Entrepreneur. Youth Ministry Leader. Husband. Father. Surfer.

Successful entrepreneur for 15+ years.

20+ years of experience as a youth and children's pastor at various churches.

Married to Jena, a gnarly triathlete, for 20+ years.

Dad to 3 kids. Ethan - tattoo artist and art student at Montana State University. Joey - fashion design student in NYC. Emma - art student at CalArts.

Love to surf!

Live in Encinitas, CA

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YOUTH MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

2008 - Present: Entrepreneur

  • Founder of Ministry to Youth, a company that creates youth ministry curriculum & resources.
  • Full-time since 2012.
  • Built the company from scratch that now has 15,000+ customers from around the world.

August 2022 - Present: Staff at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, CA

  • Surge - Currently oversee a team of volunteers, coordinate the 10:45am service & lead a 5th grade small group in Surge (4th-6th grade).
  • Elevate - Currently lead a small group of 7th graders in Elevate (7th-8th grade). Have been with this group since 6th grade & am heavily invested in their lives. Occasionally teach in Elevate on Sundays.
  • Jan-July of 2023 - Interim Associate Director of Surge. Taught on Sundays, led a small group of 6th graders, coordinated winter & summer camp, led a team of volunteers, hosted events, etc. I transitioned out of this interim role when we hired someone to fill the positon long-term.
  • Aug 2022 - June 2023 - Led a small group of 8th graders in Elevate.

2020 - 2022: Volunteer Youth Ministry Leader at Light Church in Encinitas, CA

  • Assisted the youth pastor as-needed with weekly services, events, camp, etc.
  • Discipled students and built relationships with families.
  • Occasionally taught on Wed nights and Sunday services.

2012 - 2018: Youth Pastor at Northshore Vineyard in Covington, LA

  • Oversaw the youth ministry (junior high & high school) & preteen (4th-6th grade)
  • Coordinated weekly services & events, taught on Sundays, led a small group, etc.
  • Recruited, equipped & led a team of volunteers.
  • Provided pastoral care to students and families.
  • Being financially supported by Ministry to Youth, I was able to be in this role as a volunteer.

2010-2014: Conference & Camp Speaker

  • Sought after speaker at various camps and conferences throughout the United States.

2009 - 2011: Kid's Ministry Leader at La Jolla Presbyterian Church

  • Full-time Elementary Director overseeing K-5th grade.
  • Coordinated weekly Sunday services, mid-week services and events.
  • Led a team of volunteers and summer interns.
  • Coordinated summer program with 100+ kids in attendance and 40+ volunteers.

2007-2009: Sales Rep at U.S. Copy in New Orleans, LA

  • Full-time outside sales rep - multi-functional copiers, printers and faxes.

1998-2007: Youth & Kid's Pastor at New Orleans Vineyard Church

  • Full-time ministry leader at a church with weekend attendance of 2,000.
  • Held various leadership positions including: Children's Pastor, Preteen Pastor, Junior High Pastor and oversaw the high school pastor.
  • Led the Children's Ministry (birth-6th grade), which included 400+ kids and 100+ volunteers.
  • Preteen Pastor (4th-6th grade) - Started a preteen ministry from scratch and was personally involved in pastoring, discipling & teaching students. Recruited and equipped a rock star team of volunteers, led camp, coordinated events, led an weekly outreach program called Alpha, led small groups, equipped others to lead small groups, etc.
  • Junior High Pastor (7th-8th grade) - Led the junior high ministry, taught weekend services, pastored & discipled students, led events, recruited and equipped a team of volunteers, etc.
  • Oversaw the full-time high school pastor.
  • Coordinated various events, including camp, VBS, and big church events (up to 1,000 in attendance).
  • Pastoral care to kids, students and families.
  • Recruited and trained volunteers for children through junior high.

OTHER YOUTH EXPERIENCE

Mentor with Young Entrepreneurs Academy

  • Served as a volunteer mentor at a local chapter of the Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) in Louisiana.
  • About YEA: Through a year-long program, students in grades 6-12 generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies.

Volunteer with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans

  • As a volunteer, I led the JA in a Day Program teaching students about entrepreneurship at various schools throughout the greater New Orleans area.
  • Junior Achievement is a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success.

Contact Nick

Phone: 504-559-0297
Email: nickyd456@gmail.com