YOUTHWORKS! INC. ACQUIRES YOUTH SPECIALTIES

On December 16, 2009, YouthWorks!, Inc.® completed the acquisition of Youth Specialties (YS) from Zondervan. YouthWorks' purchase includes the entire YS brand and the events division; however, the publishing division will continue to operate under Zondervan.

The acquisition blends the ministry of YouthWorks--a multi-denominational family of ministries that plans and implements life-changing, Christ-centered missions trips and ministry experiences--with the complementary work of YS--the international leader in training and equipping youth pastors and youth ministry leaders.

This move realigns YS under the umbrella of the youth ministry-minded organization of YouthWorks, which honors the legacy of the YS founders, positions YS for new success and significantly expands the reach of the YouthWorks family of ministries. YouthWorks currently operates in more than 80 U.S. cities and Canada and has served more than 400,000 participants through 10,000 churches. YS serves more than 10,000 churches and 100,000 youth ministry workers worldwide.

"Both YouthWorks and Youth Specialties were founded to serve the Church by serving youth," said YouthWorks founder and President Paul Bertelson. "We are excited about the complementary aspects each offers and believe the acquisition will enhance both ministries."

For more information on the acquisition visit www.youthworks.com/ys.asp