When he is not leading directing the CYMT, working with the youth at Brentwood, speaking at youth events, helping build new youth ministries, or training other youth workers, Deech enjoys spending time with his wife Keeley, new baby daughter Carlisle, and dog Bear.

Mark DeVries
Chair of Board of Directors
mark@ymarchitects.com

Mark is the founder of Youth Ministry Architects, a hands-on coaching service for churches whose youth ministries are in transition (intentional or unexpected) or churches who hope to see their youth ministries move to the next level.

For over 20 years, Mark has served as Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families at First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn., where he continues to oversee the youth ministry on a part-time basis.

Mark has trained youth leaders across the United States, as well as in Russia, Canada, Uganda, and South Africa, working with a wide variety of denominations. He has taught courses or been a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and seminaries, including Princeton Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt Divinity School, David Lipscomb University, King College, and Reformed Theological Seminary

Lesleigh Carmichael
Director of Coaching
lesleigh@cymt.org

From 1998-2005, Lesleigh Carmichael served as an Associate Minister at Woodmont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tenn where her primary responsibility was serving as the youth minister. In addition to working with the CYMT, Lesleigh is a youth ministry consultant with Youth Ministry Architects.

Lesleigh holds a B.S. from Auburn University and a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

When she is not working at the CYMT or working with YMA, Lesleigh enjoys spending time with her husband, Jamey, and their two little girls, Anna Lauryn and Karaley.

Will Penner
Resource Director
will@cymt.org

Will has been in ministry with young people for two decades. He's served on staff at Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches; he taught English, creative writing, biblical studies, and civics in public and private high schools; he's coached debate and varsity softball; and he was the principal of a Christian secondary school. He and his wife are currently the volunteer youth pastors at Westview United Methodist Church in Fairview, TN, where they live with their four children (ages ranging from 2 to 15). He's a freelance writer and a very popular speaker at ministry and corporate training events as well as youth retreats, camps, and conferences. Will is also the Executive Editor of The Journal of Student Ministries, the premier publication for professionals in youth ministry.

Will received his B.S.Ed. and M.S.Ed. from Baylor University, and is all-but-dissertation on a Ph.D. in education and Human Development from Vanderbilt.

Keeley Kirk
PR & Events Coordinator
keeley@cymt.org

Keeley has been a volunteer for several youth groups in Presbyterian and Methodist churches in Tennessee for 14 years. Keeley is a graduate of Lambuth University with a BA in Communications. She specializes in public relations, marketing, graphic arts, and business organization.

Keeley lives in Brentwood, TN with her husband, Dietrich, and their daughter Carlisle and dog, Bear.

Jacob Fasig
Coach
jacob@cymt.org

Jacob has been working in youth ministry since 1997. He has served in various churches and staffing dynamics. He is a co-author to “Now What: Next Steps for Your New Life in Christ” and enjoys playing music. He is currently working at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, TN and has been there since the summer of 2005.

Jacob has a B.A. in Religion from Lambuth University.

He is married to Allison and has two daughters, one named Zoe and the other still on the way (She is due to arrive sometime in late April).

Susan Groce
Coach
susan@cymt.org

Susan was called into youth ministry in 1998 as a volunteer at Jenkins Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Nolensville, TN.  In 2001 she joined their staff and currently serves as the youth director at JCPC, the Youth Advisor for Columbia Presbytery, Chairperson of the Columbia Presbytery Board of Christian Education, and as a denominational Christian education consultant.  She is a contributor to Bridges Newsletter and The Cumberland Presbyterian magazine.

Susan earned her B.S from Middle Tennessee State University and a M.A.R. from Memphis Theological Seminary.

When she has free time, she loves scrapbooking, walking and watching Law and Order.  But most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband of ten years, Jaime, and their two sons, Braxton and Thatcher.

Dr. Jack Radcliffe
Coach
jack@cymt.org

Jack serves as an Interim Associate Pastor with responsibilities for youth ministry at Bellevue Presbyterian Church.  He has been in youth ministry for 21years serving churches in Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts and Tennessee.  In addition to local church ministry, Jack has spoken at retreats, conducted youth ministry training seminars, served as a Youth Network coordinator in New England for the National Network of Youth Ministries, is a Parenteen speaker and a consultant with Youth Minsitry Architects.

Jack has an M.Div from Ashland Theological Seminary and a D.Min in Youth and Family Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. 

He lives in Spring Hill, TN with his wife Patti, sons Joshua, Tyler, Brandon and daughter Danae. In his spare time, Jack enjoys spending time with his family and doing triathlons.