About Us
The YouthNet Commission exists to assist churches in developing "Great Commission" youth ministries.
This is accomplished through:
- Providing training
- Stimulating model youth ministries
- Researching and evaluating
- Creating prayer support and visionary thinking
- Creating an effective communication network Stimulating care and spiritual accountability among youth workers
Ken Matteson, YouthNet Liaison with Reach Out Ministries & Youth Pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Waterloo, Iowa, writes an article about linking parents to your youth ministry using Reach-Out Ministry materials.
YouthNet at the last meeting
(Not pictured Koreem Mack and Ken Matteson)
Brad Deetscreek is a graduate of Cedarville College and Grace Theological Seminary. He is on the staff of Grace Church, North Campus, in Akron, Ohio. Prior to that he ministered at the Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, PA. He is married to Tara. They have two sons. Contact Brad at bdeetscreek@graceohio.org for help in the areas of:
- Recruiting youth worker volunteers
- effectively communicating with object lessons
- Bible study tools
Bob Hetzler has been involved with CE National for many years through Operation Barnabas and Momentum youth conference. Bob has a Masters Degree from Grace Seminary and served on staff at Grace College for six year. He does seminars on Millennial/Gen Y Youth Culture and on the Emerging Church Movement. He lives in the Southern California area. Contact Bob at calibobble@yahoo.com for help in areas of:
- Developing networking ministries
- Consulting and evaluating youth & young adult ministries
- Teaching/training in leadership development
Ed Lewis is the Executive Director of CE National, Inc. and leads the YouthNet Cabinet. Contact Ed at Edlewis@cenational.org for help in recommending people who can assist in areas of youth ministry. Ed lives in Winona Lake, Indiana where CE National is headquartered.
Ken Matteson is the youth pastor of the Waterloo Grace Brethren Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Contact Ken at kmatteson@mchsi.com for help in the areas of:
- Recruiting youth worker volunteers
- Planning retreats
- Staff relations
- Balancing youth ministry and home life
- Getting parents involved in youth ministry
- Discipling, counseling and implementing Jesus Focused Youth Ministry. Read an article by Ken about Jesus Focused Youth Ministry.
Michael Saldivar graduated from Grace College and is working on his Masters from Grace Theological Seminary. He currently ministers at the LaLoma Grace Brethren Church in Modesto, CA. He is married to Margaret and they have one daughter, Caroline. Contact Michael at mrsaldivar@hotmail.com
for help in the areas of:
- Working with a youth network in your city
- Working with family issues/counseling
- Dealing with students from broken homes
Joe Caruso is the youth pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Doylestown, Ohio. Contact Joe at joeyouthpastor@gmail.com
for help in the areas of:
- Building lessons
- Thematics for meetings (carrying a them strongly through multiple weeks)
- Having purpose-driven events/meetings (nothing to do with Rick Warren :) )
Adam Johnson is the youth director at the Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church in Meyersdale, PA. Contact Adam at AdamJ1979@gmail.com
for help in the areas of:
- Discipleship-Getting Program's Started
- Bridging the age gaps in the congregation
Dave Nicodemus is Youth Pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus in Worthington, Ohio. Contact Dave at david.nicodemus@gracebrethren.org
for help in the areas of:
- Working with a Christian School
- Mentoring & Discipleship
- Student/parent relationships
Rich Yauger is Youth Paster at Grace Community Church in Goshen, Indiana. Rich is available to help in areas of:
- Staff relations
- Counseling
- Balancing ministry and home life
Koreem Mack, from Clinton, Maryland, Grace Brethren Church works with the youth there.