Nazarene Theological Seminary

This summer, Nazarene Theological Seminary partnered with one of the nation's most innovative models of youth spiritual formation to offer an intensive class in youth spirituality. The class—Youth  Spirituality and Formation in Experiential Environments—incorporated a one week intensive at YouthFront's South Camp, and four weeks of online reflection to allow students opportunity to apply their new knowledge in their own ministry setting.

YouthFront, a national youth ministry training organization based in Kansas City, currently operates two summer camps that offer a unique combination of recreation and spiritual formation practices. Mike King, President of YouthFront, author of Presence-Centered Youth Ministry and nationally known leader in youth spiritual formation, facilitated the educational enterprise at the camp. Students stayed on-site providing them with opportunities to engage in intensive class sessions on youth spirituality and interact directly with youth participating at the camp, as well as to cultivate personal spiritual practices. The graduate students were also able to explore first-hand a new experiential curriculum that YouthFront is developing with Barefoot Publications for summer camp programs.

Graduate student Aaron Tiffany, youth pastor in Garnett KS, noted "I enjoyed every part of this class! My mind is racing with the knowledge (from the advance reading) I had coming into the course, and even more from what I am taking away from the class experience."

Rakmila Shaiza, an international Doctor of Ministry student taking the course as part of her larger study of urban youth spirituality, reflected on the meaning of the camp experience:

"I have learned so much from fellow students and from the teenagers that it would not be fair if I didn’t express this joy. I feel like YouthFront became a Jacob's Bethel for me and for many of the teens too. I came to camp with fears and did wrestle with God, but came home receiving many blessings. The teens helped me understand the deeper meaning of God’s love for us and for the world. So to sum up, our class this week was very formative and experiential. I have learned that our faith journey would not have meaning or joy without a community or friends to share our dreams, desires, visions, passion and struggles to live in God’s world."

Professor Dean Blevins, Director of the Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE) at NTS, noted that this course represents a series of new offerings in youth ministry at NTS. "Our partnership with Mike King and YouthFront represents the Seminary's ability to create first-class, intensive, course offerings for professional youth ministers as well as our on-campus graduate students.  Our goal includes innovative coursework in youth spiritual formation, urban youth ministry, and emerging ministry practice. Our MACE Degree allows for this flexibility but we also offer certificate and diploma programs that provide focused professional development. Classes like this one allow pastors a chance to break away and incorporate personal and professional renewal."