The International Centre for Youth Ministry (ICYM) was initiated by Youth Ministry International (YMI), USA under the leadership of Dr. Randy Smith. The vision to reach African youth through Nigeria was sparked by a conversation between Dr. Randy Smith, Rev. Dr. Segun Jayesinmi, and the Director of Youth and Students’ Ministries of Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Samuel Olaleye. This led to a series of correspondence between YMI, NBC, and NBTS, culminating in the commencement of the Master of Art in Youth Ministry (MAYM) degree in NBTS, first in Africa.

The International Centre for Youth Ministry formally started in July 2022. Rev. Dr. Samuel A.K. Olaleye, one of the pioneers, MAYM students, who had just rotated off as the Director of Youth and Students Ministries of the Convention, was appointed the pioneer Director of the Centre for a period of two years. Rev. Aderemi Adeloye, who also was in the pioneer class, was appointed Administrative Officer while Mr Olatubosun Olayode was appointed as a driver.

ICYM is in talks with about twenty theological institutions and a university to start academic youth ministry training. A training manual has been prepared for informal training to equip youth pastors and workers for effective local church ministry. ICYM coordinates activities of the Nigeria Youth Ministry Coalition and offers scholarships to individuals with reproductive capacity. Some seminary students receive informal training for purposeful ministry, and the students’ discipleship training is being conducted at a Secondary School, while Campus ministry will commence soon in Tertiary Institutions.

International Centre for Youth Ministry (ICYM) is taking a giant stride by starting training for youth workers. The training began on October 10, 2023, and lasted three months. Fifteen students graduated on February 14, 2024. The event took place at the multipurpose hall of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso. The graduands were all certificated after their training. The facilitators are graduates of the Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry (MAYM), while the students cut across different denominations.