About Us

We save you time & money by creating curriculum and resources to help you point students to Jesus.

If you have an issue with an order, accessing your downloads, or any other questions, please contact Nancy at support@ministrytoyouth.com.

What makes our preteen curriculum unique?

Here are 5 important qualities of preteens that make them unique. All of them are foundational to our curriculum:

1) Preteens are beginning to think for themselves.

They question what they’ve always accepted as truth and see things from a different angle. They begin to question their faith, and maybe even experience some doubt on certain truths they have previously believed to be true.

This is actually a good thing. They need opportunities to hash out their questions and doubts.

2) Preteens are in transition from childhood to adolescence.

They’re no longer kids and not quite teenagers. They’re in a constant state of change and transition.

Preteens are undergoing massive amount of changes in all areas of their lives: cognitively, physically, socially, spiritually, and emotionally.

They’re literally morphing into adolescence.

They think differently than younger kids. Their bodies are undergoing rapid growth (organs, bones, brain, etc.). Friends become a priority. They’re able to “own” for themselves a relationship with God.

3) Preteens want to “own” their relationship with Jesus.

Yes, it is possible for preteens to “own” their relationship with Jesus. They’re ready and willing!

They’re capable of: – Taking steps to nurture a relationship with God on their own. – Paying attention to what God is doing in and around them. – Developing habits like prayer, worship, Bible reading, etc.

Our job as ministry leaders is to create an environment for God to move in the lives of preteens. Our job is to help them “own” a real vibrant relationship with Jesus.

In the preteen years, your role is more like a coach rather than a teacher.

4) Your role is similar to a coach rather than a teacher.  

A coach gives guidance, encouragement and equips you to succeed in the game. But ultimately, the coach sits on the sidelines while the players are in the game.

A teacher communicates information to his/her students with the goal of them “getting it”.

Most preteen ministry leaders think their role is to be a teacher. That’s not the case.

We’re not saying to avoid teaching preteens. A coach does “teach” his players. You should teach preteens about God, the Bible, and Jesus.

But a coach helps his players put into action what he/she teaches. That’s the ultimate goal. Players will take what the coach taught, and then do it.

Usually, it’s not done right the first time. It takes a little more guidance from the coach and practice from the player.

The same is true in preteen ministry.

As you give students opportunities to pray, hear God’s voice, share their faith with friends, worship….

…they might not be perfect at it.

But the more they do it and get encouragement from leaders, the more natural it will become.

5) Preteens learn by doing.

Preteens learn by doing, not just listening to a message

Preteens love to play active games, participate in hands on activities that are “cool”, and need to be a part of the learning process from beginning to end.

Our preteen curriculum is loaded with fun games and hands on activities appropriate for preteens.

Statement of Faith

View our statement of faith here

Have a Question? – Get answers to commonly asked questions

View our FAQ page for a list of answers to the most commonly asked questions. Seriously, odds are that your question is answered here. Go here first before contacting us directly.

NICK DILIBERTO AND MINISTRY TO YOUTH

ministry to youth team photo Hi, I’m Nick Diliberto, the creator of Ministry to Youth – Preteen.

After about 9 years of being a children’s/preteen pastor, I launched this website to provide creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministries around the world.

At that time, there was a huge need for preteen ministry resources.

I felt like most of the preteen curriculum out there was either too young or old for preteens.

So, I recruited an amazing team of writers/editors and decided to publish our own curriculum. And boy, did things take off!

After launching the website, I continued to work full-time as a Children’s/Preteen Pastor for about 5 more years. Then, in June of 2012, I jumped into doing leading Ministry to Youth – Preteen full-time. Since then I’ve launched multiple  other websites that create kids, junior high and youth ministry curriculum.

I currently live just outside New Orleans in Mandeville, LA. (P.S. – We’re all HUGE Saints fans…and LOVE beignets, which are like extra sugary donuts on steroids.)

We exist to provide tools for those leading in preteen ministry. It is our goal to put practical resources in your hands that are proven to be effective.

This website is WAY bigger than me. We’ve got a diverse team of writers, editors, graphic designers and more that keep everything running smoothly.

ABOUT MINISTRY TO YOUTH:

Ministry to Youth is a collection of church ministry websites focused on creating lessons and games for kids through high school ministry. Our websites include:

ABOUT NICK:

  • Creator of Ministry to Youth
  • 18+ years experience of church ministry leadership (12+ years in preteen ministry)
  • Christian Ministry Degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
  • Although Nick with to a baptist seminary, he is not Baptist and has served at multiple non-denominational churches over the years.
  • Bald, ain’t got no rhythm, and a bit crazy and weird at times (yes…I have a wild side!).
  • Married to Jena and dad to Ethan, Joey and Emma.

Our Core Team

  • Kaeli Hearn is our graphic design queen. She also happens to be a musical genius and often leads youth worship.
  • Nick Diliberto is the Founder of Ministry to Youth and has over 20 years of experience in youth and kid’s ministry.
  • Christie Duoos is our operations guru. She’s also a rockstar youth group volunteer at her church.
  • Annie Snyder (not pictured) is our content coordinator and editor (content@ministrytoyouth.com)
  • Nancy Lococo (not pictured) is our customer service ace (support@ministrytoyouth.com)

We’ve also got a diverse and ever-changing team of writers, editors, graphic designers and more that make everything else tick.