Background
I grew up in Wheaton and had a great high school experience attending Wheaton Academy. From there I made the big move over to Wheaton College and graduated with a degree in Christian Education. For the past 20 years I have been serving in youth ministry. I am passionate about challenging students. I have grown frustrated with the state of youth ministry, as it requires less and less from students. My experience has been that students grow when they are challenged, not when they are made to be comfortable. I started LeaderTreks for youth pastors who wanted more for their students than just Sunday school answers. My desire is to see LeaderTreks help youth workers be transformational in the lives of students.

How did you become a Christian?
I prayed with my brother when I was 5 and asked Jesus into my heart. At 17 I rededicated my life to Christ and to pursuing Him with my whole heart. I think a lot about the parable Jesus told about the land owner who hired men in the morning and throughout the day until 5:00 pm in afternoon. When the master paid the men; the ones who started at 6 am were paid the same as those who started at 5 pm. In the story the men who started at 6 am complained that they were owed more because they worked all day. I like to think of it as a privilege to have served Jesus my whole life. I am a 6 am kind of guy and I try to remind myself that is a special calling which requires me to focus on finishing strong.

What is a leadership lesson you have learned while serving at LeaderTreks?
Humility - Leaders have to be willing to admit mistakes and apologies. I know this sounds simple but it’s the most powerful thing you can do as a leader.

What is one of your gifts and how do you use it?
My Leadership Type is a Mover. I enjoy creating strategies to help youth workers. LeaderTreks is a place I get to be creative and innovative about how students learn and grow. I love developing resources and tools that are transformational in students’ lives.

Who is one student that you have seen grow as a leader?
There are just so many; Lindsay Henley started here as a student and is now running a home for young men just off the streets in South Africa. Angie Jones was a shy, quiet student here many years ago; she is now the director of leadership training at LT. I was recently on a trip with her as she trained youth workers in Latin America; I was proud and amazed at her wisdom.  Eric was a young man that came to LT as a punk-troublemaker; who only wanted to use the trip to get away from his responsibilities. He went on four trips with us and spent a great deal of time with me. Today he is in a leadership position fighting for government funds for third world countries.  The best part about serving here is being able to witness the transformational change in students.

Personal Blog
http://doug.leadertreks.com/