Books Young Leaders Must Be Reading in 2026
8 Must-Read Books Every Young Leader Needs in 2026. If you want to lead with clarity, courage, and conviction in a chaotic world, these books will shape your mind, strengthen your faith, and sharpen your leadership:
The Bible Simplified (Zach Windahl) Zach is one of my favorite authors - he has an ability to teach scripture in a profound yet simple way!
Breaking Free From Broke (George Kamel) Our conversation with George on the youngadultstoday podcast was LIFE - CHANGING. Working in ministry can be challenging when it comes to personal finances. Catch that conversation here!
Practicing The Way (John Mark Comer) Whether you’re a completive type or just desiring to know and grow more in your faith this one is a great place to start! Comer is one of the timeless authors of our generation!
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Peter Scazzero) Every leader struggles with hurts, hurdles, and hangups from the past. Be willing to look in the mirror and do the hard work and allow the Holy Spirit to break chains and help you get past your past!
Gradually Then Suddenly (Mark Batterson) This has been my favorite recent read - Batterson is another favorite author of mine and this is his newest release. The same way you go broke is the same way you get out of debt, the same way you get in shape is the same way you get out of shape - first it’s gradually, then it’s suddenly!
Winning the War in Your Mind (Craig Groeschel) One of the battles every young leader faces is their own thought life and mental health. Break out of insecurity, imposter syndrome, and find inner peace here!
Welcoming The Future Church (JP Pokluda) Jesus is our passion. Young adults are our burden. Few voices resonate more prophetically in the next generation than JP! This one is a must read for Christian young leaders and those wanting to see faith passed down to future generations!
At Your Best (Carey Nieuwhof) Avoiding burnout is possible! This book helps. It seems like a trend is young leaders strive to impress in their 20s and 30s and burn out by 40. What if there was another way. PS - Carey is a genius when it comes to time management! You can catch our interview with him on the youngadultstoday podcast here!
You might be looking for even more reads, we made a different list towards the end of 2025 you can find here!
We want to hear from you! Which of these books are most helpful? What else should leaders be adding to their reading list? Thanks for stopping by! Stick around! This is your home base for young adult ministry. Let’s reach the next generation, together. One more thing - are you signed up for our FREE Digital Conference on Wednesday, January 21st as we kick off 2026? Hope to see you there! Keep leading strong.