"Deech" Kirk served as the youth minister of Brentwood United Methodist Church for six years before becoming the Executive Director of the Center for Youth Ministry Training in 2006. He continues to serve as one of Brentwood's assoicate ministers.  He is one of the Co-author's of Now What? Next Steps in Your New Life with Christ.   When he is not leading directing the CYMT, speaking at youth events, helping build new youth ministries, or training other youth workers, Deech enjoys spending time with his wife Keeley, daughters Carlisle and Hallie, and dog Bear.

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. Additionally, 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. 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 is the author of Family Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry.

 

Lesleigh directs the coaching process for the CYMT students.  She has been here from the beginning and transitioned to her new role in the Spring  of 2008 from the many jobs she had before at CYMT.   When she is not working at the CYMT, Lesleigh enjoys spending time with her husband, Jamey, and their two little girls, Anna Lauryn and Karaley.  Lesleigh is also a consultant with Youth Ministry Architects.

Will is the Executive Editor of The Journal of Student Ministries, the premier publication for professionals in youth ministry. 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 16 to womb). As a part of the Lilly Grant, Will develops resources for the CYMT that will be distributed through our new website Youth Ministry Today, www.ymtoday.com.

Jacob is on staff as one of the youth ministers at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, TN.  He is married to Allison and has two daughters, Zoe and Eve. Jacob coaches our students working with each church's youth ministry team to build a foundation for effective youth ministry.

Glenn is on staff as the director of student ministries at Northside United Methodist Church in Jackson, TN.  He is married to Barbie and has two daughters, Celeste and Summer.  Glenn coaches our students and works with each church's youth ministry team to build a foundation for effective youth ministry.

After 10 years working with the youth at her home church, Susan accepted a call in 2008 to serve the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination as the Coordinator of Ministries with Youth and Young Adult. She enjoys spending time with her husband of twelve years, Jaime, and their two sons, Braxton and Thatcher.  Susan and her family live in Collierville, TN. Susan coaches our students and works with each church’s youth ministry team to build a foundation for effective youth ministry.

Kris is the Director of Youth Ministries and Young Adults at Collierville United Methodist Church in Collierville, Tennessee.  She is married to Bob and has three children Melissa, Chris, and Laura.

Chad is one of five pastors at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, and serves as the Pastor of Student Ministries.  He focuses on junior high, high school, and college students and their families.  Chad is married to Katey and has two kids, Maggie and Max and a Chocolate lab named Bullet.

Tony grew up a “Hoosier” (someone from Indiana) and has been involved in youth ministry since 1989.  He has a Masters degree in Christian Education/Youth Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a frequent contributor to Group magazine, a leading youth ministry resource.  He recently began his 7th year of serving at the Minister to Youth and their Families at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

Tony is married to Debbi and is dad to Madison (15) Samuel (11) and Hannah Grace (4). 
In his free time he likes hanging out with his family, hiking, fishing, canoeing and writing.

Jason Sansbury is the youth minister at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Franklin, TN where he has served since 2005.  Previously, Jason has worked in youth ministry, serving churches in Georgia as well as being on staff for Young Life.  Additionally, Jason was one of the founding partners of Crossed-Up Ministries, a ministry specialized in putting together large worship events for youth groups.  He has a heart for helping young people find their call into ministry and succeeding early in their ministry and careers.For fun, Jason loves movies, music and television. He is a fount of useless pop culture trivia and dreams of being a winner on the TV show “Jeopardy.”

For the past 20 years Judy has been involved in children’s ministry serving churches in Brentwood, TN and Denver CO.  She is currently on staff at Brentwood UMC serving as associate director of children’s ministry.  She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Christian Educators Fellowship and been a consultant with Cokesbury on VBS curriculum.  In her leisure time she enjoys being outdoors hiking and biking and spending time with her 6 grandchildren.

Julia directs the editorial efforts for the www.ymtoday.com family of websites and manages operations and events for CYMT.  She has an extensive background in marketing for both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.  Prior to joining CYMT she was a freelance marketing consultant.  A native Tennessean, Julia and her husband Jonathan live in Nashville with their dog, Elwood, and they enjoy traveling, cooking, biking and going to music events. 

Keeley specializes in public relations, marketing, graphic arts, and business organization. Keeley lives in Brentwood, TN with her husband, Dietrich, and their daughter Carlisle.  Keeley manages all public relations activities, as well as, coordinates the admissions process for the CYMT. 

Jim Edwards volunteers his time as our Director of Finance.  Jim is retired from a life in business with Sage Employment.  He and his wife Katie have one son, Steven, and enjoy spending their time traveling and playing golf.