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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

As an intentionally Christian University, we integrate our faith into everything we do at MVNU. From prayer before class to exploring real-world moral and ethical dilemmas, we’ll teach you what it means to shine forth.

Travel

The School of Theology and Philosophy 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 School 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.

Family counseing

Hyson Campus Center

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

The first floor of Hyson Campus Center is home to the dining commons, President's Dining Room, The Recreation Equipment Center (The REC), Student Government Association, and the new student union.

On the second floor you will find the offices of Campus Ministries, Student Life, Counseling, Intercultural Learning and Engagement, Center for Global Engagement, the School of Christian Ministry, and the Education Department. Campus-wide activities such as Global Spotlights (pictured) take place in the lobby. Classrooms are found on both the second and third floors.

Check these majors out, too!

Worship Arts

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

Intercultural Studies

Prepare to make a difference in today’s multicultural world through both rigorous study and hands-on learning opportunities.

Minors that pair well

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