Equipping you to lead the next generation
Growing Youth Ministry is a 12-month training course designed to develop and strengthen skills to work with young people and advance the Gospel.
GYM is a training resource from Wales Leadership Forum
OVERVIEW
A 12 month course to equip you with the tools, training, and support needed to build gospel-centred, mission-focused youth ministries.
Combining biblical depth, practical application, and accessibility, it’s for both volunteers and employed youth workers; helping churches start, grow, and revitalise.
Why are we Growing Youth Ministry?
Watch. Engage. Apply.
A Dynamic Blend of Online, In-Person, and Contextual Learning
Learn from educational videos, participate in online workshops, and gather in person for hands-on ministry development and seminars. All designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing youth work context.
Teaching
Video Series
Online Review Workshops
In-Person Gatherings
The course covers a wide range of topics, from the foundations of youth ministry and understanding today’s youth culture, to advanced outreach strategies, school-based ministry, and mental health support.
Youth Worker Bursary
Is your church looking to strengthen its existing youth ministry?
As part of our mission to see sustained growth of youth ministry across the nation, we have created the Youth Worker Bursary — offering churches matched funding to employ new youth workers.
Matched Funding
Up to £8,000 towards employing a full time Youth Worker
Exclusive Training
Additional monthly in-person teaching days
Enhanced Mentoring
Direct guidance and 1:1 support from our team
TEACHING TEAM
Our course features insight, advice, and teaching from a range of subject matter experts across theological, educational, and pastoral disciplines.
Worship Leaders
Youth Pastors
Outreach Workers
Organisation Leaders
Safeguarding Officers
Schools Workers
Worship Leaders Youth Pastors Outreach Workers Organisation Leaders Safeguarding Officers Schools Workers
Mike Thomas
Lead Mentor & Course Director
Mike has spent over 30 years serving in both local and national ministry with a heart for community outreach.
He continues to serve as an Elder and Community Outreach Worker at Rumney Chapel and works as a Counties Evangelist, focusing on seeing lives transformed through Christ-centred mission. Mike also directs Spree Wales, the largest Christian festival for children and youth in Wales, and has founded Faith Space, an innovative youth ministry bringing the Gospel into schools and communities across South Wales.
PRICING
Standard
Ideal for youth workers, volunteers, and emerging leaders seeking practical training to disciple young people and share the Gospel in today’s culture.
video_library Teaching video series
handyman Online workshops
groups In-person gatherings
workspace_premium Certification
£80
was £100
We want this course to be accessible for all.
If the cost is a barrier to entry, get in touch.
Interested in our Youth Worker Bursary?
Up to £8,000 towards a Youth Worker salary, additional in-person teaching days, and direct oversight and support from our team.
FAQs
General Course Information
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It is a 12-month training programme designed to equip local churches in Wales to disciple and reach young people more effectively. It blends gospel-driven teaching with practical tools that work in real church contexts. The course includes video content, live workshops, and in-person gatherings.
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Growing Youth Ministry is a training resource from Wales Leadership Forum (WLF), a network committed to advancing the gospel across Wales through equipping leaders and churches. WLF provides funding, oversight, and partnership connections that make it possible to run the course. While Growing Youth Ministry focuses specifically on equipping youth workers for gospel-centred youth ministry, it is part of the wider WLF vision to see leaders in every area of church life trained, encouraged, and connected.
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Our focus is on local churches in Wales, especially those with limited resources. Participants include volunteer youth leaders, employed youth workers, emerging ministry leaders, and individuals exploring a calling to youth work.
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As long as you are able to attend the termly in-person meetups held in South Wales, we welcome participants from anywhere!
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Yes. You need to be volunteering or employed and able to provide a reference from the church you are serving at.
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We combine gospel-driven, mission-focused teaching with practical tools designed for real church contexts. The course is cross-denominational and aims to unite churches in a shared mission, while offering mentoring and support.
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By the end of the course, you will have developed practical skills for youth ministry, grown in confidence in the Gospel, learned to disciple young people effectively, and understood how to build sustainable ministry in your church.
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We cover foundations of youth ministry, discipleship, understanding youth culture, curriculum design, outreach, apologetics, safeguarding, volunteer management, cross-generational ministry, mental health, school ministry, leadership skills, and more.
Programme Structure and Delivery
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The course starts in January each year and lasts for 12 months.
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Around 5 hours a month. There are also four in-person gatherings each year.
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The Standard stream includes all video teaching, live workshops, homework, and in-person sessions. The Youth Worker Bursary stream includes all of the above plus 12 months matched funding for churches to employ a new youth worker, exclusive training days, enhanced mentoring, and direct guidance from our team.
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Yes. To get the most out of the course participants must complete each module and attend the four in-person training days.
Practical Participation Questions
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You need to be playing an active role in church-based youth ministry to take part. The course is suitable for those just starting out and also for those with lots of experience.
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You must be 18 or over to sign up, but there’s no upper age limit!
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Yes, we would love that! Going through the course together would help you grow and develop both individually and as a team.
Cost and Funding
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The standard fee is £100. An early bird rate of £80 is available until one month before the course starts, and all learners in the pilot cohort (starting January 2026) pay £80.
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Yes, the early bird rate is £80. To take advantage of this rate participants must be enrolled at least a month before the course begins in September.
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We don’t want a lack of access to funding to be a barrier for anyone. We offer funding support for those who cannot pay the full cost. Simply get in touch and have a short conversation with our team for more information.
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Churches can apply for 12 months matched salary support (up to £8000 contribution) to employ a new youth worker. This support comes hand in hand with additional training days and increased mentorship.
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Absolutely! Let us know who will be paying and we’ll send them the invoice directly.
For Churches and Leaders
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By sponsoring them financially, offering prayer and encouragement, and providing opportunities to apply what they learn.
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Yes. We would like to encourage all churches to consider signing up their existing youth ministry team to the course or employing a new Youth Worker through our Youth Work Bursary scheme.
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We believe that youth ministry is a key ministry in the Church. It help to support and encourage young people in their faith today, and to grow the future leaders of the Church of tomorrow.