Leon Wirth is executive director of parenting and youth at Focus on the Family and has been active in family ministry for over 15 years. At Focus, Leon speaks, writes, and develops ministry initiatives related to parenting, children and teens. His responsibilities include co-hosting the new Dad Matters podcast with Dr. Greg Smalley, overseeing the Make Every Day Count campaign, the Plugged In Online website, the children's magazines Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr., and partnerships MOPS, John Trent’s Blessing Challenge and the film Courageous. He also serves as a spokesperson on issues related to parenting and represents Focus on the Family by serving on the board of the Fatherhood CoMission. He recently co-authored the book The One Year Father-Daughter Devotions for Tyndale House Publishers with Focus editors Jesse Florea and Bob Smithouser.
At his home church fellowship, Leon has led AWANA groups, adult Sunday school classes, youth group Bible studies, and youth conferences. Prior to joining Focus, Wirth worked in Christian publishing, communications, and ministry leadership with several organizations, including the Christian Book Association (CBA) and Outreach of Hope (now called Endurance with Dave Dravecky).
Leon knows the pains felt and the grace required from growing up in a less-than-ideal family situation, having experienced divorce twice in his family between preschool and middle school. It’s part of what drives him to learn to be a better dad and help other dads along the way. Leon is passionate about Focus on the Family’s goal "to come alongside parents and equip them to train up the next generation with a transformational Christian faith." He says there are complexities and challenges within the parenting process, but wants moms and dads to realize that it's not rocket science. Faithfulness and consistency, he says, can have a lasting impact on children.
Leon attended Victory Christian School from kindergarten through high school in St. Louis, Missouri and has a fond heart for Christian education. He went on to receive an undergraduate degree from Southwest Baptist University, and a master's degree in communications from Wheaton College. He and wife, Michelle, live in Colorado Springs, Colo., along with their eight daughters. As parents, they work hard to be unified and intentional in their discipline, encouragement and in their understanding of each of their girls.
The Wirths are also strong believers in fostering their daughters’ creative endeavors, which include writing music, stories and plays. The family enjoys cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals every year, music, hiking, and camping.