Church Relations
Youth Leaders
Welcome to the Youth Leaders page at Mount Vernon Nazarene University!
As a ministry of the Nazarene congregations of Ohio, West Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky, MVNU is grateful to partner with youth pastors and ministry leaders to support spiritual growth, engagement, and connection.
Here you’ll find resources, upcoming events, and opportunities designed especially for youth groups — including campus experiences, leadership events, and ways to bring MVNU to your students — all aimed at encouraging young people in their faith journey and strengthening your ministry efforts.
Earn Free MVNU Gear!
You can earn a free limited edition T-shirt and a picnic blanket if you do any of the following:
- Schedule a campus visit for your students.
- Bring your youth group to one of our campus events listed below.
- Host an MVNU visit at a youth group gathering or service. Both the Music and Ministry worship team and our Admissions Counselors are available.
Youth leaders, if you’re looking for the dates for this year’s MVNYou Mondays, click here. These have been built for your juniors and seniors (along with their parents) to get a glimpse into the MVNU Experience and ask any questions they may have about our campus.
Youth Leader Summit
March 26, 2026
The Gathering Place
425 S. Edgewood Road, Mount Vernon
Registration from 8:30-9 a.m., training from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Summit Cost: $40 (includes lunch)
Speaker: Cassandra Smith, Youth Pastor veteran & Founder of Change Your Narrative
Restoring Our Narrative: How ministry leaders can tackle mental health conversations — all while pointing to Jesus.
Session 1: Navigating Student Mental Health — Equipping leaders to engage in student mental health matters appropriately, and safely, while pointing youth towards their source of wholeness — Jesus.
Session 2: Unpacking Tough Topics — Offering space to discuss issues such as abuse, addiction, anxiety, bullying, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation — including first steps, practical response, and how to host conversations with your students, volunteers, or families.
Session 3: Restoring Our Soul — Diving into ministry leader wellness, caring for those on the ministry frontlines who may need space to attend to their own well-being.
Other Events
SonFest
Experience an amazing all-day lineup of Christian recording artists, fun activities, good food, and an awesome reminder of God’s love!
Clergy Kids Retreat
Since the 1st Clergy Kids (CK) Retreat, we’ve allowed large chunks of time for students to play, laugh, pray, relax, and hangout; in super-sized awesome suites; with great meals; and meaningful sessions of worship, story-telling, and small groups. The retreat is led by adult CK's who know intimately about the blessings, challenges, and joys of the CK life. Teen's lives are transformed through the retreat and lifelong friendships are formed. It’s amazing to watch God bring encouragement, healing, hope and new perspectives during our short time together.
Breakaway
Want your students to experience a day in the life of a Christian college campus? Applied and accepted students spend 24-hours in the shoes of an MVNU student. Stay in the dorms, attend class, eat in the cafeteria, worship in chapel, and meet future classmates and roomies.
MSO: Middle School Only
Youth groups and school groups of 6th-8th graders are invited to attend this action-packed, fun-filled event!
Music and Ministry
Our traveling music group, Transformed, is available for worship services, camps, retreats, teen gatherings and other special events.
Ministry Candidates and Interns
OK, so some of you are looking to hire a youth pastor. We've got some of the best candidates graduating this spring. And, youth leaders, you could use a little help during summer, right? Hire an MVNU student intern! For more information, contact Professor Jenn Ballenger, at jennifer.ballenger@mvnu.edu.