Meet the Director

 
Amy and Matt Vaughan

Amy and Matt Vaughan

Matt Vaughan (pictured in 2017 with his wife, Amy) founded Ministry Leadership Initiative in 2013 alongside the counsel and support of a wise and invested board. Matt previously served in youth ministry for 18 years at four churches, in addition to teaching middle school with Teach For America and AmeriCorps in Kansas City, Missouri. He continues to teach a weekly Sunday School class for youth. Matt also serves as an instructor at Saint Paul School of Theology and the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College.

He loves hiking in the mountains, enjoying chocolate chip cookies, and cheering for his favorite teams. Matt likes trying new things—he’s driven a race car, worked on a cattle farm, surfed on the North Shore, and completed two marathons—but his favorite thing is spending time with his wife, Amy, and their two teenage boys. Their energetic Labrador Retriever is often referred to as “the third child.”

Matt earned an architecture degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in youth ministry from Southwestern College. Matt’s strength lies in leadership development and discipleship—18 of his former youth and interns responded to a call to ministry by going to seminary, and most became ordained.

 

Hear More from Matt

Hear more from Matt on Gen/Z, the MLI blog.
Effects of the Pandemic on Teen’s Faith
Effects of the Pandemic on Teen’s Faith

A recent study found that over a third of this generation said their faith became stronger during the pandemic, yet many do not participate in faith-based activities or attend weekly worship.

When asked about this dynamic, young people indicated they value those who "share care and concern for their well-being," and that trust-based relationships were key to engaging in ministry-related activities.

Being informed helps MLI adapt our instruction to meet the changing needs of young people and their communities.

Invent, Experiment... Innovate! A New Opportunity –
Invent, Experiment... Innovate! A New Opportunity –

Ministry Leadership Initiative is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Center for Youth Ministry Training to help churches invent, experiment, and innovate. The CYMT Innovation Lab is a phenomenal opportunity, available to your church! Our MLI Director, Matt Vaughan, has been trained in the process through CYMT and he’s impressed by the changes the project has helped facilitate. This is a Lilly-funded project, so the research is extraordinary.

The One Thing that Growing Churches Emphasize
The One Thing that Growing Churches Emphasize

Who is the most adaptable generation in our world today? It’s Gen/Z! These young people were born in 1997 or after, and embracing a sense of community is key for them. This generation is accustomed to rapid change. A recent study showed that churches with a youth emphasis tend to grow, which helps young people with real-life support that has long-lasting effects.

First Fundraising Event Since 2019
First Fundraising Event Since 2019

Ministry Leadership Initiative recently held its first in-person fundraising event since 2019. Hosted by the Made in KC Marketplace on the Country Club Plaza, the evening included a Chiefs watch party as well as a private shopping event. MLI Executive Director Matt Vaughan kicked off the evening, welcoming a crowd of 50 people and providing an update on the organization’s mission and status.

A Pandemic Field Guide for Ministry (Revised)
A Pandemic Field Guide for Ministry (Revised)

As you may know, our MLI team has been sharing resources in our daily blog. Some of the youth and children’s workers in our cohort are now calling this the “Pandemic Field Guide for Ministry.” We’ve pulled together the ten most-read posts to share with you as a field guide. What changes have you made in your ministry over the last 40 days? How can we help?

Back At It!
Back At It!

School has been back in session for a couple of months now. So, if you’re asking, “Where are all our students?” You are not alone. Your students may even be asking the same thing: “Where is everyone?" Families and students have been doing church and faith differently the last 18+ months. Many disengaged completely for numerous possible reasons. It's no one person's fault. It's simple a reality yet creates an adaptive challenge for us.