Relational Leadership Collaborative (RLC) (501(c)(3)) was founded in 2024 as Peer Ministry Leadership (PML) transitioned to a non-profit. PML is still a key element to RLC and is at the core to RLC’s future. PML originally had the corporate name of EveryDay LLC, as it is a ministry that is lived every day, everywhere, and in every relationship.
RLC works with all denominations, schools, and businesses. The mission of RLC is to educate hearts, empowering people to live loving their neighbor.
We work to create a more compassionate society by equipping people of all ages with relational skills through partnerships with churches, schools, businesses, and other organizations. We engage with skills that are livable, doable, and repeatable—benefiting every relationship, every day, and everywhere.
We fulfill our mission by teaching relational skills, offering leadership training, developing resources, and speaking to various groups. We can equip groups with our programs or integrate our expertise into existing initiatives.
Our roots are well grounded in the original peer education movement. Dr. Barbara Varenhorst is the leading pioneer for peer programs both with schools and churches. As a school counselor in Palo Alto, California, she recognized that the needs of students were greater than her staff could keep up with. As she talked with kids, she would often ask, “To whom do you turn when you have needs?” At first Varenhorst was hurt that they didn’t say, “Well, we would come to you.” Instead, they often spoke of friends whom they trusted. Varenhorst also would ask, “When a friend comes to you with a problem, do you know how to help him or her?” The answers indicated that students wished they could be better at helping. Working with the state of California, Varenhorst developed a written curriculum and began training in what was then called Peer Counseling.
Today, many programs such as Peer Helpers, Natural Helpers, Peer Mediation, and Peer Ministry all flow out of her original work.
Irene Strommen, author, trainer and organizer (husband Mert founded Search Institute and The Youth and Family Institute) worked with Dr. Varenhorst to broaden Peer Ministry by starting to include associate trainers in the Twin Cities area. Peer Ministry Leadership exists today because of her guidance and passion.
The Youth and Family Institute at Augsburg College, under the direction of Dr. Dick Hardel, became the first home for Peer Ministry Leadership. Later the Institute would leave the college campus and become its own organization. Through a 12-year period, Lyle Griner worked to broaden PML on a national level.
Peer Ministry Leadership became its own organization in 2010 when the Institute changed its name and direction to become Vibrant Faith. Today Peer Ministry Leadership seeks to train and broaden the strategies that allow youth and young adults to become relational leaders.
Lyle Griner – Creative Director
I want every congregation’s youth ministry to be known for producing faith leaders. PML educates the heart with caring, welcoming and affirming skills turning those wonderfully quirky, sometimes overly silly, rambunctious kids into amazing student leaders.
—Lyle
Lyle’s background:
- 16 years of dynamic congregational work
- National Director of Peer Ministry Leadership (Now Relational Leadership Collaborative)
- Leader of 3-week Certification School for Wartburg Theological Seminary and The Youth & Family Institute
- Creator and Instructor for Living Room Summits on family ministry
- 14 years with The Youth & Family Institute (renamed Vibrant Faith)
- Youth ministry instructor at Augsburg College, Minneapolis and Concordia University, St. Paul
- Coaching and Mentoring
- AA, Biblical Studies, MN Bible College
- Major in Middle School Education, University of Northern Iowa
- Masters in Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Seminary
- Two years’ studies and certification as a Spiritual Director, Christos Center for Spiritual Formation
- Volunteers with youth ministry at Mount Calvary, Excelsior, MN
- Winner of the 2026 Tom “Tommy” Hunstad Award
Bryan Jaster – Leadership Director
Greetings friends! I’m thrilled to be the Program Director for Relational Leadership Collaborative. I love how we teach real world skills to love and care for people. I’m a husband to Amy, dad of 2 young adult humans Katelyn and Jason, dog dad to Jedi and Ozzie and live in Denver, Colorado. I serve full-time at Saint Peter Lutheran church and have served a few Lutheran flavored congregations in Ohio and Virginia as well. I love the outdoors, board games, camps, people’s stories, flying discs, and bacon. I’m excited to help you teach and unleash skills to grow humans in your context. Love to connect with you!
Kelsey Blinn – Managing Director
Hello All! This new chapter in life is exciting to be part of this amazing organization. I have been involved with RLC since 2021 in its former capacity as Peer Ministry Leadership and am looking forward to what the future holds as we transition into RLC. Other hats I wear in life are being a mom to three vibrate young kids (Noelle, Charlie, and Mackenzie), a wife to Nate, a research coordinator with Sacred Playgrounds, and a fill in for Service Learning Camps. I love being outside, connecting with people, organizing, coffee, reading, and living in the moment. Reach out and connect!
Tom Schwolert is a dedicated pastor with the Evangelical Church of America, bringing a wealth of experience from a diverse career spanning multiple professions. With 27 years in youth ministry, he has also excelled as a trainer, coach, consultant, hospice chaplain, and mental health chaplain. His adventures as a travel guide have taken him to over 20 countries and 49 of the 50 states, enriching his perspective on life and leadership.
Tom has been happily married to his wife, Melanie, for 36 years and is the proud father of three children. Their daughter, Jazzy, is married and resides in San Antonio with her husband, Jack, and their two children, Noah and Annie. Tragically, Tom and Melanie experienced the loss of their son, Max, who passed away at the age of 17 due to complications from the flu. Their youngest child, Zoey, lives in Dallas with her new husband, Riley.
In his leisure time, Tom enjoys bass fishing, golfing and playing with his grandkids.
Matt Meyers has a background in youth and family ministry and is also a trainer and associate with Relational Leadership Collaborative training faith communities all over the nation in “Good Samaritan Leadership”. Matt is a therapist and owner at Traverse Counseling & Consulting in Minnesota.
Josh Carlson-Kroschel
Per Nestingen
Chad Senuta serves as the Director of Young Adult and Communication Ministries for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. He is passionate about equipping leaders and churches to engage in effective ministry with youth and young adults. He lives in Northfield, IL with his wife Lisa and two daughters. He’s a wonderful facilitator for both Peer Ministry Leadership and PLAN-IT workshops.
Pastor Aaron David Werner, Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – Ida, Michigan, has been a peer ministry leader since high school. As a founding member of the Bridge Builders anti-racism leadership camp, a hospital chaplain, missionary, spiritual director and pastor, he brings his experience to training people for crisis, cross-cultural, and inter-religious peer ministry. Aaron has a passion for facilitating the soul work needed for loving everyone in a diverse world and reaching out to people on the margins. Aaron is a lively and enjoyable facilitator, helping learners honor themselves as they learn to honor and welcome others.