Monday, February 1, 2010

Launch! Global Youth and Family Institute: U.S. site



The Global Youth and Family Institute is the primary way we are equipping and encouraging ministers around the world to lead the church in engaging the emerging generation.

The goal is to equip missionaries, church planters, youth ministers, and lay leaders through strategic sites around the globe.

We have launched sites in Japan and Hungary, and are working on launching sites in India and Colombia. We have more invitations than we can accept!

This past month we launched our U.S. site in partnership with Covenant Theological Seminary (St. Louis, MO).

By God's grace, nearly 40 leaders participated in a 4 day intensive training module titled: 'Theology of Global Youth and Family Ministry'. This is the first of three "Foundations" training modules we offer through the Institute.

Students from Covenant Seminary were able to take this course through the GYFI and receive 3 credit hours toward a concentration in Global Youth and Family Ministry in the MA or MDiv degree programs. In turn, those who complete our three Foundations courses will earn a certificate from the Global Youth and Family Institute.

The three GYFI Foundations courses are:
1. Theology of Global Youth and Family Ministry
2. Global Youth Culture, Development, and Discipleship
3. Global Youth and Family Ministry Models and Methods

I was blessed and encouraged by the insights, questions and passion of those who participated. It was obvious that God was at work through the week, fueling a heart for Christ and kids.

Please pray for our second foundations training course which will be offered later this month. Ask God to use the work of the Global Youth and Family Institute to train and deploy an army of men and women who will lead the global church in reaching the nations and the next generation!