Most Youth Leaders are dynamic people that love Jesus passionately, and many have had some formal Bible training. However, the average vocational Youth Leader is burned out or fired within 20 months! Why? Usually there is one or more of the following reasons involved :

• Immaturity of the youth leader in managing personal time/spiritual walk/family/etc.
• Failure of the church in supporting the youth leader in prayer/encouragement/fair salary/etc.
• Undeveloped affirming relationships and encouragement from peers and coworkers
• Lack of education regarding healthy ministry practices
• Vocational Ministry is HARD work
• Spiritual Warfare...1 Peter 5:8

A healthy youth leader needs around 4-5 years of consistent ministry to build a foundational ministry experiencing holistic discipleship success.

A high percentage of the most successful world missionaries and church planters....first had the opportunity to grow into successful youth leaders. This is likely due to the fact that ministering to teens over a period of time requires great adaptation and gifting.

We define "success" in ministry by whether or not the Great Commission is being fulfilled with tangible results over time. I.E. New people begin to follow Christ, experience discipleship, and over time reach out to others as a part of their discipleship.

Youth Leaders are ultimately Exago's focus because encouraged, affirmed, educated, accountable leaders stand a better chance of not only surviving, but thriving and growing in their ministry influence.

This success emboldens them as they continue to build disciples into their ministry future.