Dietrich Kirk
Executive Director“Deech” Kirk has been in youth ministry for 25+ years. He served as the youth minister of Brentwood United Methodist Church for six years before becoming the Executive Director of the CYMT in 2006. He has a Master of Art in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary. He is the author of Raising Teens in an Almost Christian World: A Parent’s Guide and one of the co-authors of Now What? Next Steps in Your New Life with Christ.
Deech’s Work At CYMT
I lead CYMT with the help of our amazing staff and board. I am responsible for overseeing the administration and strategic plan of the organization. What do I really do? I answer questions.
Lesleigh Carmichael
Graduate Residency Senior DirectorLesleigh holds a B.S. from Auburn University and a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Lesleigh oversees the national coaching, care, church and practicum components. She has been with CYMT from the beginning and was part of the original staff in launching CYMT. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Lesleigh also serves as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects.
Lesleigh’s Work At CYMT
I oversee the national coaching, care, church and practicum components of our Graduate Residency Program.
Kris Konsowitz
Coaching DirectorKris has over 35+ years of experience in youth ministry. Her ministry experience includes serving as the Youth Minister at Collierville UMC in Tennessee. Kris has experience serving in youth ministry at the local, conference, jurisdictional and national level of the United Methodist Church. Kris served as the Director for Young People in Mission for 13 years and served on the ministry team with Breakthru for 26 years.
Kris and her husband Bob are originally from Pennsylvania but following three cross country moves they have lived in Collierville, TN for 30 years. Kris and her husband are the parents to three adults children and their spouses and also have three young grandsons. Kris enjoys, reading, traveling, the beach, and time with her family and friends.
Kris’ Work At CYMT
I oversee the Southeast coaching and graduate residents and lend support during the Southeast intensives. I also serve on the recruiting team by recruiting future graduate residents and new churches for the Southeast.
Lindsay Brooks
Operations DirectorLindsay holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from Clemson University and a Masters in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary through CYMT. She served in full time youth ministry for 12 years before joining the CYMT staff. She loves to cheer on the Clemson Tigers, run outside, drink coffee, and spend time with her family.
Lindsay’s Work At CYMT
I provide operational management to the board and staff and logistical support to all of CYMT’s ministries. I work to find ways for all of our ministries to increase in efficiency and effectiveness.
Linwood Hawkins Jr
Strategic Marketing DirectorLinwood is a longtime resident of Nashville, Tennessee. He received a BFA in graphic design from Austin Peay State University, where he was a part of the prestigious Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Linwood brings a wealth of experience acquired through years as an advertising executive. He has consulted with local, national, and global organizations throughout his long marketing career.
Linwood is the husband of Alvesia Wilson-Hawkins, father of Amiri and Imani, and grandfather of Kennedy.
Linwood’s Work At CYMT
As the Strategic Marketing Director, I’m tasked with raising the market awareness of CYMT’s services, initiatives, and products.
Elise Burns
Admissions and Academic Services DirectorElise holds a B.S. from the University of Miami and a Masters from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Before CYMT, she worked for Metro Nashville Public Schools. She enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband Scott, and three children- Wren, Knox, and Eden.
Elise’s Work at CYMT
I support graduate residents from their initial application through their graduation day. I evaluate and encourage all applicants for our graduate residency program. After residents are accepted, I provide them academic guidance and resources as they pursue their Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry degrees.
Michael Hurst
Director of Donor EngagementMichael is a married father of three girls. He previously served on the local Nashville CYMT Board and has many fond memories of his youth group at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Michael has traveled the country in his business development career and is excited to be able to contribute his relationship building skills with CYMT.
Michael’s Work At CYMT
Michael is currently directing the donor engagement space of CYMT. He is interested in sharing the CYMT “story” and connecting with others that believe in the mission.
Roberta Rezendes
Finance/HR DirectorRoberta attended Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, where she received her degree in Accounting. She has worked in the accounting field for more than 30 years, since 1990. In 2013, she moved from Florida to Nashville. Roberta has three sons and one granddaughter, and she loves reading, sports, hiking, and her three dogs.
Roberta’s Work at CYMT
I am in charge of the finances, HR, and helping with Bloomerang.
Tiffany Malone
Recruiting CoordinatorTiffany has spent 9 years working as a Youth Minister and she is an alumni of CYMT. Tiffany is passionate about helping build strong Youth Ministries that provide places for youth to grow and belong. She believes in the mission of CYMT because she believes that CYMT helps churches build sustainable youth ministries and empowers Youth Ministers to live out one’s calling.
Tiffany’s Work At CYMT
I am responsible for recruiting new residents and assisting churches in the partner church application process.
Lisa Vegors
Nashville/SE Area CoordinatorLisa has over 21 years of experience in youth ministry in Catholic and UMC churches. Lisa graduated from Vanderbilt with a Masters in Theological Studies and founded and organized “Servio Deo” a Bay St. Louis, MS, ministry trip with 290+ teens and chaperones in 2012. Lisa has a lot of leadership and ministry experience in a variety of intercultural contexts. Overall, Lisa hopes to bring teens, their families, and youth ministry volunteers closer to Christ and aims to help develop infrastructure within the Church to sustain long-term healthy youth ministry.
She is the wife to Josh, and they have four amazing boys, Clark, Elijah, Jonah Patch, and Graceson.
Lisa’s Work At CYMT
I oversee and care for the Residents and coaches in the Southeast and work to recruit new residents and partner ministries for CYMT.
Christina Moore
San Antonio/TX Area CoordinatorChristina has been involved in youth ministry for fifteen years as a volunteer and a paid youth minister. She has been at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church for five years and graduated from CYMT with a MAYM degree from Austin seminary in 2020. When she has free time, she loves spending time outdoors, doing puzzles, and watching any and all sporting events.
Christina’s Work at CYMT
I oversee and care for the Residents and coaches in the San Antonio, Texas area and work to recruit new residents and partner ministries for CYMT.
Anastasia Pumphrey
Digital Communications CoordinatorAnastasia holds a B.A. in Communication from Stonehill College with a particular interest in graphic design and social media. She is from Rockland, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, and has recently relocated to Nashville to pursue her career in digital communications south of New England. She loves to write stories, roller skate, play guitar, and has a passion for creativity in both her professional and person life.
Jonathan Hobbs
Philadelphia Area CoordinatorJonathan has worked in professional ministry for almost 25 years, including churches in New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. He has spoken for multiple camps and retreats around the country. He co-authored Don’t Do This, which is full of youth ministry failure stories and what we can learn from them. He contributed to Youth Ministry in This Season of Disruption and regularly contributes to the Youth Specialties blog. Jonathan grew up in Eagleville, Pennsylvania.
Jonathan can skillfully juggle two balls and does a halfway decent impression of Kermit the Frog. Jonathan and his wife Carolyn live just outside of Philadelphia, PA with their two beautiful daughters, Kaylin and Julia.
Jonathan’s Work at CYMT
I oversee and care for the Residents and coaches in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and work to recruit new residents and partner ministries for CYMT.
Nick Guerra
Memphis Area CoordinatorNick is an alumni of CYMT and is the Director of Student Ministries at Heartsong UMC in Cordova, TN. He has been at Heartsong, serving youth and families in different roles, for the past 11 years. Nick felt a call to ministry while receiving degree in Sociology from the University of Memphis. While there, he became passionate about helping people find the sweet spot where their passions and what God is already up to in the world intersect. Where he found this for himself was youth ministry. Newly-wed, he and his wife live in the greater Memphis area with their dog Jack.
Nick’s Work At CYMT
I oversee and care for the Residents and coaches in the West Tennessee, North Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky area and work to recruit new residents and partner ministries for CYMT.
Meghan Dever
Austin Area CoordinatorMeghan is a graduate of Baylor University with a BA in Radio, Television, and Film, and is currently seeking her Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. Meghan has a passion for working with youth and making sure they are provided with a safe and inclusive space to learn about and share God’s love. She currently serves as the Youth Ministries Director at United Christian Church of Austin. Meghan is the mother of two teenage boys and one feisty rescue dog. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys hiking with her kids, baking bread, and playing board games.
Meghan’s Work At CYMT
I oversee and care for the Residents and coaches in the Austin, Texas area and work to recruit new residents and partner ministries for CYMT.
Mark Devries
Co-FounderFor over 20 years, Mark has served as Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families at First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn., where he continues to oversee the youth ministry on a part-time basis. Additionally, Mark is the founder of Youth Ministry Architects, a hands-on coaching service for churches whose youth ministries are in transition (intentional or unexpected) or churches who hope to see their youth ministries move to the next level. He is also the author of Family Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry.
Dietrich Kirk
Executive Director“Deech” Kirk has been in youth ministry for 25+ years. He served as the youth minister of Brentwood United Methodist Church for six years before becoming the Executive Director of the CYMT in 2006. He has a Master of Art in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary. He is the author of Raising Teens in an Almost Christian World: A Parent’s Guide and one of the co-authors of Now What? Next Steps in Your New Life with Christ.
Deech’s Work At CYMT
I lead CYMT with the help of our amazing staff and board. I am responsible for overseeing the administration and strategic plan of the organization. What do I really do? I answer questions.
Dr. Andrew Zirschky
Professor & CYMT Initiatives ConsultantAndrew has more than 20 years of congregational youth ministry experience and holds an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of Beyond the Screen: Youth Ministry for the Connected but Alone Generation and Teaching Outside the Box: Five Approaches to Opening the Bible with Youth. As the father of two adolescents, he has both a passion and vested interest in helping students creatively re-imagine youth ministry for a new generation.
Andrew’s Work At CYMT
I am a professor at CYMT’s partner seminary, Austin Seminary, and am Intiative Consultant for CYMT’s Innovation Laboratory. I help develop new ideas and direction for the lab and its participants.
Meghan Hatcher
Innovation Laboratory DirectorMeghan holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Master of Science in Sustainable Development & Applied Sociology from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Divinity with a specialization in community engagement from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. The thread that runs throughout Meghan’s academic and professional experiences is the power of story to knit communities together around a collective vision. Meghan has 12 years of experience serving rural, urban, and suburban congregational settings in the areas of pastoral leadership, youth ministry, new church development, and community engagement. She has a passion for reaching young people, revitalizing churches, and helping everyone find their place in God’s Big Story. Meghan lives in Austin with her husband Corey.
Meghan’s Work At CYMT
I direct the strategic and programmatic aspects of the Innovation Laboratory. I also establish partnerships with churches and organizations, coach participants through the Lab’s cohorts, and guide the development and dissemination of resources related to the Lab’s learnings.
Lindsay Brooks
Operations DirectorLindsay holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from Clemson University and a Masters in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary through CYMT. She served in full time youth ministry for 12 years before joining the CYMT staff. She loves to cheer on the Clemson Tigers, run outside, drink coffee, and spend time with her family.
Lindsay’s Work At CYMT
I provide operational management to the board and staff and logistical support to all of CYMT’s ministries. I work to find ways for all of our ministries to increase in efficiency and effectiveness.
Bryan Bliss
Resource DirectorBryan Bliss has worked in youth ministry for twenty years. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, the creative writing program at Seattle Pacific University, and is currently finishing a doctorate degree at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a focus on public theology. When he’s not in school or cleaning up after youth group, he is the author of four young adult novel and one nonfiction book. He lives in St. Paul, MN with his wife and two children.
Bryan’s Work at CYMT
Bryan oversees the development of resources for all the Center for Youth Ministry Training programs with an emphasis on our Theology Together program. He also provides resource direction and enacts implementation strategies that create resources for the CYMT community, larger youth ministry community, and communities of faith.
Rev. Dr. David White
Professor of Christian Education & Youth MinistryRev. Dr. David White joined the faculty of Austin Theological Presbyterian Seminary in 2005. Prior to his appointment, he was Visiting Assistant Professor of Youth and Education and Associate Director of Research for the Youth Theological Initiative at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1997-2002 he was executive director of the Youth Discipleship Project at Claremont School of Theology, a research project exploring alternative approaches to work with youth and with congregational discernment. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Bethany Theological Seminary, the Claremont School of Theology, and Columbia Theological Seminary. Ordained in the United Methodist Church, White served United Methodist churches across the country.
His publications include Dreamcare: A Theology of Youth, Spirit, and Vocation (Cascade, 2013), Awakening Youth Discipleship in a Consumer Culture (Cascade, 2007, coauthored with Brian Mahan and Michael Warren), Practicing Discernment with Youth (Pilgrim Press, 2005), and his newest book, Joy: A Guide for Youth Ministry (2020).
Dr. Andrew Zirschky
Professor & CYMT Initiatives ConsultantAndrew has more than 20 years of congregational youth ministry experience and holds an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of Beyond the Screen: Youth Ministry for the Connected but Alone Generation and Teaching Outside the Box: Five Approaches to Opening the Bible with Youth. As the father of two adolescents, he has both a passion and vested interest in helping students creatively re-imagine youth ministry for a new generation.
Andrew’s Work At CYMT
I am a professor at CYMT’s partner seminary, Austin Seminary, and am Intiative Consultant for CYMT’s Innovation Laboratory. I help develop new ideas and direction for the lab and its participants.