Mark Yaconelli is the co-founder and director of the Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project housed at San Francisco Theological Seminary. His research and ministry has been ground-breaking in its exploration of spiritual direction, contemplation and ancient spiritual practices as the basis of discipleship with young people. The author of Contemplative Youth Ministry and Growing Souls (both published by SPCK), he is in demand as a retreat leader and speaker throughout the United States and, increasingly, in the UK.