OUR MISSION

Fuller's Center for Youth and Family Ministry (CYFM) exists to translate RESEARCH into RESOURCES that TRANSFORM youth and family ministry.

RATIONALE FOR THE MISSION

Every day in the United States and around the world, dedicated youth and family workers minister to hurting kids and their families. Currently, most of their work tends to be shaped by either past habits or anecdotal evidence. For the sake of the Kingdom of God as well as wise stewardship of the Gospel, these youth and family workers need innovative models and practices that reflect current research on the ever-changing landscape of youth, families, and culture. 

At CYFM we take these needs seriously, translating research into practical resources that youth workers in local churches and parachurch ministries can utilize in their ministry contexts.  Led by Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director, the Center publishes books, articles, downloadable audio resources, and curriculum for youth workers.  In addition, we have created a unique Certificate in Urban Youth Ministry program—the first of its kind in the nation—that trains urban youth workers while allowing them to remain in their place of ministry. 

UNIQUE VALUES THAT PERMEATE EVERY PROJECT

• Interdisciplinary collaboration among Fuller's Schools of Theology, Psychology, and Intercultural Studies faculty and students.
• Reciprocal learning that allows the academic world to learn from the ministry world, and vice versa.
• Strategic partnerships with key ministry leaders and organizations to maximize both learning and the final dissemination. Existing partners include World Vision, Young Life, Youth for Christ, Urban Youth Workers Institute, Youth Specialties, and the Christian Community Development Association.

HOW WE WORK

Each CYFM project is designed so that researchers, leaders, and frontline youth ministry practitioners learn together.  In every step, the needs and experience of leaders shape the focus and methods of the research.

Step 1: LISTEN – CYFM gathers input from leaders and educators to identify the most pressing research and resource needs.

Step 2: RESEARCH – Based on those findings, CYFM works with churches, parachurch and community organizations, universities, and other key leaders to do in-depth analysis of the issues shaping youth, families and culture.

Step 3: SHARE – CYFM shares and applies its research findings broadly through practical resources such as:

Step 4: EVALUATE – CYFM evaluates its work and refines its resources so they can be effective worldwide.

Please visit our FAQ page for other Frequently Asked Questions about CYFM and what we do.

CYFM LEADERSHIP

The Center for Youth and Family Ministry is led by Kara Powell, its Executive Director. For more information about Kara Powell and our staff, please visit our Staff page.

The deans of the three schools at Fuller Seminary are committed to and involved in the vision and mission of CYFM, and serve on our Executive Committee:

• Winston E. Gooden, PhD, Dean of the School of Psychology
• Howard J. Loewen, PhD, Dean of the School of Theology
• C. Douglas McConnell, PhD, Dean of the School of Intercultural Studies

The following faculty members serve on the CYFM Executive Committee:

• Chapman “Chap” Clark, PhD, Professor of Youth, Family and Culture and Director of PhD and DMin Programs in Youth and Family Ministry
• James Furrow, PhD, Associate Professor of Marital and Family Therapy and co-Director of the Center for Research in Child and Adolescent Development
• Jude Tiersma Watson, PhD, Associate Professor of Urban Mission

The following faculty members serve as partners in CYFM's research:

• Mari Clements, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology
• Cheryl Crawford, Adjunct Instructor in Youth, Family, and Culture
• Cynthia Eriksson, PhD, Researcher in the Headington Program in International Trauma and Assistant Professor of Psychology
• Pamela Ebstyne King, PhD, Assistant Professor of Family Studies
• Cameron Lee, PhD, Professor of Family Studies
• Linda Wagener, PhD, Associate Dean of the School of Psychology and co-Director of the Center for Research in Child and Adolescent Development

Finally, CYFM has an Advisory Council of committed youth workers, organizational leaders, and Fuller Trustees who assist the Center in maintaining its commitment to fulfill our mission.