Home Page

Mark DeVries and his consultant team, Youth Ministry Architects, help churches move strategically toward implementing a thriving model for youth ministry.
Youth Ministry Architects is a  youth-ministry coaching firm dedicated to helping churches build a solid foundation for long-term, deep-impact ministries to teenagers. YMA exists to build long-term “next generation” Christian adults.

Mark is a hands-on coach for churches whose youth ministries are in transition (intentional or unexpected) or churches who hope to see their youth ministries move to the next level.

For over 20 years, Mark has served as Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families at First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn., where he continues to oversee the youth ministry on a part-time basis.

Mark has trained youth leaders across the United States, as well as in Russia, Canada, Uganda, and South Africa, working with a wide variety of denominations. He has taught courses or been a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and seminaries, including Princeton Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt Divinity School, David Lipscomb University, King College, and Reformed Theological Seminary.

Mark DeVries lives in Nashville with Susan, his wife of 25 years, and children (when they choose to be in town): Adam (25), Debbie (21) and Leigh (18). In September of ‘04, Adam returned home to join the youth staff of First Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Adam and his wife, Sara, (Co-Author of The most important year in a Woman’s Life) were married in April ’06.