Celebrating 10 Years of Building Cathedrals

Veteran urban youth worker and father figure, Ted Travis, reflects on “tremendous opportunities.”  

By Will Cumby (Houston 2010)

Building Cathedrals by Ted Travis, now in its tenth anniversary edition, masterfully unpacks the inner workings of urban ministry while chronicling Ted’s personal journey of transformation and purpose. This book, also used as a DVULI training resource, emphasizes that effective ministry must purposefully create environments where youth can discover who they are in Christ—sacred spaces where their God-given identity and potential can fully emerge.

While studying music in Vienna—with no intention of living in an urban community or entering full-time ministry—God redirected Ted’s path through a mentor named Bud, who challenged him to view life as a tremendous opportunity. This perspective shifted Ted to focus on some of Denver’s most challenging neighborhoods, where he engaged in transformational discipleship while building a sustainable ministry led by the very youth he served.

At the heart of Travis’s approach is the understanding that young people need to see the image of God modeled in others to fully embrace it in themselves. Drawing from the guiding principles of Christian Community Development, the wisdom of Dr. John Perkins, and his own experiences, Ted provides readers with:

• Clear priorities for effective youth leadership
• Developmental phases of transformational leadership
• Practical strategies for building successful outreach programs

Ted challenges urban ministry leaders to move beyond renovating physical structures in our communities to the more crucial work of rebuilding and restoring the hearts of youth who house God’s spirit.

Building Cathedrals has transcended its status as a DVULI recommended read to become a textbook for ministries worldwide. Available on Amazon and at tdinitiative.org.