Get to Know the Maynard Family

Ministry Description

Hi! We are John & Linda Maynard, Word of Life Youth Ministry Coaches and Missionaries. After 36 years ministering in Central & Eastern New York, we have transitioned to ministering to "the rest of the country", to youth ministries that are not within the ministry area of the typical Word of Life Youth Ministry Coach. We minister to 30+ churches from the UP of Michigan to Miami, FL; from Arkansas to New York and every where in between..

For over 40 years our passion has been, and continues to be, helping pastors, churches and leaders to reach today's youth through evangelism and discipleship. Our desire is to reach, disciple and develop leadership in local churches in order to provide exciting, vibrant youth ministries.

Learn more about the ministry in the United States.

About John

John spent the first 25 years of his life “down on the farm” in Smyrna, NY. A visiting college student shared the gospel and at the age of 12, John accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

John began attending West Smyrna Baptist Church in 1973, where Linda attended. We were married October 1974. During the time following our marriage until January 1981, we worked with the youth group at our church. In addition to teaching Bible Study, planning socials, youth nights, special music and Christian service opportunities for the teens, we also directed the Primary Church for 2 years. It was during this time that we felt the Lord was moving us to some aspect of “full time” service in the area of youth work. This became a matter of much prayer and seeking God’s leading as we realized that such a commitment would most likely lead us away from family and friends of our hometown of Smyrna.

Through God’s direction, in August 1980, we attended Word of Life Candidate School. This in turn led us to attend the Word of Life Bible Institute. John attended and completed school while serving as the missionary with Word of Life Clubs.

Today we celebrate serving Word of Life Youth Ministries for over 40 years. We are honored to be a part of a ministry that impacts youth with the gospel message. Their only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

About Linda

Linda began attending West Smyrna Baptist Church shortly after moving to the area from Cortland, NY. She accepted the Lord at the first visit to the church during a revival campaign at age 13. Linda became active in the youth group and attended church faithfully. Through family and church friends she was introduced to John.

Our first child, Aaron, was born in May 1976. Over the next several years John and Linda were involved in various ministries to youth at the church. In August 1980 we began the first steps that would lead us into ministry with Word of Life. After being accepted on WOL staff and attending the Bible Institute we moved to Perth, NY where our second son, Shaun, was born in Dec. 1981. In August 1983 Melissa arrived to complete our family. Today we have 5 grandchildren.

John 3:30 - "He must increase, I must decrease."

Contact Information

Jmaynard@wol.org
518-424-8323