The establishment of this important Center at Fuller Seminary has been a dream come true for me.  Fuller has a long history of commitment to serving young people and their families.  CYFM, however, has added something quite new to this mix.  Under the leadership of Dr. Kara Powell we have now made significant progress in integrating all of the strands—ministry, psychology and intercultural studies—into a coherent and coordinated focus on the needs of young people and their families.  One reason why I find this so exciting is that this means that Fuller, as a world-class institution for theological, psychological, and intercultural studies, is doing something that is both urgent and unique in the world of Christian higher education. And, we are doing it in close partnerships with churches, social agencies, and para-church ministries.

I can think of no more urgent need for the cause of the Gospel than reaching the younger generation for Christ.  Youth around the world face unprecedented challenges and opportunities, but they are also threatened by destructive forces—spiritual and physical—that were unknown to previous generations.  The needs are complex, and they require the combined talents of scholars and practitioners who are dedicated to the goals of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  CYFM is an important instrument for the Kingdom.
—Richard J. Mouw
President, Fuller Theological Seminary

I am literally shaking with excitement about the new One Life Curriculum created by CYFM (no, seriously, I’m shaking – I just finished reading it through). I’ve been passionate, personally, about the impact One Life can have on both Africa and the youth groups who participate; but, to be able to offer a theologically-grounded, researched, practical – and FREE! – curriculum for youth groups is thrilling. This seriously ups the ante on the potential transformative process of One Life involvement; but, really, it ups the ante on youth ministry curriculum in general!
—Mark Oestreicher
President, Youth Specialties

As a youth worker who’s in it for the long-haul, I want resources that are beyond fun and games.  I want resources that are tested, researched, and thoughtfully designed for my ministry.  CYFM is unlike any other ministry resource center I’ve seen.  They do the hard, significant work of uncovering what’s going on under the surface in students, families, and youth ministry across the country.  I can trust the resources they produce.  In fact, my ministry is using the One Life Curriculum to base our winter retreat around!  I couldn’t be more excited about the impact of CYFM!
—April Diaz
Student Ministries Pastor, Newsong Community Church
Irvine, CA

With a history of innovative education, Fuller Theological Seminary is in a position to reach leaders in urban centers throughout the United States.  Fuller’s Urban Youth Ministry Certificate provides a contextualized learning experience that is strengthening such urban leaders.   As an organization, Urban Youth Workers Institute is committed to collaboration in this strategic program of Fuller’s Center for Youth and Family Ministry because we believe that it is a strategic asset for educating urban leaders.
—Kirk Scott
Director of Learning Communities for Urban Youth Workers Institute

I envision CYFM becoming the premier youth ministry training center in the world. Fueled by the best learning emerging from all three of Fuller Seminary's schools (School of Theology, School of Psychology & School of Intercultural Studies), the Center is proving its ability to translate the best scholarship into transformative ministry resources.

Working alongside other leading organizations, the Center's commitment to partnering relationships also helps ensure its resources can be accessed by any youth worker—anywhere. As a Fuller alum, it is exciting to be apart of a such a collaborative and innovative effort. As a youth worker it is exciting knowing I am receiving the best training that is available.
—Mark Maines
Youth Worker and Fuller MDiv alumnus

The Urban Youth Ministry Certificate Program is very relevant—it made me think more holistically in our ministry approach. We've been looking more deeply at the student as a whole. Personally, the training has allowed me to grow inner strength—to step outside of my box and do more things than I would have imagined in youth ministry.
—Theresa Willis
Youth For Christ, Compton, CA

In our ministry context, we have had a difficult time finding resources that are useful and speak to the needs we are facing... CYFM has been incredibly helpful in our pursuit of relevant and intelligent ministry resources for students who are urban and suburban, rich and poor, churched and unchurched. They do not just present great information, but also great relationships. CYFM has become one of our deepest ministry partners who know and care about us.
—Jeff Mattesich and Albert Tate
Lake Avenue Church, Southern California

Urban Youth Workers Institute has benefited greatly from the research and knowledge of CYFM in regards to urban ministry in America.  CYFM developed the ‘Teaching Urban Youth about Good Sex’ curriculum for our 20 city RELOAD tour in 2005/2006, "Helping Kids, Families, and Communities who Hurt," for the 06/07 RELOAD, and provides a vital presence at our national conference helping urban leaders to better understand the critical issues their kids face everyday in their communities.
—John Lewis
Urban Youth Workers Institute Director, Southern California

Deep Ministry in a Shallow World is both thought provoking and practical, taking youth workers to a place where we have to ask ourselves the tough questions (which the book itself provides). Kara Powell and Chap Clark do a great job researching what youth ministry has looked like and how we can bring it and our students to a more fulfilling and meaningful place.
—Megan Hutchinson
Author and High School Minister at Saddleback Church

Mentoring, developing and ministering to youth and their families is the highest calling there is.  They are our future.

The need for solid information on our youth, what they face in the world, and what works in their lives is acute.  That is why I am so excited about the Center for Youth and Family Ministry.  They are providing information and resources for youth and family ministry leaders that will change the face of our culture and the Body of Christ for the better.

The Center for Student Missions seeks to sensitize young people to the needs in our world and how they can be part of the solutions right now.  CYFM's One Life Curriculum—just one example of their ongoing work—takes our baby steps and multiplies them exponentially as they empower youth and adults to make a real difference in Africa and throughout the world.  These guys are for real, and I'm thrilled to support and encourage their mission.
—Noel Becchetti, President
Center for Student Missions

I started the Urban Youth Ministry Certificate Program knowing that there is always more I can learn in regards to ministering in the city, especially to youth. Already in these classes I have been so grateful for the ways my thinking has been challenged and expanded, and as I sit in class I can think about all of the youth I work with in Chicago who I can go back to, refreshed and re-energized and re-envisioned for my ministry to them. I am so excited to think about the ways that this time could bring more fruit to bear in their lives for their own walks with Jesus and their service in the world. Thank you for helping to make that possible!
—Aimee Tucker
Area Director for Hyde Park Urban Young Life, Chicago IL

Fuller’s College Transition Project will provide the research-based answers we need to set students on a trajectory of Christian faith and service that lasts throughout their lifetimes.  Our Guiding Coalition has now grown to 25 member organizations, including InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Chi Alpha, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Navigators, the National Network of Youth Ministry, Mission America, Young Life, and Youth for Christ.  We estimate given our current members that Fuller’s findings and resources will impact the leadership philosophies of 53,000 high school and college adult leaders, who work with 2,800,000 high school and college students.
—Jeff Schadt
President, Youth Transition Network

As part of the national leadership for Urban Young Life, I work with a team that helps serve and empower Young Life’s 300 paid urban staff as well as our 2000 urban volunteers nationwide.  We consistently hear from these dedicated youth workers that they are hungry for more training.  While there is no shortage of resources for suburban youth workers, very little exists that was written by urban youth workers, for urban youth workers. 

Several key Young Life executive leaders and I have been in dialogue with Kara Powell and Fuller’s Center for Youth and Family Ministry for the past three years.  Given Fuller’s vast expertise in theological, psychological, and cultural issues and Fuller’s partnerships with ministries like Young Life, the Urban Empowerment Project is making a unique and needed contribution to the field of urban youth ministry.  CYFM research and resources are meeting many of the training and support needs of our Young Life staff.  We are eagerly circulating Fuller’s research findings and implications to our urban staff and volunteers nationwide. 
—Jim Dyson, 
Vice President for Urban Ministry, Young Life

I found CYFM's Short-Term Missions Think Tank wonderfully encouraging and affirming.   The timing of the think tank was particularly helpful to me personally, as I have just taken a new position at a church that has incredible passion, commitment and focus on missions, both short and long term.  There is great openness to evaluating what we are doing and why with an eye toward increasing our effectiveness for the Kingdom.   Not only did CYFM’s work provide greater credibility to my input, but it also provided some of the language.

I believe CYFM has facilitated a potentially significant catalyst for the Kingdom for the next several decades of short-term missions, and, I pray, for eternity.  I believe the concurring testimony of the participants was clear. Thank you for making it happen.
—Hal Hamilton
Youth and College Team Leader, First United Methodist Church
Tulsa, OK

CYFM’s Short Term Missions Think Tank was encouraging and challenging for me personally and for our organization as we try to evaluate our effectiveness in serving the Church and communities through short term missions.  I particularly appreciate the leadership, thoughtfulness and focused intentionality that you each brought to both the preparation for and interaction during our time together.  I am confident that our meetings will have a significant impact on how YouthWorks engages in short term mission efforts as we have already begun discussions based on many of the themes that were addressed.      

Thank you again for your leadership in creating a forum for this important conversation!
—Todd Bratulich
Mission Director, YouthWorks!, Inc.