Dr. Troy W. Temple, Executive Director

The International Center for Youth and Family Ministry serves as the comprehensive training and networking arm of the institution for those called into youth ministry as a lifetime career. Youth ministry professors, coordinated curriculum, and field education function under the authority of the Executive Director to produce one of the most comprehensive programs in the country. In addition to partnering with ten local approved site churches, international strategic partnerships were established in Kenya, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Mexico in the pursuit of the goal to “recruit, train, place, and network local church youth leaders globally.

Objectives

The purpose of the International Center for Youth and Family Ministry is to prepare students to enter the career path of youth ministry in such positions as youth minister, para-church staff, and positions in adolescent social work and related fields.

The Strategic Youth & Family Ministry Model:

The ICYFM believes that effective youth & family ministry demonstrates five core values. It must be:

• Biblically & Theologically Grounded: affirming the God-ordained institutions of both the family & the local church.
• Missions Oriented: driving us to understand youth culture & prioritize an evangelistic discipling ministry to youth & their families.
• Local Church Structured: leading under the sovereign authority of Christ, we support the unique initiatives of the local church when accomplished through & under biblical authority.
• Pastor Led: serving as biblically qualified pastors as overseers & equippers in youth & family ministry.
• Family Focused: partnering with parents to effectively train their sons & daughters in the Word of God and become activley engaged in the mission of the church.