Matt Vaughan thought about starting a non-profit ministry to combine two vocational interests—youth ministry and education—and he wrote the first outline of a business plan that morning. Over the course of six months, Matt shared the plan with nearly 50 people, and the draft changed shape dozens of times. This cloud of witnesses prayed together. They shared feedback. Many promised financial support. Word began to spread.
Many partners shared foundational grants. The United Methodist Church Discipleship Ministries (Young People’s Ministries), Village Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Southminster Presbyterian Church provided generous financial support. The Presbyterian Church (USA) Synod of Mid-America pledged grant support. Asbury United Methodist Church offered meeting space and other resources.
The organization began operations as Youth Ministry Institute Midwest (YMIM) on September 24, 2013. Over six years, the organization partnered with dozens of churches to provide youth ministry training, coaching, and consulting services. Soon, the board began to receive inquiries from churches about supporting children’s ministers, newly-ordained clergy, and other church staff—even from other parts of the country.
With these ministry needs in mind, YMIM morphed into Ministry Leadership Initiative Inc. on May 28, 2019. MLI expanded its portfolio of services to support over 100 congregations and faith-based organizations throughout the United States, specializing in youth and children’s ministry.