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Testimonials
“simple and easy to utilize, it’s been a huge blessing”
“Using the Spice Rack youth group curriculum has been a great tool in developing the Sunday morning youth service. The way it is laid out is simple and easy to utilize, it’s been a huge blessing during this time of … Continue reading
“I am really liking the Spice Rack curriculum”
“I am really liking the Spice Rack curriculum. One of the exercises we did was to write a dishonest prayer to God followed by an honest one. I would have never thought of that, and man, what a difference it … Continue reading
“the best thing that I could do for the children and youth ministry at the church was to form a relationship with the Youth Ministry Architects”
“Thank you for all that you have done in making the Assessment at our church a wonderful success. Your faithfulness, intelligence, experience, gregariousness and positive outlook have changed the attitudes of many members of the church. These are the things … Continue reading
“Watching you at work is very much like watching a painter or a sculptor creating a masterpiece.”
“Just a note to say thank you so much for all you have done for us the past 3 days. I know you will say that it is a pleasure, but that is a big part of why we are … Continue reading
“outstanding”
“The presentation was outstanding last weekend. It was exactly what I needed to hear and exactly what our church needs in equipping us to move our ministry forward at a time of transition.” ~Cheryl Wunderlich, Volunteer, Calvary Bible Church of Portage, … Continue reading
“best money we’ve spent in a long time on our youth ministry”
“Working with YMA is the best money we’ve spent in a long time on our youth ministry. What better way to invest in our youth than a strong foundational structure for ministry, a vision and a course that give intentionality to our work, … Continue reading
“clear goals and doable actions.”
“I always value our conversations, but today I could sense more growth and strength in myself. Thank you for bringing that out in me. I am excited about these clear goals and doable actions.” Grace Timms, Minister for Youth Discipleship, Central … Continue reading
“valuable resource during our search process.”
“We have found our candidate! We are making a call this week and know it’s the one for our job! You have been a valuable resource during our search process.” -Laura Burrell, Chairperson Search Committee First Presbyterian Church of Anderson, SC
“My leaders and I love this material.”
My leaders and I love this material. It is flexible, engaging, and has been sparking conversation in our youth we have never heard before. We are so anxious to see what the next lessons will be about and how we … Continue reading
“You truly have a gift”
“It was because of your work and report that helped to light a fire under the Youth Ministries Committee. They are moving forward in what I believe to be a good direction. Overall, they are moving forward with many of … Continue reading
“This is perfect.”
“Wow, thank you so much! This is perfect. It is great to know that there are organizations like Youth Ministry Architects that are available for support. Thank you for your help and please tell Mark DeVries that his book has … Continue reading
“we’re having to bring in extra seating!”
“We, both leaders and students, have love the lessons. They have introduced a whole new format to our Sunday school and we’re having to bring in extra seating. Someone over there is doing a great job! God bless your ministry!” … Continue reading
“I laughed out loud several times”
I wanted to thank you for your excellent book, Sustainable Youth Ministry. You validated so many of the things I’ve been led to do through the years. Certain principles, lines and scenarios you wrote about matched my 20 years to … Continue reading
“Absolutely fabulous!!!!”
HOLY COW! (moo!) I am reading chapter 10 of Sustainable Youth Ministry about recruiting- honestly you may think this process is not (or should not) be a surprise, but I’m in my 7th year of YM and I have NEVER … Continue reading
“A must read”
“A must read for vestries and lay leadership teams. A must read for youth ministers.” -Rev. David Fuller, The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Australia
“made me feel like we were your only clients”
I just want to offer up a great big “thank you” to [YMA] for your time and energy. I’m in admiration of what you do: it is a huge amount of work and also time on the road to visit … Continue reading
“extremely helpful and encouraging”
Thanks again for the help. It was extremely helpful and encouraging to process youth ministry with someone who knew the right questions to ask and who lives on the “balcony” of the youth ministry world and able to see national … Continue reading
“lessons are so dynamic, providing numerous ways to engage and interact with youth”
I have loved using Spice Rack lessons this past year as I have taught sixth grade girls’ Sunday School. These lessons are so dynamic, providing numerous ways to engage and interact with youth; they make it easy to address students … Continue reading
“like sitting down with a trusted friend”
I offer praise for the book Sustainable Youth Ministry. For me, it was like sitting down with a trusted friend and asking for ministry advice from people who spoke our language. – Josh Rhoades, Volunteer Youth Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist of … Continue reading
“passion and expertise”
Thank you so much, again, for your time and passion and expertise in working with our team these last few days. It was so very helpful as we look to continue to build for greater health, fruit, growth and effectiveness … Continue reading
“The YMA Process has changed my ministry.”
“The YMA Process has changed my ministry.” — Josh Conklin, while serving at Independence Hill Baptist Church Huntersville, NC
“We could not be more excited”
“Jen and Lesleigh, I wanted to let you know how much we all appreciate your help, guidance, and prayers in finding a Youth Minister. We could not be more excited about our new Youth Minister and how everything worked out. … Continue reading
“making our Search Process smooth as silk!”
“YMA, we can’t thank you enough for making our Search Process smooth as silk! We feel so blessed to have found Justin!” -Cindy, Independence Hill Bapist Church, Huntersville, NC
“wise and steady leadership”
“Thank you YMA for all your great work and patience with us these past months. I truly appreciate all you mean to us and your wise and steady leadership. We have arrived where we were meant to arrive, I feel.” … Continue reading
“terrific seminar!”
“I was among the attendees at your February 5 seminar at Covenant Presbyterian in Austin. Thanks so much for a terrific seminar! I came home with half a dozen action items, and will certainly come up with others as I … Continue reading
“I feel equipped and invigorated!”
“Whoa. What a great week. I feel equipped and invigorated! The ‘Understanding Your Teenager’ parenting seminar was really the big surprise for me. I was thinking of it as a small add-on bonus, but it was powerful, wonderful, inspiring and … Continue reading
“guests raved about him”
“We were so happy to have Mark with us for the weekend. The guests raved about him and I had so many tell me that his topic was right where they needed to be hit. I loved working with him … Continue reading
” confidence and objectivity the consultation Youth Ministry Architects instilled”
“We started at ground zero with an inactive Youth Program and within six months are up and running with: Rites of Passage in place for entering 6th graders, rising 9th graders who have just completed their confirmation year, and for … Continue reading
“I am so heartened by the work they are doing”
“Jen and James have done a fantastic job here the last couple of days. I am so heartened by the work they are doing. Thanks for this ministry.” —Rev. Mary Lynn Tobin, Senior Pastor Davis Community Church, Davis, CA
“it has refueled my calling in youth ministry”
“Thank you for your encouraging words and faithful friendship in ministry! I’m so grateful for the journey we’ve been on with YMA. It has refueled my calling in youth ministry and given me new eyes to see the future. Thanks!!!” … Continue reading
“It has given me great comfort”
“Thank you for bringing Lesleigh and Will into my life! They have been good friends to me through this process. It has given me great comfort to know that I can call them for guidance. It’s hard for me to … Continue reading
“I was thoroughly impressed with his command of the subject of youth ministry”
“I followed up on the referral to Youth Ministry Architects (YMA) and had two extensive conversations with Jeff Dunn-Rankin before Christmas. I was thoroughly impressed with his command of the subject of youth ministry; his extensive experience in this field; … Continue reading
“I feel a renewed confidence and a fresh attitude toward the ministry with youth”
“At Fourth Presbyterian we were in need of expanding our youth staff, giving more infrastructure to our youth ministry, and bringing our vision of what we wanted our youth ministry to be in the future into clearer focus. God brought … Continue reading
“They were terrific!”
“Thank you for your organization and the services it provides, and thank for sending us Jen and Lesleigh! They were terrific! Their personalities, professionalism, and their obvious heart for their jobs were appreciated by all and will go along way … Continue reading
“You have moved us faster and further than we would ever have come”
“You are a real catalyst and have unique and wonderful gifts. [The Team] sung your praises last night at vestry. Thanks for all that you are doing and have done for us. You have moved us faster and further than … Continue reading
“This is so energizing!”
“This is so energizing! I’m not working alone. I’m part of a team! Hooray!” —Jane Hamilton, St. Thomas’ Whitemarsh Episcopal – Whitemarsh, NJ
“You have fortified me”
On YMA Consultations: “Thank you [YMA] for taking our church on and providing the leadership and advice to help us get our program off the ground. Who would’ve ever guessed that we’d be where we are now….and feel so positive … Continue reading
“Mark DeVries loves the church audaciously”
“Mark DeVries loves the church audaciously and dares to approach youth ministry as though it matters. If anyone can clean out our ‘ecclesiastical ear wax’ so that we can hear Jesus more clearly, it is Mark DeVries.” —Kenda Dean, Professor … Continue reading
“organized, step-by-step method”
“Mark’s vision and formula for building Youth Ministry programs in an organized, step-by-step method, along with his ability to achieve a consensus of thinking, are the cornerstones that assure success in building a Youth Ministry program. Our vestry is deeply … Continue reading
“parents and other adult volunteers are flourishing”
“Mark worked closely with us during our interim period as we restructured and strengthened our foundation and grew our volunteer base. We now operate a growing, successful Family Based Youth Ministry in which our Youth, parents and other adult volunteers … Continue reading
“a true blessing”
“Mark DeVries changed our staff and its focus from a program-driven to a relationship-based emphasis. As a result, our youth group has grown. There are a lot more caring Christian adults involved. Mark’s energy, enthusiasm and good humor make working … Continue reading
“we get more than our monies worth”
“[Mark] seeks the perspective of many people and…really helped us clearly see our current approach to youth ministry and helped us dream and create our own vision. He has a lot of energy, and we schedule him for long and … Continue reading
“I couldn’t be more pleased or excited”
“I couldn’t be more pleased or excited about the wonderful help we are getting from YMA. I think Jen and Lesleigh are terrific at what they do. They remind me of the qualities that we look for in a program … Continue reading
“I got the jumpstart I desperately needed.”
“This past weekend was truly the highlight of my past five years of youth ministry. Thanks to [Mark], I got the jumpstart I desperately needed.” —Anne Peacock, Director of Youth – Ladue Chapel – St. Louis, Missouri
“an excellent source for your church”
“I can’t say enough about Mark. Two years ago, we reorganized the Youth Committee and … We brought Mark in meet with the Youth Committee and our parents. He has since come back twice…[He] would be an excellent source for … Continue reading
“you have done a remarkable job with our program”
“It was so good to see you and Jen, you have done a remarkable job with our program and setting infrastructure that will guide for the future. I hope to see you in a year to help with the review … Continue reading
“you are the master of youth-ministry development.”
“Jeff and Mark, you provided the best staff-building day. It showed and proved why you are the master of youth-ministry development.” —Rev. Matthew Corkern, Christ Church Cathedral – Nashville, TN
Testimonial #1122
On YMA Consultations: “I’m writing to express again, how much we at Newlonsburg Presbyterian have received from your ministry. [The]Youth ministry has had some great developments and the ground work (dance floor) and the support (maybe akin to the professional … Continue reading
Testimonial #1120
On YMA Consultations: “Mark’s coaching not only brought a lot of enthusiasm and encouragement to our youth team, it gave us a template from which to work with our youth for the next three years. He gave us confidence that … Continue reading
Testimonial #1118
On YMA Consultations: “I can’t tell you how encouraging and insightful Jeff was to me and then to our ministry team as I repeated many of his encouraging words to them. Thank you for your continued labor for His glory … Continue reading
