I am joining the team at The Center for Youth Ministry Training as a part of a merger with Ministry Leadership Initiative. This partnership allows both organizations to expand to new regions, better supporting local ministry partners with extraordinary resources for youth and children's ministry. In this redefined role, I primarily oversee an undergraduate-level practical ministry training and theological education program for youth and children's ministry leaders throughout the United States.

I annually teach a practicum on youth ministry with the Wilke Institute For Discipleship at Southwestern College.

Matt Vaughan is the executive director and founder of Ministry Leadership Initiative, a non-profit organization focusing on equipping church leaders to help, care for, and enrich the lives of young people with Christian witness. MLI is an expert resource in youth and children's ministry training, staff coaching, church consulting, and staffing solutions; the company utilizes a faculty of 30 professors, pastors, counselors, social workers, and business leaders. The mission statement is to… Show more Matt Vaughan is the executive director and founder of Ministry Leadership Initiative, a non-profit organization focusing on equipping church leaders to help, care for, and enrich the lives of young people with Christian witness. MLI is an expert resource in youth and children's ministry training, staff coaching, church consulting, and staffing solutions; the company utilizes a faculty of 30 professors, pastors, counselors, social workers, and business leaders. The mission statement is to develop authentic, intentional, and highly proficient leadership, sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with young people. Show less

Matt appreciated the honor of team-teaching a Practicum on Youth Ministry with Professor Kristen Kvam at the UMC Church of the Resurrection Saint Paul School of Theology campus.

Matt served Lawrence First Presbyterian Church during the 2016–17 school year and Southminster Presbyterian Church during the 2013–14 school year. Responsibilities in these congregations included the implementation of weekly programming, fostering positive, faith-based relationships with youth, leading volunteers, coordinating fundraisers, and planning special events. These were both interim positions during staff searches for long-term replacements. Both roles ended with the successful hires… Show more Matt served Lawrence First Presbyterian Church during the 2016–17 school year and Southminster Presbyterian Church during the 2013–14 school year. Responsibilities in these congregations included the implementation of weekly programming, fostering positive, faith-based relationships with youth, leading volunteers, coordinating fundraisers, and planning special events. These were both interim positions during staff searches for long-term replacements. Both roles ended with the successful hires of qualified successors, and both churches engaged in long-term partnerships with Ministry Leadership Initiative. Show less

Teach For America recruited Matt to join its service corps to become a teacher. The setting was an urban educational system that had experienced instability, high turnover, and low test scores. This year of service was a way to become more involved in providing leadership and education to a population of under-served young people in the midst of Kansas City in the following ways:• Taught science to 8th and 9th grade students in an under-resourced environment• Served a high-needs public… Show more Teach For America recruited Matt to join its service corps to become a teacher. The setting was an urban educational system that had experienced instability, high turnover, and low test scores. This year of service was a way to become more involved in providing leadership and education to a population of under-served young people in the midst of Kansas City in the following ways:• Taught science to 8th and 9th grade students in an under-resourced environment• Served a high-needs public 8th-12th grade school in a low-income setting• Achieved full proficiency in teaching in all evaluated areas, with recognition• Utilized individualized teaching strategies that resulted in significant student gains• Test scores showed 10 percent growth from previous year in state testing Show less

• Served a congregation of 4,500 members as a senior-level director• Recruited, trained, and utilized over 50 weekly volunteers in all areas of ministry• Supervised full-time and part-time staff in addition to 45 summer interns over twelve years• Wrote lesson plans, taught classes, and planned weekly events for over 100 students• Developed strategic plans, curriculum, and trip schedules, published annually• Co-authored a document that outlined the formation of a new worship… Show more • Served a congregation of 4,500 members as a senior-level director• Recruited, trained, and utilized over 50 weekly volunteers in all areas of ministry• Supervised full-time and part-time staff in addition to 45 summer interns over twelve years• Wrote lesson plans, taught classes, and planned weekly events for over 100 students• Developed strategic plans, curriculum, and trip schedules, published annually• Co-authored a document that outlined the formation of a new worship service• Served on a building committee that managed a $6 million campus expansion• Managed a combined budget of over $1.2 million over twelve years Show less

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church was a congregation of 950 members when I departed in 2000. I joined the church staff in a part-time role in early 1995. The program experienced dramatic growth, and in two years, the position increased to full-time. During my leadership, youth attendance tripled to over 70 weekly students in the youth ministry program.