Leadership in Youth Ministry

When you boil Christian Endeavor International (CEI) down to its core, you discover the prevailing essence of leadership training. For over 130 years, this movement has focused its efforts on holding to the biblical mandate to 'train up a child' and Jesus' own example to equip and empower young leaders.

CEI has returned to its roots and retooled youth ministry for a new generation who are begging for higher expectations and greater accountability. We are raising the standard for youth ministry to produce youth in ministry who will lead the cause of Christ and put their faith in action today.

Like its founder, Dr. Francis E. Clark, the leadership of CEI is committed to the time-tested and proven premise of the original movement. We know that unless youth learn to lead in the church, they leave it. The guiding philosophy from 1881 continues to drive our ministry over 130 years later. We still believe:

1. Young people can make the same level of commitment to Jesus Christ as adults.
2. Never do anything in the church for young people they can learn to do themselves.

In an ongoing effort to support churchs' desperate desires for materials, training, and support to transition their youth programs to from adult-led to youth-owned and operated ministries where adults become mentors of youth in ministry, CEI offers congregations membership into its recent initiative, the Endeavor Movement™. Faith communities who understand God's call on this generation are joining this coalition of congregations and helping youth discover, develop, and deploy a God-sized mission for their lives.

In 2012, CEI will introduce another expression of the movement called, Youth Taking Action™. This effort allows youth who are discontent with local church youth ministries unwilling to adapt to the needs of this generation an opportunity to launch an Endeavor Society™ of their own. It also invites youth searching for significance or those seeking opportunities to express their faith in greater ways the chance to find their place in the cause of Jesus Christ. These innovative young leaders will be encouraged to recruit an adult mentor to support their mission, as they put their faith in action to fight for causes in their local communities and transform their world with the Gospel through love and service using the bible as their only curriculum.

The overall vision of CEI today is to build a unified army of youth taking action for Jesus Christ. The mission for accomplishing this objective is to train youth for mission and ministry. Whether it be through local church-based societies or via societies initiated through the Youth Taking Action™ website, CEI is prayerfully working with the larger body of Christ to equip and mobilize this generation to follow Jesus' mandate of going into all the world and making disciples.

If you share the heartbeat of the oldest North American youth movement that launched youth ministry, connect with CEI today. We can help your congregation, organization, or denomination make the shift to true youth-led ministry again.