If you’re a youth pastor looking for a high-quality overnight Christian camp in the Western U.S., this A–Z list highlights twelve standout options known for strong programming, solid lodging, great food service, and memorable outdoor experiences. Based on a combination of things: parent reviews, youth pastor recommendations, online ratings, and general reputation for 2025.
TRAVIS DEANS has been in full-time youth ministry since 1996 as a youth pastor, campus ministry director, and youth network coordinator. Through Travis’s role, he mentors youth workers, consults for churches, assists youth workers to collaborate through evangelistic outreaches, equips students to share their faith, shares strategies for students to form campus ministries in their schools, and organizes youth ministry conferences.
Spring Thing Game Book is an all-in-one collection of ten Easter and Spring Time games. This collection of games is perfect for weekly meetings or to play a collection of games as an all-inclusive game event. There are a variety of up-front challenges, icebreakers, big group games, and even an Easter-time version of dodgeball. […]
Planning a summer mission trip for your student ministry involves more than choosing a destination — it’s about selecting an experience that is safe, spiritually formative, logistically manageable, and meaningful for both your students and the community you serve. This list (*in no order) highlights ten trusted organizations that specialize in SHORT-TERM (5–10 DAY), U.S.–BASED […]
DAVID HARDIE is a big, bearded, full-time youth speaker who travels the world inspiring teenagers and adults to “Tell a Bigger Story” while creating some pretty awesome T-shirt designs (which he draws by hand) that he sells at large events
Top 10 list of college youth ministry programs/majors in the United States (Alphabetically) based on reputation, curriculum strength, practical experience opportunities, professors, and career preparation (employment/placement), based on combining national rankings, popular programs, internships, and reviews.
ANDREW LAIRD has been in youth ministry since 2016. Since then, his passion has been to equip students, volunteers, and parents to live out Jesus’s method of relational discipleship, share the gospel, find evangelistic avenues in their school and community, and challenge them to hold on to their faith.
Leading With Purpose (Policies, Procedures, & Processes). In the heart of every truly thriving church, I have seen is a clear sense of mission—a compelling “why” that drives everything from Sunday sermons to midweek ministries. Unfortunately, I have also seen and worked for those without clarity around their mission. Understand also, even the most passionate […]
KYLE FOX is a husband and father of four and currently serves as the Discipleship Pastor at West Bridge Church in Danville, Indiana. He loves helping students walk closely with Jesus by going deep, tackling the real issues they face, and helping them see the real Jesus. HE also loves encouraging youth groups and the leaders who pour into them.
20 Family Prayer Practices and Experiences is a practical, hope-filled guide designed to help families pray together in meaningful, life-giving ways while doing something together. Created with busy families in mind, this downloadable PDF offers 20 simple yet powerful prayer practices and experiences that foster connection, spark spiritual conversations, and intentionally nurture your teen’s faith.
