Recognizing the strategic role of the youth minister in the spiritual development of young people (middle school, high school and college), William Jessup University offers a major in youth ministries. The purpose of the Youth Ministry program is to reach the next generation by preparing students to evangelize and disciple youth and their families. Students graduating from this program will have entry-level knowledge and skills appropriate for service as full-time professional youth workers in churches, parachurch organizations, and other agencies engaged in ministering to youth; students will be prepared for further professional study in seminary or other graduate schools.
William Jessup University expects the student who graduates with a degree in Youth Ministry to demonstrate:
- ability to devise, discuss, and defend a personal philosophy of Youth Ministry that is both biblically formulated and developmentally appropriate;
- ability to develop a ministry to youth in a church or parachurch organization in diverse socio-cultural settings;
- ability to assist adolescents and their families in problem-solving and decision-making;
- preparedness to stay current in youth culture;
- exposure to models of effective youth ministries through internships, guest lecturers, and field trips;
- ability to recruit, nurture, and mentor teenage leaders and adult volunteer staff;
- preparedness for service in a leadership role and function as part of a team/staff;
- ability to prepare and deliver sound and effective teaching to youth and to continue in life-long learning;
- preparedness to provide a good Christian example as a student of scripture.
