our story

YLI’s own story is the message that we teach.  If discipleship had not occurred we would not exist today.

Jim Moye, Founder of Young Leaders International

Prior to founding YLI in 2001, Jim served as the Director of the Young Leaders Initiative with the International Leadership Institute of The Mission Society.  He was a Professor of Youth Ministry at Eastern College in St. Davids, PA from 1993-1998.  Jim worked as a Youth Pastor at Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta from 1985-1992 and at Oak Grove United Methodist Church from 1982-1985.

Jim completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  He received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and a Master of Divinity Degree from The Chandler School of Theology at Emory University.

Jim, his wife Fran and their boys James, Daniel and Jonathan spent six months in Ghana in 2002 establishing the West African home base.  After returning to the USA, they added their fourth son, Stephen to the family.

Jim continued to travel to Ghana and Cuba mentoring and training YLI coaches, Directors, and Young Leaders until he was diagnosed with cancer in September 2004.  Jim died on July 2, 2005 from brain cancer — the vision God birthed in him for YLI lives on.