“The Youth Ministry Institute was literally one of the best things that could have ever happened to me in ministry! I went into Youth Ministry without a ministry degree and this program really equipped me to bring the BEST to my ministry.”
“The YMI is a significant and practical way to grow top notch leadership to serve in youth ministry. Unlike any other opportunity the focus leads to holistic strengthening of the leaders who participate. The results are outstanding.”
David McEntire Lakeland, Florida Senior Pastor YMI Instructor
“The Youth Ministry Institute gave me the knowledge through hands-on learning and peer-to-peer sharing, not to mention the accountability with other youth pastors, that helped me develop my God given ability and gifts to become a better youth pastor.”
David Benson Athens, GA 2008 YMI Graduate
“YMI is an innovative means of delivering high-quality substantive theological training for those on the front lines of ministry in our culture. YMI prepares women and men to serve well in this Kingdom-strategic work.”
Brian Russell Orlando, Florida Asbury Seminary Faculty YMI Instructor
“Without YMI the transition from college into the real world of youth ministry would have been impossible. The program provided me with the support and love I needed for success within ministry.”
“If you are looking for a way to stop youth worker turnover YMI has the answer! Youth ministers, new or seasoned, will learn strategies to help develop a sustainable ministry and lead students to Christ.”
Art Robin Smyrna, Georgia Youth Minister YMI Instructor
“If it were not for the education, relationships, and support from YMI, I would have quit ministry years ago.”
Dan Segale Brandon, Florida 2009 YMI Graduate
“YMI is an opportunity to be trained and equipped for your call while being mentored on the job in a community that loves and supports you! Who could ask for anything more?”
Dietrich “Deech” Kirk Executive Director Center for Youth Ministry Training Nashville, TN
“Learning side by side with other youth ministers who really have a heart for changing teens hearts was really the best part of YMI for me. The relationships I built with other youth directors in those two years I know will be shared for the rest of my life!”
“The Youth Ministry Institute is on the leading edge of developing youth leaders who will impact and change the lives of kids today like few ministries can.”
Joel Lusz Melbourne, Florida Youth Minister YMI Instructor YMI Coach
“In combining hands-on training with challenging academics, the Youth Ministry Institute is an invaluable program that thoroughly prepared me for a lifetime of ministering to teenagers.”
Ethan Smith 2008 YMI Graduate
“The Youth Ministry Institute understands the vital need to provide Youth Pastors with the skills, strengths and passion that they need in order to be effective in Youth Ministry, as well as a peer group that offer continuous encouragement and support!”
Kirk Dana Lakeland, Florida Youth Minister YMI Coach
“YMI is an amazing blessing to ministry with youth. It equips those who are called to pour their lives into students and helps them on that journey. God is working in powerful ways through YMI and I am thankful to be part of it.”
Andy Cartee Auburn, AL Former Youth Minister and YMI Coach
“YMI has been an absolute blessing. Meeting and learning with like minded spiritually motivated individuals has changed the way I do ministry and improved my life.”
Manu Bhatnagar Plantation, Florida Youth Minister Class of 2011
“I love YMI! The training and development that the Institute does with youth leaders today is exactly what the church and students need!”
Joel Lusz Melbourne, Florida Youth Minister YMI Instructor YMI Coach
“The confidence YMI has given me is second to none.”
Dan Segale Brandon, Florida 2009 YMI Graduate
“YMI is designed with you in mind. It is a great way to learn from the pros and come away come away equipped, empowered, and excited about ministry with students.”
Art Robin Smyrna, Georgia Youth Minister YMI Instructor
Whether you just graduated from college, are starting a second career or have been a youth minister for a number of years, the Youth Ministry Institute has a great deal to offer you. Quickly, you will see that the two-year program is more than a short course on how to lead a Bible study or organize a retreat. All of the elements work together with the youth minister, supervising pastor and church to create excellence in youth ministry at each local church. To apply, a youth minister must be currently serving as a youth minister (paid or volunteer) in a local church.
The two-year curriculum consists of over 300 hours of classroom instruction on a variety of topics taught by expert faculty in multiple settings. The format encourages the immediate application of learning in each local church. Course selections and the schedule for this academic year are available to download on the right.
The two-day Retreat – Usually offered monthly on a Monday and Tuesday, classes are taught in a workshop format (3-5 per retreat). Each workshop is taught by a different faculty member sometimes focusing on a pre-assigned text.
The Conference – The Youth Ministry Institute travels to four different conferences over the two-year period, sampling the variety of learning environments at the best youth ministry conferences in the country.
The Intensive – Twice per semester, a theology professor will teach on one of four core theological courses for a week, Monday through Friday.
Receive 15 hours of graduate or undergraduate credit through Youth Ministry Institute’s partnership with Southwestern College.
Coaching
Excellence is dependant upon relationships. While participating in the Youth Ministry Institute, each youth minister is assigned a coach who has at least ten years of youth ministry experience. Participants meet with their coaches monthly and are able to contact them with questions or concerns at any time. The supervising pastor has direct access to the coach with scheduled interviews taking place once per quarter. This accounts for a total of 120 hours of coaching for the church.
Personal development, a key factor in being effective, encourages youth ministers to rise to the level of excellence through self examination using ten core competencies developed by Human eX Ventures. An objective assessment interview at the beginning and end of the two-year period measures the capacity with which youth ministers are utilizing each core competency.
Personal Connections
The Youth Ministry Institute values personal connections with other youth ministers in Florida and all over the country. Participants in YMI will establish connections with each of their instructors and fellow YMI participants (past and present), expanding their network of support exponentially.
The largest youth ministry consulting firm in the United States provides a three day assessment for each church participating in the Youth Ministry Institute resulting in recommendations plugged into an 18 month timeline.
Certification
Youth ministers that complete the requirements of the Youth Ministry Institute will become certified.
Southwestern College
Youth Ministry Architects