Partnering with YPT to Make a Global Impact

Yesterday was Youth Pastor Theologian’s second birthday. This website started as a simple blog to advocate for a more theological approach to youth ministry. Now, two years later, we have featured 32 different authors from six countries and roughly 25% of our readers are from outside the USA.

In just the last two months, I’ve personally corresponded with youth workers and churches in Singapore, Cuba, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Canada. Previously, I’ve connected with youth workers in Austria, Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, and the Philippines. It’s incredible how the Lord has used the internet to connect so many like-minded youth workers around the world.

Youth Pastor Theologian started as a passion project. For these first two years, it was 100% funded out of my own bank account and the work was done during my “spare time,” while also being a husband, father, full-time youth pastor, and writing my third book (Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith releases in July!). Needless to say, YPT has outgrown my capacity to lead on such a volunteer basis. I’m thrilled to partner with Prepared to Answer through their PTA GO initiative, in order to launch Youth Pastor Theologian as a full-time ministry.

Will you please pray about how you can support Youth Pastor Theologian’s impact on youth workers, across America and around the world? Please visit our Give page to learn more.

YPT Testimonies

Through YPT, I’ve had the chance to serve youth workers and churches around America: Massachusetts, California, Washington, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, and New York. But something most readers don’t realize is the international reach of Youth Pastor Theologian. Here are a few testimonies from our international readers.

Mike’s book, being used at a youth worker training in Australia (May, 2023). Photo courtesy of Dave Phillips.

“It’s been my privilege to work with Mike McGarry for the past two years: we invited him to be a speaker at our inaugural national youth leaders conference which - in COVID - he delivered over zoom. Youth Pastor Theologian helps our youth leaders in Australia to mature in their thinking about the nature and practice of youth ministry. We find it helpful to have access to this resource of ongoing conversations with expert youth leaders, to help our own leaders on their way to maturity.”

David Phillips,
General Manager, Presbyterian Youth NSW
Convener, Committee on Training and Discipleship; Presbyterian Church Australia.

Encouraging Youth Workers to Pursue Theological Depth

There are a few ways to describe what Youth Pastor Theologian does. But this has become one of the simplest: we encourage youth workers to pursue theological depth.

If the mission of youth ministry is to make lifelong disciples and we aren’t having theological conversations - then what do we really expect to happen?! Teenagers (yes, even Middle School boys!) are asking difficult questions and they’re asking whether or not a Christian worldview fits into today’s postChristian world. If youth workers aren’t theologically-formed themselves, then they’re going to struggle to enter those conversations with confidence.

That’s where YPT comes in. We want to help youth workers think biblically about what youth ministry is and to have theological conversations with confidence.

As recently as last week, I got another rejection from a publishing professional because theological works about youth ministry aren’t financially profitable. I understand that, to a degree, because publishers need to make enough money to stay in business so they can continue publishing good books. This is simply to say the work that Youth Pastor Theologian is doing is important and desperately needed, because we need theological resources for youth workers.

In the midst of so many complaints about the theological shallowness in most student ministries, we need Christians who are willing to financially support theological resources for youth workers.

Will You Partner With Us?

Giving financially to Youth Pastor Theologian is an investment in global youth workers who are prayerfully obeying the Great Commission. No, YPT is not a “missionary” in the traditional sense. We will not plant new churches or make contact with unreached peoples. But, thanks to the internet, we are making a Great Commission impact in ministries around the world who are among the next generation. This is especially true among youth workers (as you’ve heard in the testimonies above) who simply do not have the benefit of formal theological training or finances to purchase theological resources.

Will you pray about how you can partner with Youth Pastor Theologian to support youth workers to pursue theological depth in their ministry to teenagers? We need individuals and churches to partner with us in this important ministry.

One time gifts are always appreciated. Recurring gifts are most-needed at this time, in order for us to know what projects we will have the finances to undertake.

If you’d like to set up a meeting with Mike prior to giving, please contact him here.