Youth Ministry Leaders Resourced at CIU

Youth Ministry Leaders Resourced at CIU

Stuart Hall

By Tim Caiello

CIU Student Writer

Columbia International University not only trains future leaders, but also equips current leaders.

That’s why the Youth Ministry, Family & Culture Department at CIU hosted a two-day Resource Conference for youth ministry leaders in February.  The highlight of the Resource Conference was guest speaker Stuart Hall from Atlanta.  

Hall is best-known for his work with the Orange; a youth ministry curriculum designed to better integrate parents into the youth ministry setting.  He is also known for his work with DASH Inc, a non-profit organization focused specifically on training students to be peer influences.

Many at the conference concurred with Hall that one of the prime challenges facing youth ministers is overlooking the role of parents.  Hall said that his views of parental involvement shifted dramatically when his own children become teenagers.

“Parents as the primary influencers in their children's lives should ideally be the first line of input and instruction,” Hall said.

Hall challenged the youth ministers to be intentional about coming alongside and seeking out parents rather than trying to impact the kids in their youth groups alone.

For more on CIU's Youth Ministry, Family & Culture Program visit: /undergraduate/bachelor-science/youth-ministry-family-culture .