Jesus was a small-town kid.

Rural Catholic Youth Ministry

Let's rewrite the script on rural youth ministry:

"We don't have anyone qualified do it."

No experience? No problem! If someone feels called, we equip them to feel confident.

"It's not in the budget."

We'll help your parish start and sustain an effective youth group for less than it costs to pay your utilities.

"No one will show up."

...said Jesus never. It's time to change how we measure "success."

"No one has the time to do it."

What if a Catholic youth minister with 15 years of experience created ready-to-go youth group plans for you every week?

"We've tried that before. It didn't last."

We'll help you start a youth group for the last time...because it lasts.

"Youth ministry burns you out."

Not with RCYM's "simple and sustainable" model.

"No one else is doing youth ministry in my area. I feel alone."

We've built a community where you can talk shop with other Catholic youth ministers in rural parishes.

SEE HOW WE'RE DOING IT

Learn how to Confidently lead a youth group

Feel called to do youth ministry, but not confident? Our asynchronous, comprehensive online training course, RCYM 101: Equip the Call, was designed to give someone with little-to-no youth ministry experience all of the know-how to start a youth group from scratch (or restart fresh) specifically in a rural parish.

talk shop with other rural Catholic youth ministers

Rural folk know the importance of community. That’s why we’ve created Bosco’s Garage: the place where rural youth ministers can gather to share their wins, their struggles, their ideas, and their resources. It’s like if St. John Bosco had a garage where you could grab a five-gallon bucket, flip it over, have a seat, and talk shop with your friends!

simple, pre-made youth group plans, delivered fresh weekly

Only just thought about youth group the morning-of? Feel like your youth group is getting a little stale? Tired of playing the same old games? Just don’t have the time to prep for youth group? Don’t worry about it! RCYM Weekly Youth Group Plans are simple to follow, always fresh, and written by a veteran rural youth minister. Let us take the prep-work off your hands so you can focus on the ministering part of youth ministry.

Coaching that meets you where you're at

(EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)

Feeling overwhelmed? Not sure where to even begin, or just need a fresh start? Looking for someone to bounce ideas off of? Coaching can help you break through the fog and provide clarity and direction for your rural youth ministry program’s unique challenges. Coach Kevin Losleben has seen it all…and he’s here to help!

Meet Kevin!

About Kevin Losleben

Founder of Rural Catholic Youth Ministry

Kevin Losleben has 15 years of rural youth ministry experience. For nearly a decade, he served as the director of youth and young adult ministry in “America’s most rural diocese,” where he saw an increase in program attendance by nearly 200%. In addition to this, he has led multiple parish youth groups, countless retreats, and has personally trained numerous missionaries to preach the gospel to rural youth. He holds a BA in English: Writing and a BSEd in Secondary English Education from Winona State University, as well as a Masters in Theological Studies from Christendom College, through which he earned an Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma from the Holy See. He lives with his wife of 14 years and eight kids in a small town in southern Minnesota. He also likes the smell of manure.

"[Kevin's] effective approach to leadership has left sacred footprints and seeds of faith throughout the entire diocese."

- Bishop Chad W. Zielinski

Kevin helped me as a new youth minister so much. He was supportive with my many questions and "how do I". He treated me with dignity so I never felt stupid asking him about anything. I gained so much knowledge in my new position! I will be forever grateful.

As the current Bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm...I have witnessed Kevin's natural leadership ability while serving as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries...

Kevin was there to walk me through many questions, and guided me through some insecurities as well. I've been able to realize my own potential in ministering to youth and how impactful I can be in their lives.

Kevin has a great love and enthusiasm for youth and knows how to engage and connect with them in fun and meaningful ways. Kevin is well-formed theologically, humanly, and spiritually and has a great love for Christ and the Church...I always know that I can trust Kevin to plan and lead any youth event. He will make it prayerful, powerful, and fun...

As a father of 8, Kevin understands the "slow game" of steady, even, sustainable growth. His mentorship, example, and warm confidence in my ability helped me grow significantly as a leader...

I worked with Kevin for many years in youth ministry and vocations ministry...Kevin re-branded our Diocesan Youth Council to be more youth ministry focused and eventually created a diocesan wide youth event twice a year that was appropriate for a rural diocese...

Kevin has a thorough understanding of the different challenges of ministry...and has the rare skill of being able to communicate that experience to others.

Kevin was able...to redeem in me a love for the youth and for working with young people during a time in my life where personal pressures and difficulties in my classroom teaching role threatened to make me cynical...

Kevin helped me to grow tremendously in my personal relationship with God in addition to equipping me with practical guidance for leading others in their journey with God. He was a key inspiration in my decision to pursue mission work abroad...Kevin is personable and relatable as well as incredibly knowledgeable about the Catholic Church and the needs of modern youth...

Kevin has a wealth of knowledge and experience in evangelization and youth ministry, and his new focus on training youth ministers will be a great blessing to the Church.

In the one-on-one meetings with Kevin, Kevin demonstrated receptivity and compassion while also offering practical advice that was the fruit of prayer and years of experience in youth ministry.

Kevin has a contagious energy that made everyone want to be a part of his youth programs. As a Totus Tuus missionary in the Diocese of New Ulm, I saw the ripple effect of involvement across rural communities and heard personal testimonies from students who credit Kevin with increasing their fervor for faith, prayer life, and community. His skills will transform your community into living disciples of Christ!