Youth ministry info sheet

YOUTH MINISTRY

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The Dordt Difference Biblical At Dordt College, youth ministry is taught in the context of the biblical narrative. The story of God at work in the world informs and transforms our lives as disciples, making us better able to participate and give leadership in God’s world.

Theological In Jesus Christ, God is restoring and renewing creation. As we explore the Bible and theology, we see how God has been working in the world, which then helps us discern how God is working in the lives of young people today.

Congregational You’ll study historical and contemporary practices in youth ministry, with a focus on equipping members of congregations to be active participants in calling young people to discipleship.

Contextual Youth ministers must understand the cultural context in which young people live. We give our students the biblical and theoretical framework to prophetically critique culture and help build a God-honoring culture.

Missional We train youth ministers to be missional leaders. As people of God who are called and sent out, you will be prepared to engage culture as participants in God’s kingdom mission.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Dordt’s youth ministry program and faculty allowed me to wrestle with questions about belief, the Bible, ministry, and the Christian experience within a unique academic community intent on seeing me learn, develop, and grow into the best possible Christian leader. The program challenged me to question my assumptions and enrich my understanding and experience of the Bible, of theology, and of a purposeful Christian life. Through my studies at Dordt, I was continually faced with the Bible’s poignant and unapologetic relevance to my life as a student, friend, mentor, son of God, and brother in Christ.

Adrian de Lange (’11)

THE PROGRAM Young people today want answers to “why” questions and youth leaders can help them find some of those answers.

Dordt’s youth ministry program will help you become a servant-leader in youthrelated ministries in churches and faith-based organizations. You will leave with the tools and experiences to lead biblically centered youth ministry.

Dordt’s program grows out of the theology major curriculum. It includes biblical and theological courses as well as courses that focus on youth culture and issues, youth discipleship and evangelism, communication with young people, mentoring students, the function of the church, and leadership training.

Youth ministry majors participate in three practicums, which range from working with local youth groups to particpating in summer camps and summer church internships. Mentor meetings help you process successes and struggles as you prepare for future ministry.

Internship opportunities are also readily available. Several Dordt youth ministry majors have worked with YouthFront near Kansas City or Youthworks in Minneapolis. Both of these organizations offer programs that help connect teenagers to God, each other, and communities through life-changing Christ-centered mission trips and experiences.

GRADUATE TESTIMONIAL Tim Keep is a youth ministry graduate from Ontario, Canada, who transferred to Dordt College in his sophomore year because it offered more youth ministry courses than his previous college.

“Biblical studies courses, doctrinal courses, and other courses helped shape my vision for ministry,” says Keep. He appreciates the way theology classes, which informed and deepened his knowledge, were coupled with practical youth ministry classes to help him connect theory and practice.

Keep found the many internship opportunities helpful because they were coupled with debriefing times with professors and fellow students. Working in campus ministries gave him practical ministry experience in a safe learning environment. He says he was blessed with great teaching and mentoring.

“Another helpful factor was the financial aid package I received,” said Keep. “Dordt helped me be able to afford to come, providing grants and scholarships.”

Today, Keep is minister of youth discipleship at First Christian Reformed Church in Visalia, California.

“A year and a half into my job, I still refer to books and material from classes at Dordt. I learned to do youth ministry but, perhaps more importantly, I learned the importance of growing as a Christian person and allowing that to overflow into my work.”

THE FACULTY Aaron Baart, M.Div., Regent College. Dean of chapel, has served as a pastor of church plants in Canada and the United States. Provides direction for spiritual growth across campus, supervision for missions opportunities, and leadership for the worship arts program and campus worship events.

Aaron.Baart@dordt.edu Wayne Kobes, Ph.D., Florida State University. Pre-seminary advisor and area leader for history, philosophy, and theology.

Wayne.Kobes@dordt.edu Benjamin Lappenga, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary. Teaches Bible courses and specializes in biblical languages and theological interpretation. Before his academic career, Dr. Lappenga volunteered with homeless youth in downtown Seattle and wrote and performed in a rock band.

Benjamin.Lappenga@dordt.edu Jason Lief, Ph.D., Luther Seminary. Helps coordinate practicum and internship opportunities for youth ministry students. He has given presentations to teachers, youth leaders, and churches on popular culture and a Christian approach to teaching and learning.

Jason.Lief@dordt.edu Jay Shim, Ph.D., Calvin Theological Seminary. Member of the Christian Reformed Church’s synodical ministerial candidacy committee and multicultural liason for the Christian Reformed denomination for many years. Shim was previously dean of research and professor of theology at Cheonan University in Seoul.

Jay.Shim@dordt.edu July 2015