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Youth & Family Ministry Concentration

Fuel your passion for pointing kids and teens to Christ.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Ministry, Youth & Family Ministry Concentration

MVNU’s Christian Ministry major with a concentration in Youth and Family Ministry will give you the foundation needed to provide pastoral care and leadership to either children or teenagers, along with their families. Students in this program will receive both the academic and practical education provided by the Christian Ministry major, but will receive specialized focus and training through the concentration in either youth ministry or children’s ministry. Graduates will be equipped and ready to serve as youth pastors or children’s pastors in a local church ministry.

MVNU faculty are not only qualified academically, but also bring ministry experience to the classroom. With a variety of backgrounds in different ministry roles, and current ministry involvement, the faculty are well prepared to apply the principles of ministry in a relevant and practical way.

Practical ministry experience is a part of the program at MVNU. What you learn in the classroom will be applied in the context of a local church or ministry. Beyond the required practical experience, many internships and service possibilities are available for additional practical experience. Christian Ministry majors from MVNU are readily able to find placement in ministry positions and are serving in those roles successfully.

Curriculum

Explore a deep and wide ministry curriculum, designed to help you reach and disciple the next generation.

Faith & learning at MVNU

At MVNU, our Christian faith is at the core of everything we do. Whether it’s opening class with prayer, diving into Scripture, or examining real-world moral and ethical challenges, we’re committed to shaping students who live out their faith with purpose. Here, you won’t just learn — you’ll be transformed.

Travel

The Division of Christian Ministry offers annual opportunities to travel to countries significant to the Christian faith. Our most recent trips include:

2015 — Turkey and Greece, where students walked in the footsteps of Paul and visited the locations where many of the New Testament and early church events took place.

2016, 2019 — Israel and Jordan, where students walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the prophets. They saw for themselves the lands where their favorite Bible stories took place and experienced the culture and history of these important places.

2017 — Germany and Switzerland, where we walked in the footsteps of the Reformers and saw the places where Western tradition was deeply shaped.

Service Learning:
  • Belize (Tropical Biology)
  • Swaziland
  • Haiti
  • Croatia, Austria & Hungary
  • Italy
  • Spain, Portugal & France
  • Greater Columbus Area
  • Orlando
  • San Francisco
  • New Orleans
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Guyana
  • Guatemala

Scholarships

Need a little help with finances? We’ve got you covered. Explore scholarships, grants, and other resources to help you pay for your education.

There are over 30 endowed scholarships for students in the Division of Christian Ministry with a call to ministry. 

A Nazarene Ministerial Scholarship Program in which Nazarene ministry students can participate during their four years.

MVNU has many endowed scholarships available for students of a wide variety of backgrounds and majors.

Careers

The Christian Ministry major with a concentration in Youth and Family Ministry will provide excellent preparation for those intending to serve in local church ministry as youth pastors, children’s pastors, or family ministry pastors. The program also provides an excellent foundation for those intending to pursue further education in seminary or other graduate school.

YOUTH PASTOR

Serve middle school and high school students in a church environment.

CHILDREN'S PASTOR

Work with the littlest believers and help nurture their faith.

FAMILY PASTOR

Work with couples and families to support faith and development.

youth and family ministry MVNU Mount Vernon Nazarene University children's pastor

Hyson Campus Center

Hyson Campus Center MVNU Mount Vernon Nazarene University outside

The Division of Christian Ministry is located on the second floor of Hyson Campus Center — a centralized hub that merges academics and campus life.

Hyson Campus Center MVNU Mount Vernon Nazarene University cafeteria

The Dining Commons are located on the first floor of Hyson Campus Center. Pioneer College Caterers, Inc. provides numerous options, including a pizza bar, sub sandwich line, salad bar, grille line, and more.

Hyson Campus Center MVNU Mount Vernon Nazarene University REC

The Recreational Equipment Center (REC) is located on the first floor of Hyson and offers students a variety of sporting and outdoor activity equipment that can be checked out for FREE.

Hyson Campus Center MVNU Mount Vernon Nazarene University classroom

The third floor of Hyson Campus Center is devoted to classroom spaces.

Check these majors out, too!

Worship Arts

Demonstrate intentional, faith-filled expressions of worship that help usher people into the presence of God.

Urban Ministry

Live out your calling to pastoral ministry to serve in the heart of the inner-city.

Religion

Explore deeper facets of your own faith as you learn more about the faith of others through a Christ-centered lens.

Christian Ministry

Provide pastoral care and leadership in a wide variety of organizational settings and ministry positions.

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