Entrepreneur. Youth Leader. Husband. Father. Wannabe surfer.
Entrepreneur. Youth Leader. Husband. Father. Wannabe surfer.
Successful entrepreneur for 14+ years.
20+ years of church ministry experience as a kid's and youth ministry leader.
Married to Jena, a gnarly triathlete, for 19+ years.
Dad to 3 kids. Ethan - tattoo artist and art student at Montana State University. Joey - fashion design student in NYC. Emma - senior at Canyon Crest Academy.
Enjoys surfing, but not all that good at it.
Lives in Encinitas, CA.
YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE
2008 - Present: Entrepreneur
- Founder of Ministry to Youth, a company that creates church youth ministry curriculum.
- Full-time since 2012.
- Built the company from scratch and now has 12,000+ customers from around the world.
2020 - Present: Volunteer Youth Ministry Leader at Light Church in Encinitas, CA
- Volunteer on the youth ministry team.
- Lead games and periodically on the teaching rotation.
- Assist the youth pastors as-needed.
2012 - 2018: Volunteer Preteen + Youth Pastor at Northshore Vineyard in Covington, LA
- Oversaw the preteen (4th-6th grade) and youth ministry (junior high & high school)
- Coordinated weekly services, events, etc.
- Led a team of volunteers.
- Pastoral care to students and families.
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: Children's & Youth Pastor at New Orleans Vineyard Church
- Full-time church ministry leader
- 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 Ministry Pastor (4th-6th grade) - Started preteen ministry from scratch, was personally involved in pastoring and teaching students, and all aspects of leading the preteen ministry.
- Junior High Pastor (7th-8th grade) - Led the junior high ministry, taught weekend services, pastored students, etc.
- Recruited and trained volunteers.
- Coordinated various events, including camp, VBS, and big church events.
- Pastoral care to kids, students and families.
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