2025 YouthLead Training and commissioned at the LCMS Youth Gathering. We are grateful for their service.
- Milly Myers — Stow, Ohio
- Madie Dittmar — Freeport, Ill.
- George Austin — Chandler, Ariz.
- Tommy Campbell — Staunton, Ill.
- Betsy Schuh — Bismarck, N.D.
- Madison Sieve — Worthington, MN
YouthLead News
Training prepares youth for congregational leadership
This year’s YouthLead training focused on apologetics.
Fostering Faith That Lasts
At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, Ill., four congregations have come together to build a flourishing youth ministry.
Equipped, Encouraged and Eager
LCMS Youth Ministry’s YouthLead program helps teens develop leadership skills and then sends them out to serve in their congregations and communities.