Lionel Young |

Lionel Young has 35 years of experience leading churches and Christian ministries through periods of significant growth, both as a senior pastor and as a non-profit executive. He believes that congregations can integrate generosity initiatives and capital campaigns into the church’s primary calling of making disciples and he brings extensive experience in relationship-driven fundraising that raises necessary funds for ministry projects while simultaneously increasing annual-fund giving.

In recent years, while serving as the Executive Vice President for a global non-profit (Global Action), Lionel led the development efforts of the ministry in the United States and the United Kingdom, helping the organization nearly triple its annual income. He balanced the task of raising necessary resources for capital projects, while also consistently increasing the annual fund for operating expenses. He is especially experienced in working with High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI), and is passionate about helping churches, schools, and non-profits create a compelling vision for the future to achieve extraordinary results.

Lionel is also passionate about the global church and provides counsel and advice for senior leaders across cultures. He holds an M.Div. from Grace Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Stirling (Scotland). He is the author of World Christianity and The Unfinished Task: A Very Short Introduction, which was selected by Christianity Today as one of the best books in its field. Lionel is also a Senior Research Associate at the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide in Cambridge, England.

Lionel partnered with Church Growth Services when he was a pastor leading his own congregation through two highly successful major capital campaigns. He was so profoundly transformed by his experience with CGS that he accepted an invitation to join the team to help pastors, churches, and related faith-based non-profit organizations. He has a heart for the local church and for ministry leaders.

Lionel and his wife Stacy live in Austin, Texas.