Nieto Ministries

Faith · Community · Leadership

The nationwide hub for coffee-house-style youth & young-adult ministry — resources, free leader training, and a growing network of Grind chapters. Starting on the East Coast. Every denomination. Every young person. Welcome.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." — 1 Timothy 4:12

Felix & Neusa Nieto

The coffee-house model at the heart of The Grind isn't borrowed — Felix built and ran it more than 20 years ago, out of decades on the front line of youth ministry. What national programs later made popular, he was already doing: coffee, music, real conversation, and a short, honest message that meets young people where they are.

Felix is a certified Master Guide (Advanced) and a conference-certified youth-leadership trainer — someone already credentialed to train and certify other leaders — with the full Pathfinder honor set and decades as a Pathfinder club director and youth leader. Neusa brings the same heart for mentorship and community. Together they've spent their lives developing young people from childhood faith into adult conviction.

Now we're scaling what we pioneered — into a national hub that equips and certifies leaders everywhere to do the same. We're not here to babysit. We're here to build leaders.

30+Years Leading Youth
20+Yrs The Grind Model
MasterGuide Certified

Certified & Proven

Our certification standard is backed by a real training pedigree — not a self-appointed badge:

Master Guide — Advanced
Conference-certified youth-leadership trainer
Full Pathfinder honor & certification set
Decades as club director & youth leader

Three Pillars

Everything we do flows through these three principles.

Community

A place to belong. Before you can grow spiritually, you need to feel safe. We build that space — authentic, judgment-free, and alive.

Discipleship

Growth that's intentional. From the first visit to leading others — a clear path from curiosity to conviction to multiplication.

Visibility

Faith in action. Not hidden, not performative — lived. Fellowship, study, prayer, and service that others can see and experience.

The Grind Network

We're becoming the nationwide hub for coffee-house-style youth & young-adult ministry — starting on the East Coast, growing across the country.

Resource Hub

The go-to library for everything youth & young-adult (to age 22) and coffee-house-style programs.

Explore resources →

Leader Training

Learn to start and run your own Grind, under our guidance — free training through NEIademy.

Start training →

Chapter Network

A growing network of local Grind coffee houses. Bring one to your community.

Start a chapter →

Resource Hub

Everything you need to build real community for young people — free and growing.

Getting Started

The model, the vision, and how a Grind night runs.

Safety & Legal

Youth protection, waivers, ratios, and policy templates.

Event Playbooks

Run-of-show, hospitality, music, and games.

Content & Messages

Short-message formats and discussion guides.

Fundraising

Sponsorships and support to keep the doors open.

Community & Moderation

Building a safe, judgment-free space.

Request resource access

Training & Certification

Four certification tracks take you from safety-first fundamentals to a launch-ready, certified chapter leader — free, self-paced, and guided by us through our academy.

Track 2 — Youth Ministry Foundations

Understanding ages 14–22, the discipleship path, building community & belonging, communication, and leading volunteer teams.

Certification: Certified Youth Ministry Leader

Track 3 — The Grind Model (capstone)

Our founder-authored coffee-house playbook: the model & vision, running the night (hospitality, food, live music, the "Super Short Sermon"), moderation & safe space, Bring-a-Friend growth, sponsorships, and the launch playbook.

Certification: Certified Grind Chapter Leader → Eligible to open a chapter

Track 4 — Ministry Operations & Growth

Legal/entity/insurance basics, the digital stack (site, chat, phone, blog), marketing, and measurement. Optional, for leaders scaling up.

Certification: Certified Ministry Operator

Pathway: Youth ProtectionFoundationsThe Grind Model (capstone). Each track ends with a quiz and a verifiable certificate; complete the capstone plus a signed chapter agreement and safety proof to be approved and listed in the network.

Start Training — Free

Delivered through our academy. Begin with Youth Protection and work your way to a launch-ready, certified Grind chapter leader. The Ministry tier is free — mission first. Training tracks are rolling out now; request your free leader account and we'll get you in as each track opens.

Start a Chapter

Bring The Grind to your community. Here's the path from "I'm interested" to a launched, certified chapter — with us guiding you the whole way.

1

Reach Out

Tell us your name, your town, and the young people you want to reach. We'll follow up and set up your free leader account.

2

Get Certified (Free)

Complete Youth Protection & Safety first, then Foundations and The Grind Model capstone — self-paced, guided by us.

3

Set Up Your Night

Line up a room, a few caring adults, and a date. We help you plan the first night and build a youth-led team.

4

Launch & Get Listed

Sign the chapter agreement and safety proof, launch your first Grind, and join the national network directory.

Ready to start one?

It begins with a conversation — no commitment. Tell us about your community and we'll walk you through it.

Start a Chapter

Bring a Grind to your community — under our model, brand, and guidance.

1. Train

Complete the free Ministry Leadership track on NEIademy.

2. Meet the Standards

Adopt our safety, conduct, and brand standards.

3. Get Approved

We review and welcome you into the network, under our guidance.

4. Launch & List

Open your Grind and get listed in our directory.

Apply to start a chapter

All Are Welcome

Nieto Ministries is an independent, Christ-centered ministry — all denominations, all young people, fully inclusive. We're not here to divide by label; we're here to build the next generation together.

Our Programs

What we're building — one gathering at a time.

Adventure Weekends

Quarterly outdoor experiences. Camping, hiking, team challenges. Building courage and connection in God's creation.

Coming 2027

Service Projects

Quarterly community service. Faith made visible through action. Teams serving together, growing together.

Coming 2027

Leadership Academy

For youth ready to lead. Public speaking, event planning, mentoring skills. Preparing the next generation of church leaders.

Coming 2027

Upcoming Events

Gatherings, services, and community nights. Come be part of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

For families, leaders, and partners.

What is Nieto Ministries?

An independent, Christ-centered ministry founded by Felix and Neusa Nieto, building the nationwide hub for coffee-house-style youth and young-adult ministry. We run our flagship (The Grind) and equip and certify leaders to launch their own.

What denomination are you?

We're independent and all-denominations. Every young person and every leader who shares the mission is welcome.

What is The Grind?

Our flagship program — a free Friday-night coffee house for youth and young adults ages 16–22: coffee, food, live music, a short message, and real community. Learn more at jointhegrind.org.

How do I start a chapter?

Reach out, complete our free leader training (safety first), set up your night, and launch under our guidance. See the "Start a Chapter" steps above.

Is the leader training really free?

Yes. The Ministry tier is free — mission first. You'll get a free leader account scoped to our leadership training as tracks roll out.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Not at this time. Nieto Ministries is currently a for-profit LLC; giving is appreciated but is not tax-deductible.

Ready to be part of something real?

The Grind is launching this summer. Friday nights. Coffee. Music. Community. Faith. No judgment. Just growth.