Attention Youth Leaders who want to build a killer youth ministry that grows like crazy and becomes the most talked about thing in town!

This is EXACTLY how I led multiple youth ministries to exponential growth and I'm going to personally coach you through every single step I took to do it.

PLUS... I will give you full access to all my past coaching sessions as long as you're a member.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

Isn't it time you finally figured out how to do all those things they never taught you in Bible school?

Does this sound familiar???

You've worked tirelessly to plan events and gatherings, only to show up and find out that none of your kids are coming.

You've done all the so-called "best practices" and you were certain you were doing the right things, only to have a ministry that feels stagnant, leaving you feeling like a failure.

You try to command respect from students in your ministry, but they just won't listen or don't care what you have to say.

You are getting frustrated and overwhelmed by all the tasks and to dos, the never-ending list of activities, so much so that you're beginning to wonder if it's just pointless.

You have started to question your calling and sometimes wonder, "Am I even making a difference?"

If these hit home for you, I want you to know that you are in the right place, and you are called to this.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

What if...

...you could confidently rebuke the lies your Spiritual Enemy has been speaking into your heart and reclaim your calling as a skilled and gifted youth leader?

...you finally had a proven system that really WORKS whether you have a big budget or small budget, are in an urban, suburban, or rural context, big church, small church?

...you had a community of other youth leaders who understand what you're going through and care more about you than how successful you are?

...you could finally have your lead pastor, volunteers, parents, and students fully confident in your leadership?

...your ministry area became the buzz at school every week and the "it" thing in town?

Stop your Spiritual Enemy from speaking lies into your heart once and for all and reclaim your calling as a skilled, gifted, and well-trained youth leader.

Hi, I'm Brian Drinkwine and I'm currently the Lead Pastor of a church plant in California. But before that, I planted another church and was a youth pastor for more than 15 years.

During those 15 years, I had the honor of serving as a youth leader in multiple churches. These were small churches, medium-sized churches, and megachurches... and churches in urban, suburban, and small town areas.

When I first started, well... I was an idiot. I had a ton of passion, but didn't have the skill to make a ministry truly thrive for the long haul. As a result, my ministries would often grow rapidly, then fall apart. Something was wrong and I couldn't put my finger on it. I was so discouraged!

But something changed when I met Jeff, a veteran youth leader who coached me through all the things they never taught me in Bible school or seminary. Jeff showed me the ropes and things started to change.

Over time, I added skill to my passion and God began to do amazing things! Eventually, I discovered a system that could be used in any context, at any church, at any size... and it worked. Every single time. The next three ministries I led experienced sustained, exponential growth of 400% or more!

We saw sooooo many kids come to know Jesus. Those "light bulb moments" were incredible! Today, I can point to dozens and dozens of youth leaders, missionaries, pastors, and other leaders who came out of those ministries.

You see, when things weren't going well, it wasn't my calling that was the issue. It was that I needed a coach. Once I had a coach, I gained the clarity I needed to turn my dream into reality.

Today, I have a new mission: to give you the same thing Jeff gave me, a coach who cares and is ready to pass on all the skills, tricks, and stuff they never taught you in seminary.

I get you. I've been there. I understand what it's like to have a passion for teenagers and a desire for God to change lives, but to constantly be met by disappointment and frustration.

You don't have to do this alone. You don't have to keep white knuckling your way through ministry, secretly hiding the discouragement that comes from never having been given the tools to do it successfully.

This is why I do what I do. I don't want you to do this alone. Ever again.

Everyone in ministry has had a painful season, a traumatic moment, or a time when they felt in over their heads. EVERYONE. You're no different and neither am I.

But when it comes to teenagers, they need someone walking alongside them, listening and encouraging them to keep exploring Jesus. When they have a committed, caring youth leader, they have the opportunity to truly grow.

This is why I'm doing this. It's why I'm so passionate about pouring into youth leaders, because I believe the next generation is the now generation. Our legacy is in our teenagers, and you are the key to reaching them.

*** These are all pictures of me before the beard doing middle school, high school, camps, skits, outreach events, etc. You name it, I did it. And God did amazing things along the way! But make no mistake, behind all the fun, pizza, laughs and events was a ton of hard work, mistakes, and learning the hard way. Youth ministry is not easy, but it doesn't have to feel overwhelming.

Join my BETA coaching membership and you'll have total access to my weekly coaching calls and an invitation to my exclusive video chat community, where you'll be given the tools to truly thrive in youth ministry without ever questioning your calling again.

Stop playing trial-and-error with something so important as your calling.

The best is yet to come (trust me).

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

Here's the thing...

Students need your ministry.
You need a plan to reach them.
I want to help.

Do you sometimes wonder ...

  • How do I recruit a team of volunteers who can help me build a successful youth ministry?
  • What is the best way to attract new students to my ministry?
  • What is the best way to formulate a vision that will inspire my team?
  • How do I build a budget for my youth ministry?
  • What do I do when a parent needs advice and I don't feel like I'm equipped to help?
  • How can I get my Senior/Lead Pastor to have confidence in my leadership?
  • How can I handle conflict in my ministry in a way that unifies us, instead of dividing us?
  • Whose voice do I listen to when everybody seems to have advice?

...then you need this.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

Here's what you get when you become a Youth Leader Academy BETA member:

WEEKLY COACHING CALLS

Every week, you'll join me and other youth leaders just like you for a one hour video coaching session. During this time, I will walk you through the system I used to grow 3 different youth ministries by 400% or more. This means you can lead your ministry confidently with a biblically based model for discipleship, outreach, parent ministry, volunteer training, etc without ever second guessing whether you're headed in the right direction or not.

CLARIFYING DISCUSSIONS

There will also be discussion time, breakouts, and Q&R sessions where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get clear on how you can implement the strategies I teach you. This time also gives you an opportunity to hear from other experienced youth ministry practicioners with a different perspective than mine.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CHAT COMMUNITY

After you join, I will invite you into my video chat community on Marco Polo where you'll have 24/7 access to everyone else in the YLA membership. Here you can sharer stories, ask for help, and find encouragement at any time. This is really the glue that keeps us together. You'll make friends in this group who will be there with you for decades.

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Throughout your time as a member, I will provide various tools, PDFs, websites, book & curriculum recommendations, and more. Many of these could be sold, but I want to bless you, so you will have unlimited access to every tool I have ever recommended (or the link to access it) for the lifetime of your membership.

VIDEO VAULT

All of my coaching sessions will be recorded and kept in a members only vault, so if you ever miss a call or want to go back to refresh your mind, it will be available at no additional cost as long as you're a member. This includes all of my past coaching sessions from before you joined the membership.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

Let's break this down...

STEP 1: CLARIFY THE VISION

To build a growing youth ministry, the first thing you'll need to do is get clear on the vision God has for your ministry and a proven model of ministry you can implement to make the vision a reality. In this first step, we'll answer...

  • How to know that the vision for your ministry is God's vision and not just your own.
  • What the "5 Growth Engines" of youth ministry are and the biblical basis behind them.
  • How you can consistently implement your ministy vision and avoid the "yo-yo effect" we often see in youth ministry, where a youth group has multiple seasons of rapid growth followed by seasons of rapid decline.
  • How to decide which growth engine to start with and which ones can wait.

STEP 2: BUILD YOUR TEAM

You cannot do this alone! The only way to have sustained growth is to build a team around you that can help you build the ministry. A united team of adults is the linchpin of any thriving youth ministry. In this step, we'll answer:

  • How to surround yourself with a team of youth leaders who are trained, gifted, and love serving with you.
  • The most common mistakes youth leaders make when building a team.
  • How to structure your team so everyone has clearly defined roles according to their gifts.
  • How to keep your team united and committed to God's vision for your ministry and you as their leader.

STEP 3: GROW YOUR MINISTRY!

Now that you have a clear vision for your ministry and a united team, it's time to do the nuts and bolts things that make a ministry healthy and thriving. This step is indefinite and never ends. In this step, you'll learn...

  • The ins and outs of daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms of youth ministry.
  • How to care for your soul and go the distance in ministry without ever burning out.
  • How to respond when conflict threatens to take down your ministry.
  • The single best way to make sure your Lead/Senior Pastor backs up your leadership and brags to others about just how awesome your ministry is.

This is for you if...

  • You believe God has called you into youth ministry and you're looking for someone to coach you how to do it successfully.
  • You feel confident in your leadership, but you're looking for people who can relate with what you're experiencing.
  • Your Lead/Senior Pastor doesn't have time to coach you or doesn't have a youth ministry background.
  • You're an experienced youth leader, but you're hitting a wall and beginning to wonder if your days of youth ministry are over.
  • You're a volunteer youth leader who's looking for training that fits into your busy schedule.
  • You're an intern who's getting a lot of hands on opportunities, but you can tell you won't learn enough, so you need someone to accelerate your growth as a leader.

This is NOT just another class.

It's not a hyped up youth ministry fad.

This is a community of people who are passionate about youth ministry, want to learn and grow together, and are ready to see their ministries turn the world upside down for Jesus.

You want in?

It's your call.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

Members seriously get so much! As a member, you'll learn how to...

  • Plan weekly gatherings
  • Recruit volunteers
  • Train a Team
  • Prioritize Ministry Goals
  • Lead games like a pro
  • Build momentum during the summer
  • Get invited into local schools
  • Cast a vision that inspires your team
  • Transition from your ministry well
  • Maximize "Big Days"
  • Build a student leadership team
  • Gain favor with your lead pastor
  • Handle healthy conflict
  • Do outreach effectively
  • Help hurting students
  • Strategically plan a ministry calendar
  • Care for your soul
  • Manage your schedule
  • Create a dynamic environment for gatherings
  • Grow spiritually, not just numerically
  • Identify the right team members
  • Build a budget
  • Plan life-changing events
  • Lead a small group
  • Get parents to love your leadership
  • Get first-timers to become regulars
  • Plan camps and retreats
  • Prevent burnout
  • Teach transformational messages
  • And so, so much more.

BONUS!

90-Day 1-on-1 Coaching Call

As a BETA member, I am doing something I will NOT be doing after the BETA phase is over. I will give you a 30-minute personal 1-on-1 coaching session after the first 90 days of our Beta Testing. This is at no cost to you. The only thing I will ask for in return is feedback on your experience so far.

Imagine...

  • Finally being able to have complete confidence in your calling as a youth leader.
  • Having a clear vision for your ministry and a team who is absolutely sold out to make it happen.
  • Seeing your ministry thrive regardless of your budget, church size, or facilities.
  • Always having other youth leaders you can go to who can relate to your struggles.
  • Having a dedicated, experienced guide to help you every step of the way.
  • Never wondering if you were called to this again. You are!
  • Getting exclusive access to a treasure trove of tools and resources that you can return to any time you need them.

Still on the fence?

Right now, you'll just pay $1 for your first 30 days.

...and I'm giving this to you at a steep discount for being a part of my BETA group.

...and you'll be eligible for a 1-on-1 coaching session at no cost.

But let's make this an even easier decision.

Stick around for 90 days of coaching and if you aren't seeing results, I'll give you every dollar back.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

THIS MEMBERSHIP SLAYS!

What you get:

  • Weekly group coaching sessions with Brian
  • An invitation to Brian's exclusive video chat community
  • Access to all past coaching videos

What it means:

  • Having a trusted community who understands your situation
  • Practical training from experienced youth ministry practicioners
  • A proven "system" that results in ministry growth, not just numerically, but spiritually.

It's time to finally reclaim your calling.

***first month $1 (paid today) then $97/month $7/month forever

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are you offering ALL of this for such a low cost?Because I want to reward people who become members in the earliest stages of Youth Leader Academy. Also, one of the things I remember most about being a youth leader was how tight my finances were, and this price puts the membership within reach of the vast majority of people. It's not too expensive for even the humblest beginner. Also, Anyone who's not serious enough about their business to invest this small amount isn't going to take the time to use the membership anyway. From experience, I know that when people are not willing to invest, then no matter what, they’ll never actually do what it takes to be successful.
Who is this for?Youth Leader Academy is for youth leaders of all types. Whether you are a volunteer youth leader, full-time youth pastor, part-time youth director, intern, or a youth ministry veteran, I believe you'll get a ton out of this experience. That said, this coaching program is probably best suited for youth leaders with less than 10 years of full-time experience.
Should my church be paying for my membership?That's obviously between you and your church, but it is quite normal for church's to include memberships like these in their budget. However, if you need to pay for the membership on your own, it will be worth it.
How is the coaching structured?This membership is a scaled group coaching program with a weekly Zoom call and a 24/7 video chat community through Marco Polo. This means that it has unlimited participants while still remaining very personal and relational. The hope is that this also allows the coaching membership to remain at a low cost for as long as possible.
Do you offer 1-on-1 coaching?Not at this time. It is possible that I will begin offering individualized coaching sessions after the BETA phase, but it will be contingent on my confidence that I can continue to give the main membership group a coaching experience at a high level of excellence.
What if I decide this isn't the right membership for me?No problem! I want what's best for you. There is no long-term contract, so you can cancel at any time. If you decide it was particularly unhelpful, let me know and I'll refund ever single dollar you've paid. No questions asked and absolutely no grudges held.
Does Youth Leader Academy have a Statement of Beliefs?We do not. This coaching is focused on the "how to" do youth ministry, not on a particular set of doctrines. We do affirm the Bible as God's Word and that Jesus is Lord, but outside of that, you will find members of the coaching community to be pretty theological diverse.
What do I do if I have a theological disagreement with a member?We strictly forbid theological debates during coaching calls and the video chat community. All discussion must be centered around youth ministry. There is a 3 strikes rule for this and a member will be removed if they cannot respect this boundary.
How long will the coaching be in BETA?There is no timeline on the BETA at this moment. It will move in phases, with the cost going up incrementally over the course of the first several months. We will move out of BETA once we are confident that we have reached a sustainable enrrollment.
What is expected of me as a BETA member?Just stick around for 90 days! Let's call that the "trial run." At the end of this, I'll offer you a 30 minute 1-on-1 coaching session and would love it if you would consider leaving a review or testimonial for future members.
When is the first video coaching session?The "launch day" for Youth Leader Academy is April 4th, 2024 at 10:00AM PDT.
If I enroll before the first session, will I be over-billed?Absolutely not. Your first full cost ($7/month) billing will not occur until 30 days after the first session. For example, if you enroll today for $1 and the first session isn't until April 4th, you will not be billed for the second month until approximately May 4th.