Reading Challenge

Are you eager to enhance your reading habits while staying connected to the latest trends in children's, youth, and family ministry?

Introducing our

’Growing Young Disciples Reading Challenge‘

Immerse yourself in eight captivating books over the year, with each month dedicated to a new exploration. Take the opportunity to indulge in a month-long deep dive into each book’s insights, then come together with fellow participants for engaging 90-minute discussions on Zoom. It’s not just about reading—it’s about fostering reflection and community in the pursuit of ministry excellence. Join us on this enriching journey of learning and growth!

Here are the books and dates for 2026:
Book 1

Spiritual Game Plan

Graham Daniels and Johnny Reid

28 January

1–2.30pm

Book 2

Caring for the Souls of Children

Amy Baker

11 March

1–2.30pm

Book 3

The Anxious Generation Goes to Church

Thom S. Rainer

15 April

1–2.30pm

Book 4

Accessible Church

Sandra Peoples

13 May

1–2.30pm

Book 5

Teenagers and Mental Health

Monica Kim

17 June

1–2.30pm

Book 6

Scrolling Ourselves to Death

Brett McCracken, Ivan Mesa and Collin Hansen

TBC September

1–2.30pm

Book 7

How Church Could Literally Save Your Life

Rebecca McLaughlin

TBC October

1–2.30pm

Book 8

Good News for Parents

Adam Griffin

TBC November

1–2.30pm

Training Enquiry

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Growing Young Disciples has a threefold mandate: to train, resource, and advise…

Meet the team…

Conference 2027

4–7 January 2027.

Yarnfield Park.

Join us for a dynamic conference experience packed with inspiring speakers, practical workshops, networking opportunities and rich ministry support.

Seminary level training in children’s, youth and family ministry.

Find out more

All content © Growing Young Disciples 2026.

FAQs

The Forge is an online training and resource platform from Growing Young Disciples. It exists to strengthen and support children’s, youth, and family ministry leaders. It is more than a content library. It is a place of sharpening and growth, where gospel depth meets practical wisdom for real-life ministry.

It is for anyone involved in discipling the next generation. Whether you are a full-time youth pastor, a Sunday school volunteer, a church leader, or a parent who wants to think more deeply about gospel-shaped ministry with young people, The Forge has been built with you in mind.

You will find biblically rich training videos, downloadable resources, safeguarding templates, risk assessments, leadership tools, and teaching materials. There is also an online community space where you can connect with others, ask questions, and find encouragement.

The subscription is yearly. You can pay £200 up front, or spread the cost with monthly payments of £20. Either way, you are signing up for a one-year commitment. After that, you are free to cancel at any time.

The subscription covers your whole church team, so anyone involved in children’s, youth, or family ministry can access the training resources and downloads.

Each subscription comes with one named community member. But we know that some churches have more than one key leader involved in children’s, youth, or family ministry. That is why we offer up to three named users per church to access the Forge community area.

This allows your team to grow together without turning the space into a free-for-all. If you need more individual sign-in permissions because of a larger team or unique circumstances, just get in touch and we will sort it out for you.

No. A subscription gives access to your local church team only. Resources must not be shared, copied, or distributed to anyone outside your church. If content is shared beyond these terms, access to The Forge will be withdrawn. We take this seriously in order to protect the integrity of the platform and ensure fairness for all.

Yes. The Forge is a living platform, not a static archive. New resources are added throughout the year, including training videos, downloadable tools, and leadership materials. We are always listening to what churches need and developing fresh content in response.

Yes. This is one of the most common requests we receive. The Forge includes a growing set of short, practical training videos with built-in discussion questions and leader notes. They are ideal for use in monthly or termly team meetings.

Yes. If your church is facing a particular challenge or needs support in a specific area of ministry, we would love to hear from you. The Forge exists to serve the local church, not to replace it. We are here to help.

Yes. While the platform is built on a conservative evangelical and reformed theological foundation, it is designed to serve churches across a wide range of denominations. The resources are biblically faithful, pastorally wise, and practically adaptable.

We would be happy to show you around. Send us a message and we can arrange a preview or talk through how The Forge could serve your team.