Joshua Knudsen

That prayer changed the course of Joshua's life. He never wanted to be a pastor — even though, from a young age, people kept telling him he would be. As a senior in high school he gave God an unenthusiastic but genuine yes, and he has been giving that yes ever since, pastoring, preaching and teaching to every age group.

For 17 years he has served in youth and young adult ministry at Horizon Church in Sparks, Nevada, a community in the Reno-Sparks area. Today he is its Generations Pastor, responsible for every generation in the house — from infants through young adults — and for the parents trying to navigate those years alongside them. He is also a teacher, speaker, and creator — and a husband and father of four, which makes this mission personal.

His mission is to build the Church by whatever means he's able. Lasting impact, he believes, happens when the next generation is discipled well and families are strengthened — so he builds resources designed to equip them to love God passionately and live their faith out loud.

He doesn't just want young people who attend church. He wants to help raise a generation that loves God passionately, understands what they believe, and is prepared to follow Jesus when it gets difficult.

Teens already spend their attention on screens. YCU is an attempt to meet them there with something worth watching: original shows, courses that go deeper than a Sunday morning, a Bible they can highlight and take notes in, and groups where they can do it together instead of alone.

It's built for parents too. The app gives you visibility into what your teen is watching and learning, and resources to have the conversations that follow.