LeaderTreks Youth Ministry

What LeaderTreks Youth Ministry does

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 by Doug Franklin, headquartered in Carol Stream, Illinois, that develops and distributes gospel-centered curriculum, training resources, and mission trip experiences for church-based youth ministries across the United States. The organization's product portfolio is organized around three pathways: Weekly Ministry (downloadable curriculum, Bible studies, small group resources, and sermon series such as the Follow Me one-year curriculum at $399, DNow Studies at $69, and the Three-Year Middle School HERD bundle at $597); Leadership Development (student journals, assessments, and 4-week series such as Gritty Leadership and Lead Like Jesus at $34.95); and Special Events (youth mission trips at $545-$595 per person across 10 US locations, Refuel Retreats capped at ~40 attendees, and DNow weekend retreats). A Hero Membership subscription layers recurring access to a toolbox, media house, and training zone on top of one-time digital and physical product sales, and tax-deductible donations accepted via Pushpay support the nonprofit's broader operations and summer staff programs.

Name

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry

Legal name

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry

Website

https://leadertreks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sells gospel-centered curriculum, training resources, and youth mission trip experiences to churches and youth pastors across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Ministry Curriculum and Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Youth ministry curriculum
• Mission trip programs
• Bible study resources
• Discipleship training
• Youth leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

Carol Stream

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Curriculum and Resource Sales: One-time purchases of downloadable curriculum, Bible studies, sermon series, student leadership materials, and mission trip resources sold through the online shop.
2. Hero Membership Subscription: Annual subscription service providing ongoing access to resources, training materials, toolbox content, media house, and training zone. Includes benefits like two free adults on LeaderTreks trips.
3. Youth Mission Trips: Churches pay to send youth groups on professionally led mission trips. Trip prices range from $545-$595 per person for various locations including Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, Dayton, Georgetown, Kentucky, Knoxville, Pawleys Island, and San Marcos.
4. Refuel Retreats: Conference-style retreats for youth workers held at various locations, with affordable pricing and discounted spouse rates. Includes training sessions, materials, and catered dinner.
5. Summer Staff Programs: Summer trip leaders and interns raise their own support (up to $6,000 for trip leaders, $1,900 plus up to $6,000 stipend for interns) to serve with LeaderTreks.
6. Donations and Giving: LeaderTreks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting tax-deductible donations. Churches, friends, and family can donate to support staff members' ministry funds or the general operational fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry is a non-profit organization that produces and sells downloadable gospel-centered curriculum, Bible studies, sermon series, and student leadership resources to churches and youth workers. The organization also operates youth mission trips at 10 US locations, hosts Refuel Retreats for youth pastors, and provides coaching and volunteer training services. Hero Membership offers an annual subscription for ongoing access to resources and member benefits.

Product overview

LeaderTreks Youth Ministry is a comprehensive youth ministry resource company offering a multi-product portfolio organized around three pathways: Weekly Ministry (curriculum and Bible studies), Leadership Development (student leadership training and resources), and Special Events (mission trips, retreats, and DNow studies). The core product is the LeaderTreks Starter Kit ($39), which bundles curriculum for new youth workers. The main curriculum lines include DNow Studies ($69 per study with multiple themes like Legit, Gravitate, Brave), one-year curriculum Follow Me ($399), and the HERD Middle School three-year bundle ($597). Mission trip resources include devotionals ($7.95-$9.95), pre-trip training (Passport and Imprint at $20 each), and the Mission Trip Sample Pack ($29). Student leadership resources span journals ($4.95-$12.95), assessments ($2-$149), and 4-week series ($34.95). The company also offers services including Youth Mission Trips at 10 locations, Refuel Retreats, RESET Coaching, and Adult Volunteer Training. A Hero Membership subscription provides ongoing access to curriculum, training materials, and member benefits including free adults on trips.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deep Discipleship: Complete Curriculum & System for Preteen & Student Ministry - a comprehensive discipleship system for student ministry
• Refuel Retreats
• DNow Studies
• HERD Middle School

Products and services

• LeaderTreks Starter Kit A comprehensive bundle for new youth workers including 4-Lesson Series for High School, Leadership Foundations Series, Volunteer Training Videos, Youth Ministry Assessment, Pre-Trip Training Curriculum, DNow Curriculum Package, Complete Leader Guides, and Ministry Planning Tools. Priced at $39.00.
• Youth Mission Trips Leader-led youth mission trips at 10 US locations spanning Beach (Georgetown SC, Pawleys Island SC), Urban Adventure Serve (Chicago IL, Kansas City MO, Memphis TN, Milwaukee WI), and Mission Ready (Dayton OH, Kentucky, Knoxville TN, San Marcos TX) programs. Trips range from $545-$595 per person and are booked through direct consultation with the trips team.
• DNow Studies High-energy, discussion-driven retreat studies designed for Disciple Now weekends. Each $69 study includes large and small group lessons, interactive student books, teaching guides, videos, slides, and promotional materials.
• Deep Discipleship A complete curriculum and system for preteen and student ministry focused on making disciples who make disciples. Priced at $595.00.
• Follow Me – One-Year Curriculum A one-year curriculum helping students discover what it really means to follow Jesus, step by step, heart first. Includes 52 downloadable lessons, parent guides, media and graphics, and experiential activities. Priced at $399.00.
• Three-Year Middle School Curriculum Bundle (HERD) Three years of curriculum designed specifically for middle school students. Includes Gear Up, Stampede, and Dive – one-year curricula with 48 lessons per year across three years. Priced at $597.00 (originally $747.00), 100% downloadable.
• Mission Trip Devotionals Devotional journals for use before, during, and after mission trips. Includes titles such as James, Rooted, Unshakeable, Unexpected, Ephesians, John the Baptist, and Nehemiah – each priced at $7.95-$9.95.
• Mission Trip Sample Pack 2026 A sample pack of mission trip resources for pre-trip, on-trip, and post-trip. Includes Pre-trip Training: Passport, James Devotional, Unshakeable Devotional, Unexpected Devotional, and Beyond the Trip Journal. Priced at $29.00 (originally $49.80).
• Leadership Journey Download A downloadable leadership development curriculum for students. Priced at $149.00.
• Refuel Retreats Small, intentional conferences that renew youth workers and spark innovation. Collaborative retreat experiences designed to change how leaders see youth ministry through guided conversations, practical insight, and intentional space for rest.
• RESET Coaching Coaching for youth workers who aren't seeing the results they hoped for—students are apathetic, momentum has stalled, and ministry feels harder than it should. Helps regain clarity, rebuild energy, and reset the direction of youth ministry.
• Adult Volunteer Training (101–301) Training programs that equip youth ministry volunteers to serve with confidence, build meaningful relationships with students, and use proven discipleship strategies that develop student leaders.
• Hero Membership Annual subscription service providing ongoing access to resources, training materials, toolbox content, media house, and training zone. Includes benefits like up to two free adult participants on LeaderTreks trips (max $1,200 total discount).

Quantifiable outcome

• Resources designed to save youth workers time and reduce overwhelm
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deep DiscipleshipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Deep Discipleship is a related platform offering comprehensive curriculum systems (Deep Discipleship System) integrated with LeaderTreks offerings. LeaderTreks links to deepdiscipleship.com and offers their Deep Discipleship curriculum ($595.00) alongside their own products. The platforms share Volunteer Team Training Series content.
• Local Hotels/Resorts (Refuel Retreat Locations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with hotels and resorts at various Refuel Retreat locations offering discounted rates for retreat attendees. Locations vary by retreat.
• Local Ministries at Trip SitescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeaderTreks partners with local and long-term ministries at each of their 10 trip locations (Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, Dayton, Georgetown, Pawleys Island, Kentucky, Knoxville, San Marcos). Students serve alongside these ministries during mission trips.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• D6 Family: D6 is a family ministry curriculum and conference platform rooted in Deuteronomy 6, serving churches with generational discipleship content. Highly comparable as a curriculum-first youth and family ministry resource company.
• Orange (The reThink Group): Orange (formerly The reThink Group) produces family- and student-ministry curriculum, including 252 Basics and XP3 Students. Directly comparable as a church-facing youth ministry resource company selling curriculum, parent resources, and ministry strategy content.
• YM360: YM360 produces student ministry Bible study curriculum, devotionals, and youth ministry training resources sold to churches. Directly comparable in customer base (church youth workers) and product category (downloadable student ministry curriculum).
• Sparkhouse (Augsburg Fortress): Sparkhouse is the youth, children, and family ministry imprint of Augsburg Fortress, producing curriculum such as Spark and Whirl sold to churches. Directly comparable as a faith-based curriculum publisher serving church youth programs.
• Echo (Student Ministry): Echo (formerly Echo Conference) is a student ministry organization offering conferences and resources for high school students and youth workers. Comparable as a peer operating in the youth ministry space with events and curriculum for the same customer base.

Emerging players

• Sticky Faith (Fuller Youth Institute): Sticky Faith is a program of Fuller Youth Institute producing research-based youth ministry resources, books, and training for churches. Comparable as an adjacent youth-ministry thought leader and resource provider, though focused more on research/training than curriculum catalog.

Broad incumbents

• David C Cook: David C Cook is a major Christian publisher and curriculum producer (Sunday school, children's, and student ministry) operating the Tru curriculum line and other church resources. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the same curriculum-for-churches category.
• Group (Group Publishing): Group Publishing is a long-established church resource company offering VBS, Sunday school, and youth ministry curriculum. Broader portfolio than LeaderTreks but overlaps directly on youth ministry curriculum sold to churches.

Others

• Simply Youth Ministry (Youth Cartel): Youth Cartel (formerly Simply Youth Ministry) provides coaching, events, and resources for youth pastors, including the SYMC conference. Comparable as an adjacent youth-ministry services provider serving the same youth worker audience.
• Parent Cue (Orange): Parent Cue is Orange's parent-engagement platform offering weekly cues, devotionals, and content for parents of students. Thematically comparable as a faith-based resource ecosystem serving the same parent/youth ministry buyer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leadertreks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/leadertreks
• Facebookfacebook.com/leadertreks
• Instagraminstagram.com/leadertreks
• Pinterestpinterest.com/leadertreks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leadertreks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LeaderTreks Youth Ministry