Zondervan Acquires Youth Specialities

Zondervan's acquisition of Youth Specialties marks the culmination of a 30-year business relationship – including a co-publishing and distribution partnership – between the two companies.

Zondervan has acquired a youth ministry organization that provides publications, resources, training, and encouragement for youth workers and youth-oriented organizations around the world, according to a public announcement made on Tuesday.

The Christian communication company’s acquisition of Youth Specialties marks the culmination of a 30-year business relationship – including a co-publishing and distribution partnership – between the two companies. To date, the Youth Specialties/Zondervan partnership has published more than 500 resources that help youth workers connect with kids and help them experience the adventure and excitement of faith.

"Youth Specialties has consistently proven itself as an innovator and trusted resource committed to meeting the unique needs of youth ministries," stated Doug Lockhart, Zondervan President and CEO, in Tuesday’s announcement. "Our three decade relationship has been extremely positive and complementary and our respective missions are closely aligned. This acquisition is a natural fit as Zondervan continues to look for ways to expand our impact. We look forward to embracing the entire YS team into our family and to supporting their efforts to reach the next generation."

Each year, Youth Specialties serves more than 100,000 volunteer and career youth workers through conventions, training seminars and youth worker retreats. The company also serves youth ministries with books, CD-ROMS, videos, the magazine Journal of Student Ministries and online resources. It reaches beyond the borders of the U.S. through its Spanish division, Especialidades Juveniles.

"Our team is excited to work even more closely with everyone at Zondervan as we strive to continue Youth Specialties' tradition of service to youth workers," said Youth Specialties President Mark Oestreicher. According to Zondervan, Oestreicher will remain in his current role providing leadership and overseeing the daily operations of the company and Youth Specialties will remain based in San Diego, retaining its current staff of approximately 35.

"I'm confident this will be a smooth transition all the way around as we've already felt like part of the Zondervan family for many years," Oestreicher added.

Former Youth Specialties owner Karla Yaconelli, who will also continue to maintain an active role within the company, said she is confident that her late husband, Youth Specialties founder Mike Yaconelli “would be 100 percent supportive of this decision.”

"This partnership will enhance who Youth Specialties is and what we do,” she said. “Our focus will remain the same – equipping youth workers – yet teaming with Zondervan provides us with both long-term stability and additional resources to increase our reach and offerings and continue to try new and innovative things. That is what my husband always hoped and prayed for."

A longtime Zondervan partner and “a true visionary in youth ministry,” Mike Yaconelli was passionate about creating a company that could inspire youth leaders to change the world, "one kid at a time."

He spent 43 years of his life in ministry to youth, and 20 years as a pastor of a small church in Yreka, Calif. – which he called "the slowest growing church in America."

Yaconelli passed away after a car accident in October 2003.