It was created from a vision of the District Superintendent Scott Shaw and Assistant District Superintendent Brent Deakins. Through prayer and conversations, the concept for Lead Young took shape throughout 2022.
Lead Young is a ministry of the Intermountain District.
Kenton Lee is serving as the first Director of Lead Young. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene with experience in church planting, nonprofit management, and serving in local ministries. He used to be young, but now is an old 40 and loves being a husband and a father.
About Us
100 Young Leaders
The vision of Lead Young is to engage, equip, and empower 100 young leaders on the Intermountain District.
The leaders on the Intermountain District believe there is a leadership void across all areas of ministry. At the same time, there is more opportunity due to the growth in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah.
We believe that young adults are the missing piece and can provide fresh leadership to launch new ministries, revitalize old congregations, and create brand-new ways of sharing the love of Jesus.
About Us
9 Month Leadership Development Program
We invite any and all young adults (ages 18-35) to apply to be a part of the Lead Young 10 Month Leadership Development Program. This is a life-changing program that will help young adults navigate personal development and clarify God’s call on their lives. Here are several key elements of the program:
- Program runs from August through April
- For both ministry leaders and lay leaders
- Monthly mentorship from awesome leaders around the District
- Participate in two leadership courses at NNU
- Monthly coaching from experienced leaders
Interested in next year’s cohort?
Lead Young Coaches
Aisling Zweigle (Pronounced “Ashling”) has served as pastor and missionary in the US, Canada, and the Philippines. She is Family Life Pastor at a multi-site church in Vancouver, British Columbia. Ais (”Ash”) and Grant have been married for 27 years and have two young adult sons. She’s a passionate coach, writer, and runner.
Kenny is a husband of 27 years with 3 adult kids. A missioning pastor, coach, recruiter, and Spartan racing enthusiast.
Jeremy serves with his wife as co-pastors in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is a father of 3, an avid runner, and someone who loves questions and working through things with people. He enjoys conversations that explore the possibilities of what God might be up to in a person’s live.
Roy enthusiastic Christ follower, devoted husband of 54 years to Renee, father to adult son Tony and grandfather to adult grandson Jacob. Long-time pastor, educator, therapist and coach. Crazy about the Kansas City Chiefs!
2025-26 Lead Young Cohort
Hello, my name is Amanda. I am a single mom of 5 beautiful children. I work full time as a manager at a vape store. I am almost 3 years clean and sober. Worship music from Air1 is how I manage my days, it gets me through everything, the ups and downs. Photography is my passion and bright neon colors are my favorite. Pizza and pasta are my favorite foods. The beautiful church I attend and call home is Lakeview Church of the Nazarene (North Nampa)
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Karel, I work in high-end construction in Southern Idaho and am currently pursuing an MBA with Boise State. I grew up in Florida, but have been in Idaho for 10 years where I attend the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene. I enjoy spending time with my husband and (3) dogs outdoors, playing rec sports (recently very into tennis), and cooking new meals. I am excited to see the things God is going to do through Lead Young this year!
My name is Marrissa Crowe! I have two beautiful kids with my husband of 4 years, Brandon. My passion is working with people with disabilities and I get to do that every day as a Behavioral Intervention Professional.
Hey there. My name is Cheyenne Oyler and I go to the Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene. In the church, I am a drummer on the worship team and I volunteer with the youth group. I enjoy photography, adventure, and spending time in nature. Through lead young, I’m looking forward to discovering what God is calling is on my life and growing in my relationship with him.
Hello, I am Hannah Osborne! I graduate from NNU in 2024 with a degree in Christian Ministry. My husband and I are currently attending two different churches as we explore various opportunities for me to either volunteer or work as a staff member. My favorite hobby of all time is crochet, and if you run into me out in the world, I'll likely have my latest project peeking out of my go bag. I am very excited about this year's Lead Young Cohort, and so grateful to be a part of it!
I have been a Christian since I was 7 years old when I gave my life to Jesus in the Nazarene Church. God has taken me on a journey of protection, fulfillment, surrender, and loving embrace. With God as my guide, I met my husband in high school and we were married two years after we graduated. We have three beautiful children who are very much still learning and excited about God's kingdom. God was working in the life He gave me to direct where I needed to go. After I had my son the church asked me to become a leader co-directing with children's Ministry in Early Childhood. It was 6 years into that when God called me (the 2nd time)to be a pastor. "To bring connection to children and families, to guide and support and to bring all closer to Him." After 10 years of children's ministry, and 20 yrs of attendance, we have left our home church, Five Mile Church, and have embarked try to a journey of faith and guidance to see where and what God will call us to do.
Hi, My name is Eneserine. I live in Boise Idaho. I go to 5mile church of the nazarene. I did entrepreneurship in college but I’m currently interested in enrolling for social work at NNU.
Hi, my name is Lexi! I currently live in Idaho Falls and attend Crosspoint Community Church. I love playing my guitar, singing, listening to music, and spending time with my loved ones. I have a huge passion for music ministry and worship, the way I connect with God being through music itself. I’m excited to see the path that God has for me these next several months as I participate in this program.
Hey y’all! I’m Emma Curry and I attend Mountain View Church of the Nazarene in Homedale, ID. I am a Pre-K teacher at a local daycare and have a big heart for working with kids and families! I am super stoked to be a part of this year’s cohort as I continue to discover the ways that God is calling and directing my life!
Hi! My name is MaKenzie Wood, I go to Rosewood lane in Layton, Utah. I’m a full time college student at Weber State University. I’m majoring in crime scene investigation. I’m also Utah States bagger for 2025 and I’m headed to compete at nationals in February. I love hiking, photography and thrift shopping!
About Us
Summit
Don’t miss the biggest Young Adult Event of the year!
Celebrate graduating Lead Young participants and kick off applications for next year. Join in worship with Morgan & Shannon Seward. If you attend just one event a year, make it this!
Hello, Pastors and Leaders!
Hope you are having a great day and week and start to 2025! Thanks for all you do to work with your church. I am excited to share a cool opportunity for you and the young adults in your congregation called The Summit. This is the biggest event of the year for young adults on the Intermountain District.
My name is Kenton Lee, and I am the Director of a young adult (18-35) program through the district called Lead Young. Our mission is to spiritually ignite young adults for growth and service. We do that through our annual leadership cohort. And we also do that through small events and activities.
I am reaching out to you because we have a great event happening this April that also features our leadership cohort – and we want every young adult in your church to know about it and feel very invited. This is the third time we are putting on The Summit. It is a can’t-miss event for young adults. We are doing it a little differently this year and we are going on a roadtrip! We will be heading to five locations around the District to host The Summit. We are excited to gather in smaller settings with young adults, enjoy connecting with each other, and sharing more about the Lead Young program. This is the biggest event of the year for young adults on the Intermountain District.
Monday (April 7) – – Salt Lake City, UT – – Location TBD – – 7PM to 8:30PM
Tuesday (April 8) – – Pocatello, ID – – Rocky Mountain Ministries – – 7PM to 8:30PM
Wednesday (April 9) – – Nampa, ID – – Lakeview Nazarene – – 7PM to 8:30PM
Thursday (April 10) – – Boise, ID – – Tree City Nazarene – – 7PM to 8:30PM
Friday (April 11) – – Ontario, OR – – Ontario First Church – – 7PM to 8:30PM
We would love for any young adults in your congregation to join us for The Summit happening in your area. Can you use this poster and help spread the word about it? This is the biggest event of the year for young adults on the Intermountain District. ….can you tell we are excited about it??? 🙂
If you have any questions or need anything (especially if you need a digital version of this poster) – just send me an email or a text (Kenton Lee – 208.989.8867 or kentonarthurlee@gmail.com). Watch out for more communication from the Lead Young team about The Summit. We are so excited about it!
Thanks a ton!
Best,
Kenton Lee
Director, Lead Young
