Not Normal, But Obedient
How Training and Support Are Multiplying Through Leaders Like Giselle
Picture this: a six-year-old girl from Queens sitting in a courtroom, watching as a judge decides her fathers fate—a transformed man who had just given his life to Christ. That little girl prayed with a faith that defied her circumstances. The judge saw the dramatic change in her father's life and ruled in his favor.
That young girl, Giselle, grew up to oversee youth ministry for 500 churches, equipping over 400 leaders, and impacting approximately 3,000 young people across the Spanish Eastern District Youth Ministry (SEDUTH).
The Ripple Effect of Equipped Leadership
This is the multiplication effect that happens when youth workers receive the training and support they need. When one leader like Giselle is equipped, the impact doesn't stop with her. It creates a ripple effect that reaches hundreds of churches and thousands of young lives.
Giselle's journey from starting a Christian club at 15 in her performing arts high school to leading an entire district demonstrates what's possible when called leaders receive the support and training they need. But her path wasn't always easy.
Called to Be Different, Not Normal
When it came time for college, Giselle had earned her place at a prestigious university. But God redirected her to a small Christian college. She wrestled with the decision, questioning why she couldn't do something "normal" for once.
The Lord rebuked me, saying, 'I didn't call you to be normal, I called you to be obedient.' The conviction was so strong that I cancelled my enrollment and went to the Christian college.
That obedience positioned her for everything that would follow. For over a decade, Giselle has served faithfully, never asking for positions but simply loving to serve people while loving the Lord. Today, she has been appointed as District Youth Director for SEDUTH, a role she's held for three years.
The Safe Space She Never Knew She Needed
Despite her experience, Giselle felt something was missing. A friend who had completed UYWI's Certification Program kept telling her how transformative it was. The friend was so convinced of its value that she even helped sponsor Giselle's participation.
What Giselle discovered changed everything. The UYWI Certification Program became the safe space she didn't even know she desperately needed.
I had been leading in youth ministry for over 10 years, but I never really had someone sit down and talk about the difficult things. A place to say it's hard to do this sometimes. I was assumed to be able to lead youth because I was young, but for many leaders that's not always the case.
Through the UYWI Certification Program, Giselle learned to develop comprehensive mission action plans, intentionally equip the leaders under her care and value the measure of success to include numbers and attendance. She discovered that successful leadership isn't about winging it—it's about aligning with God's vision and having a strategic compass to follow.
One Life Multiplied
The impact of Giselle's training extends far beyond her own growth. She shared the story of a young woman at one of her first events who struggled with severe anxiety, questioned her worth, and was walking through a depressive season. During an altar call that extended past one in the morning because of God's powerful presence, this young woman broke down and surrendered her life to Christ.
But Giselle didn't stop there. She practiced a relational, discipleship-focused ministry, conducting regular heart checks and walking alongside this young woman. Today, that same teenager serves as a leader on her own church's leadership team and is impacting other young people for Christ.
This is just one story among thousands. Giselle's district has expanded its impact from an event-driven ministry to genuine presence in local churches, reaching individual youth with life-transforming truth.
I love to serve, I love the Lord, and the Lord loves young people. If the Lord can reach a young person through my leadership, that's the greatest honor. It can transform their future.
The Power of Multiplication
When UYWI is able to invest in leaders like Giselle, we are doing more than training one person. We are creating safe spaces for leaders to grow, providing resources that transform event-driven ministry into life-changing discipleship, and ensuring that the next generation has equipped and trained leaders who know they're not alone.
Giselle's vision is that every leader in her district would have the opportunity to go through UYWI's Certification Program.
Think about it: at least 400 leaders, representing approximately 500 churches, each investing in countless young people. The multiplication potential is staggering. This is what happens when youth workers receive the training, support, and community they need to thrive.
Stories like Jose and Mayra's don't happen by accident. They happen when passionate leaders receive proven training and ongoing support.
UYWI's programs—from the foundational UYWI Certification Program to the transformative Whole Life Discipleship curriculum—provide more than just theory. They provide practical tools, essential networking, and sustainable frameworks that help youth workers not just survive but thrive.
The proof is in Long Island, where 42 students are being discipled every week. It's in the young woman who keeps reaching back despite her family's opposition. It's in the recent surge of students hungry for God's Word. It's in the six leaders being raised up for the next generation of ministry.
Join the Movement
Our year-end goal is to raise $750,000 so that we can train 500 additional urban youth leaders in 2025 to reach and disciple more youth with the Gospel. At just $1,500 per leader, your gift directly champions leaders like Christopher who are rebuilding ministries, developing disciples, and expanding Kingdom impact in urban communities across the nation.
Please join us by making a year-end contribution at uywi.org/donate. Your generosity will not only transform individual leaders like Christopher but will also multiply Gospel impact across entire communities as these leaders develop the next generation of urban ministry champions.
When you champion a leader, you’re fueling a movement that extends far beyond what you can see.
Champion a Leader. Fuel the Gospel. Build the Future.
Bless you,
TOMMY NIXON, CEO
Urban Youth Workers Institute
Learn More: Training one leader can impact hundreds of churches and thousands of lives. That's the power of multiplication. To learn more about supporting youth worker development, visit uywi.org/donate.