As the Center for Youth Ministry Training moves into 2009, I must take a moment to pause and remember all of the incredible things we have accomplished in 2008. We received our first national grant that has expanded our staff from 2 to 10! This increase has allowed us to expand and improve our capacity to do ministry.

Tell us about your experience with CYMT thus far. CYMT is a lot like a youth ministry for youth ministers. At our churches, we are all expected to lead and teach, troubleshoot and organize. But when we all come together for our CYMT classes, retreats, and small groups, we get the chance to be fed spiritually without the weighty pressure of being in charge.  The best part of CYMT is the bonds with other youth ministers. We play together, worship together, and share our burdens with one another. It is an intimate community of budding ministers with a heart for teenagers, who share practical ideas as well as support, encourage, and challenge each other.

The Center for Youth Ministry Training’s Board of Directors is excited to announce a collaborative partnership with Memphis Theological Seminary. Our partnership with MTS will help us more effectively accomplish the CYMT’s vision of training youth ministers. CYMT receives three primary benefits from this new relationship.