ELCA YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORK

What ELCA YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORK does

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is a nonprofit membership organization that strengthens and empowers adult leaders in children, youth, and family ministry within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) denomination. Headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota with 6 employees, the Network serves both paid and volunteer youth ministry leaders through a two-tier membership model: a free Basic tier providing access to most website resources and a paid Plus tier with exclusive content. Its product portfolio spans the annual Extravaganza flagship conference in Minneapolis, the 3TC leadership podcast, the Connect Journal publication, the Leadership Competencies framework, the Formation Co-op collaborative learning program, the MartinsList resource directory, a salary survey, and The Accompaniment Project mentorship initiative.

The Network's technology stack is built on standard web infrastructure, including the MemberClicks membership platform and a Joomla-based website; no proprietary technology platform or AI/ML capabilities were identified. Distribution occurs through a multi-channel approach including the website portal, an active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube, email newsletters, in-person events (Extravaganza and regional Oasis gatherings), and referral partnerships with ELCA-affiliated seminaries, outdoor ministries, and service organizations. The organization maintains 16+ strategic partnerships, including core relationships with Luther Seminary, Water's Edge Ministries, NovusWay Ministries, the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network, and the Mission Investment Fund.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues and donations, with a freemium model that limits visibility into the Plus tier's pricing and uptake. The organization operates as an independent nonprofit with no disclosed parent company, venture backing, or government funding, and serves a domestic US market bounded by the ELCA's congregational footprint.

Name

ELCA YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORK

Legal name

ELCA Youth Ministry Network

Website

https://elcaymnet.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is a nonprofit membership organization that provides resources, training, and peer networking for adult leaders in children, youth, and family ministry within Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Ministry Resources

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), 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), Leadership, Character Education & Values Development (EDAMAIAG)

Keywords

• Youth ministry resources
• Ministry leadership development
• Membership network
• Religious education training
• Ministry peer community

Headquarters

HQ city

Owatonna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Organization operates primarily through membership dues with Basic (free) tier providing access to most website resources and a paid Plus tier providing additional exclusive resources.
2. Donations: Accepts donations to support the network's mission of strengthening youth ministry leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is a membership-based community organization that provides resources, training, and peer networking to adult leaders in children, youth, and family ministry within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It operates a tiered membership (Basic free, Plus paid) that unlocks access to curated resources, leadership development programs, salary survey data, job postings, and an annual flagship conference (Extravaganza), supported by partner organizations across the ELCA ecosystem.

Product overview

The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is a membership-based organization that provides resources, training, and peer networking for adult leaders in children, youth, and family ministry within the ELCA denomination. The Network operates as a single, unified membership program with two tiers (Basic and Plus), offering access to multiple integrated resources including the 3TC Podcast, Connect Journal, Leadership Competencies framework, MartinsList directory, Salary Survey data, Formation Co-op, and the annual Extravaganza conference. Additional offerings include the Open CYF Positions job board, The Accompaniment Project mentorship, resource archives, and Network Gear merchandise. The Network primarily serves Lutheran youth ministry leaders through virtual and in-person programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ELCA Youth Ministry Network Membership A community-membership program for paid and volunteer adult leaders in children, youth, and family ministry within ELCA congregations, providing access to network resources, training, peer community, and tools at two tiers (Basic free and Plus paid).
• Extravaganza Annual Conference The Network's annual flagship gathering in Minneapolis combining worship, training, and peer networking for ELCA youth ministry leaders.
• Formation Co-op Collaborative learning and spiritual formation program for youth ministry leaders in the ELCA.
• Network Gear Merchandise Branded apparel and merchandise for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, sold via the Old Lutheran store under the "Network" collection.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luther SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor seminary partner with shared mission of theological education for church leaders. Luther Seminary offers programs in Children, Youth, and Family ministry and provides resources to network members.
• YouthMinistryConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting organization committed to helping churches, parents, leaders and volunteers share Jesus with the next generation. Offers coaching, cohorts, consulting, speaking, and ministry certification programs.
• GSB FundraisingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundraising and nonprofit consulting firm serving congregations and nonprofits. Listed as a sponsor for LOM (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries) events.
• Water's Edge MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. Overseers of camp and retreat ministries including Serve Boldly youth service trip program. Core partner in outdoor ministry network.
• YouthWorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService trips organization for teenagers offering immersive service experiences that build faith, confidence, and communities. Partner organization serving youth ministry needs.
• Appalachia Service ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission trips organization providing critical home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia. Offers youth and adult volunteer opportunities.
• Service Learning CampsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService learning trip coordinator providing service experiences for youth groups at locations across the U.S. Partner for youth mission trip logistics.
• Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota (LOSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor ministry organization offering Christ-centered camp experiences at Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch, and NeSoDak. ELCA affiliated outdoor ministry.
• NovusWay MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian camps and retreats organization operating Lutheridge (NC), Lutherock (NC), and Luther Springs (FL). Major ELCA outdoor ministry network member.
• ELCA World Hunger MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry addressing hunger through domestic and international programs, grants, and advocacy. Partner in ELCA ecosystem.
• Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor ministry organization operating Carol Joy Holling Camp and Sullivan Hills Camp. ELCA affiliated outdoor ministry serving Nebraska.
• Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network (LOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association encouraging, educating, equipping, and empowering camp and retreat leadership. LOM Network provides resources, conferences, and training for member organizations.
• Interserve MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization navigating children, youth and family ministry in the changing church. Offers interim ministry staffing, coaching, learning, and consulting through the Sustainable Leadership Project.
• Gustavus Adolphus CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA-affiliated liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minnesota. Partner organization within the ELCA ecosystem supporting leadership development.
• Augsburg University (Riverside Innovation Hub)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAugsburg University in Minneapolis with Riverside Innovation Hub cultivating community relationships shaped by Jesus' reconciling love. Partner in leadership and congregational engagement.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Orange (reThink Group): Family ministry strategy and curriculum provider serving churches across denominations with training events, conferences, and content aimed at leaders of children, youth, and family ministries—a broader incumbent in the same leader-support category.
• Group Publishing: Large multi-denominational publisher of Sunday school and youth ministry curriculum, VBS programs, and training events—an incumbent that competes for the same youth-leader budget with broader, less denomination-specific content.
• Sparkhouse (1517 Media / Augsburg Fortress): ELCA-affiliated curriculum and resource publisher for children, youth, and family ministries owned by Augsburg Fortress—an incumbent within the same ELCA ecosystem competing for the same congregational budget line.

Direct peers

• Dare 2 Share Ministries: Youth evangelism and leadership training organization running conferences, curriculum, and mission-focused programs for student leaders and adult youth pastors—directly comparable audience and event-driven training model.
• LeaderTreks: Youth leadership development organization offering training events, curriculum, and mission-trip-style programs for student leaders and their adult mentors—comparable focus on equipping adult youth ministry leaders with training, events, and resources.
• Download Youth Ministry (DYM): Digital-first youth ministry content provider offering podcasts, training resources, and articles for youth workers—overlaps with ELCA YMN's 3TC Podcast and resource library serving the same youth-ministry-leader persona.
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM): Denominational membership organization supporting Catholic youth ministry leaders through training, conferences, resources, and networks—the structural Catholic parallel to the ELCA Youth Ministry Network in both model and mission.
• Vibrant Faith Ministries: Mainline Protestant organization focused on faith formation, leader coaching, and congregational renewal—closely comparable to ELCA YMN in mainline-Protestant context and adult-leader development focus.
• Youth Specialties: Long-established provider of youth ministry training events, resources, and leadership development aimed at church youth workers across denominations—directly comparable in mission, audience (professional and volunteer youth leaders), and event-based model.
• Youth Ministry Consultants: Coaching, consulting, and certification organization for children's, youth, and family ministry leaders—directly comparable professional-development offering; also a current strategic partner of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elcaymnet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/elcaymnetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/elcaymnet
• Instagraminstagram.com/elcaymnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elca-youth-ministry-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ELCA YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORK