ABOUT MARATHON YOUTH MINISTRY

CHANGING THE STORY OF LAY MINISTRY

Marathon Youth Ministry helps Catholic youth ministry leaders, parishes, and dioceses build ministry that lasts. Through coaching, cohorts, and practical resources, we help leaders rediscover the joy of ministry and grow into healthy, confident leadership.

FOUNDED IN 2016 · SERVING PARISHES AND DIOCESES NATIONWIDE

WHY WE EXIST

In early 2016, I hit rock bottom. I was leading a thriving youth ministry, and I was completely burned out. I had become too concerned with how the ministry's success reflected on my own value, and I needed time away to understand why something I loved was causing me so much pain. Through prayer and the support of many people, the answer became clear: my identity was not rooted in God, but in the ministry I oversaw.

Marathon Youth Ministry was founded out of that experience. We help ministry leaders recognize both the joy and the difficulty of leading in the Church, so they can build the habits, systems, and structures to serve for the long haul.

— CHRISTOPHER WESLEY

MY IDENTITY WAS NOT ROOTED IN GOD, BUT IN THE MINISTRY I OVERSAW.

WHO'S BEHIND MYM

Christopher Wesley, Executive Director, Marathon Youth Ministry

Christopher Wesley

Executive Director

Christopher Wesley has served in Catholic ministry for more than 20 years. He holds an MA in Pastoral Theology and is the author of Rebuilding Youth Ministry and Rebuilding Confirmation from Ave Maria Press. He has spoken at the National Catholic Youth Conference and the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, served on the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry's strategic planning team, and hosts The Church Podcast on the NFCYM Podcast Network.

OUR TEAM

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    Kim Manning

    Executive Assistant

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    Cameron Fidler

    Coordinator of M2GO and Online Community

  • Carlos Perez

    Carlos Perez

    Merchandise and Brand Ambassador

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    Noelle Buchko

    Project Manager

ADVISORY BOARD

  • Nick Stein
  • Mitch Shin
  • Kristen Fisher
  • Sean McElroy
  • Kurt Lalomia

WHO WE SERVE ALONGSIDE

As Marathon Youth Ministry grows, we look for ways to advocate for and support other organizations serving the Church.

PARTNERS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
  • NFCYM Podcast Network
  • TENx10

ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE SERVED

  • McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Archdiocese of Philadelphia
  • Diocese of Bridgeport
  • Diocese of Greensburg
  • Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
  • YDisciple (Seasons curriculum)

  • Chris and the team at M2Go truly see the big picture and help ministers go from a crazed out/frenzied/maintenance mode to see the big picture in parish life and ministry... Ministry2Go allows the minister to minister to him/herself in real time while truly ministering to and with others.

    John Schmitt M2GO subscriber, Wausau, WI

  • Chris and MYM are innovators in the field of youth ministry. They are not only a great resource but mentors. It is wonderful that I am able to set up an appointment with Chris with ease and flexibility.

    Jim Flanagan youth minister of almost 32 years, Norwood, MA

  • It's practical. You can tell the wisdom comes from someone who lived and worked in a parish setting (big and small), so I find it relatable and applicable to my reality.

    Colm Leyne M2GO subscriber, Saskatchewan, Canada

  • This cohort gave me the opportunity to really delve into what it means to be an effective pastoral leader. Through exercises and materials, they shared practical tools to help me establish an effective leadership style. I do believe that without this cohort, I would have burned out of ministry!

    Amy Rohan Pastoral Associate Cohort participant, Hagerstown, MD

HOW WE WORK

  • COACHING

    One-on-one leadership coaching that helps ministry leaders and diocesan staff grow into healthy, confident leadership.

    Explore coaching

  • COHORTS

    Guided peer cohorts, offered in partnership with dioceses, where leaders grow together.

    Explore cohorts

  • CONTENT

    Practical tools and resources, including the M2GO toolkit and the Ministry Coach 2.0 AI coaching tool.

    Explore resources

A LAY APOSTOLATE

Marathon Youth Ministry is a lay-founded company that serves the Catholic Church by caring for those who minister to young people. Rooted in the Catholic faith and faithful to the teaching of the Church, we accompany parish and diocesan leaders through coaching, cohorts, and content, so that they can sustain their vocation, grow in holiness, and form young people as missionary disciples. We work in communion with the pastors and bishops we serve, and we understand our business as a lay apostolate: an effort to bring the Gospel to bear on how ministry leaders are formed, supported, and renewed.

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FIND YOUR NEXT STEP

FOR YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS

Get practical tools and coaching support you can use this week.

Explore M2GO Try Ministry Coach 2.0

FOR PARISH AND DIOCESAN LEADERS

Let's talk about what your leaders need and how MYM can help.

Schedule a discovery call

Questions? Email questions@marathonyouthministry.com