The Origin Story
I have a passion for Jesus, students, and youth ministry. I believe the church is the best place for students to stretch their leadership muscles and grow.
I studied Christian Education at Wheaton College and I have served in a few churches and as a youth pastor – but it all started when I fell in love with youth ministry as a junior high small group leader.
As a youth pastor I noticed that every time I put students in charge, the youth ministry increased. Naturally, I began looking for tools to help me develop my young leaders, but I found none. That’s when God laid on my heart a desire to make leadership development resources for youth ministry. In 1994, I started LeaderTreks as a response to that burden.
Today LeaderTreks Youth Ministry offers trips, leadership training, and curriculum all focused on making disciples and developing leaders.
Doug's Driving Principles
Small
I believe that large is inspirational and small is transformational. I want to spend my time working in small groups of youth workers and students because I want to see change happen. Real transformation requires time and relationship.
Intentional
When youth workers tell me they have used a LeaderTreks resource, my first response is “did it work?” I want to create experiences and resources that are practical and actually work for youth ministry. Purpose drives me – I don’t want to just make products, I want to make tools that help students make decisions to follow Christ.
Experiential
A student’s learning is not as dependent on how much they hear as it’s dependent on how much they do. That’s why our motto at LeaderTreks Youth Ministry is Principals + Experience = Transformational change. Everything we create—every training, every lesson, every trip—has an experiential component.
Resources Written by Doug
The Disconnect
$7.95
Unlock a stronger, more effective partnership with your senior pastor—The Disconnect gives youth pastors practical tools and wisdom to improve communication, build trust, and take your ministry to the next level.
Student Leaders Start Here
$7.95
Develop confident student leaders with Student Leaders Start Here—an interactive workbook with five assessments and practical tools to help students discover their strengths and build leadership skills.
Moving On:
Grad Gift
$9.95
Help students discover their God-given mission with Moving On—a practical, interactive workbook (and perfect grad gift) that guides them through four assessments using the formula Burden + Passion + Vision = Mission to map out their next steps for the future.
Speaking
Places Doug Has Spoken
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