Chair, Youth Ministry Department
Phone: 916.577.2268
Email: lchristie@jessup.edu
Les was born in Liverpool, England, but has lived in California since he was 5. He is married to Gretchen and they have two grown sons Brent and David. Les has been in youth ministry for 40 years.
Expertise
Les has spoken in: 48 states, 13 foreign countries, 25 Christian colleges, seminaries and universities. He has also spoken to 34 denominational groups, a quarter million volunteers, a million teens and parents.
Topics covered:
Understanding Your Teenager
Tapping Into The Creativity Within You
When Church Kids Go Bad: Working With Rude, Obnoxious and Apathetic Kids
Creative Play – Incredibly Hot Games and Community Builders
Organizing Your Life and Ministry
Preparing and Presenting Great Talks
Getting Teenagers Talking: Small Discussion Groups
Getting Published
Retreats and Camps
Developing Leadership In Youth
Education
D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School - 2002
M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary - 1974
B.S., Pacific Christian College - 1971
Santa Monica City College
Long Beach City College
Courses Taught
YMIN175: Youth Ministry Skills
YMIN283: Youth Culture, Trends and Issues
COMM 320: Creative Communication
CEDU391: Christian Education of Youth
YMIN475: Youth Ministry Internship
YMIN463: Philosophy of Youth Ministry
NT408: The Gospel of John
Publications
Over 100 articles in national magazines including:
"Straight" (Standard Publishing)
"Restoration Herald" (Christian Church)
"Insight" (Campus Crusade)
"Journal of Christian Resources" (Christ in Youth)
"Serve" (Success with Youth)
"Youthletter" (Evangelical Ministerial)
"Youth Worker" (Youth Specialties)
"Ideasheet" (Scripture Press)
"Christian Standard" (Standard Publishing)
"Wittenberg Door" (Youth Specialties)
"Innovations" (David C. Cook)
"Campus Life Magazine" (Campus Life/Youth for Christ)
"Group Magazine" (Group Books, four cover stories)
"Ideas" (Youth Specialties)
More than a dozen articles published in the following online magazines:
Barefoot Ministries
E Youth Worker Journal
The Source For YM
Books Published:
"Servant-Leaders in the Making", by Scripture Press, 1983
"Dating and Waiting", by Standard Publishing, 1983
"Getting a Grip on Time Management", by Scripture Press Publishing, 1984
"Unsung Heroes: Volunteers in Youth Ministry", by Zondervan, 1987
"When You Have to Draw The Line: Positive Discipline With Youth", by Victor Books, 1988
"How to Recruit and Train Volunteer Youth Workers", by Zondervan, 1992
"Publicity and Promotion of Youth Groups", by Zondervan, 1994
"Working With Rude, Obnoxious and Apathetic Kids", by Scripture Press, 1994
"What If . . .", by Zondervan, 1996
"Take The Journey", by College Press , 1997
"Have You Ever...?" by Zondervan, 1998
"Unfinished Sentences", by Zondervan, 2000
"Best-Ever Games For Youth Ministry", by Group, June, 2005
"Gimme Five...", by Zondervan, 2006
"Awaken Your Creativity" by Zondervan, 2009
Books Co-Authored, Contributed to:
"Youth Ministry in the 80's," by Standard Publishing, 1981
"Good Stuff, Volume One," by Standard Publishing, 1985
"Complete Book of Youth Ministry," by Moody Press, 1987
"Hot Topics Youth Electives: TV and Movies,", by David C. Cook, 1989
"When Kids are Touched by Crisis," by David C. Cook, 1991
"Basic Training Custom Curriculum," by David C. Cook, 1993
"Hormone Helper Custom Curriculum," by David C. Cook, 1993
"You've Got Style Custom Curriculum," by David C. Cook, 1993
"Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks," by Zondervan, 1994
"More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks," by Zondervan, 1996
"Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks," by Zondervan, 1999
"Josh McDowell’s Youth Ministry Handbook," by Word Publishing, 2000
"The CORE Realities of Youth Ministry," by Zondervan, 2004
"A Youth Workers Commentary on John," Volume One by Zondervan, 2011
Awards & Honors
Alumni of the Year: Hope International University, 1983 and 1989
Who’s Who among American College Teachers for 2002 and 2004
Youth Ministry Hall of Fame, 2003
Associations, Board & Committees
Member: Association of Youth Ministry Educators (founding member 1994)
