The Institute for Youth Ministry

Princeton Theological Seminary established the Institute for Youth Ministry in 1995, providing fertile ground where a new conversation about theologically informed youth ministry could take root and flourish. Committed to integrating theology and practice, the Institute for Youth Ministry (IYM) collaborates with church leaders, congregations, scholars, and young people to promote the strategic importance and practice of ministry with youth from early adolescence through college age. The IYM seeks to revitalize ministry with young people by helping the Church integrate youth ministry into the total mission of the congregation and by encouraging a theologically rich approach to this ministry.

The IYM initiates and integrates research related to the church’s mission with young people through offering programs, events, and resources for leadership development. Princeton Theological Seminary’s professors and doctoral students intersect with the work of the IYM through research in practical theology, as well as lectures at Forums, online classes and programs, and digital content.

Our Vision

We help Christian leaders know and love young people,
so that the whole church might participate in the transformative work of God in the world.

Our Staff

Abigail Visco Rusert | Director

Abigail has had the opportunity to work with youth on three continents and in six churches. Ordained in the PC (USA), she served most recently as the Associate Pastor at Carmel Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Abigail is a graduate of Valparaiso University (music/theology) and Princeton Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Thomas, live in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with their daughters, Dorothy and Solveig.

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Megan DeWald | Assistant Director

Megan has been a devoted practitioner of youth and young adult ministry in a variety of contexts and traditions, from camps and congregations to nonprofits and social movements. Prior to working at the Institute for Youth Ministry, Megan served as the Site Coordinator of the PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteer Program in Nashville, Tennessee. Believing in the power of personal story to transcend the boundaries we build between us, Megan is also a writer, poet, activist, and musician. She is a graduate of Houston’s University of St. Thomas (communication) and of Princeton Theological Seminary.

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Carmelle Beaugelin | Program Coordinator | Log College Project

Carmelle is the Program Coordinator for the Log College Project, a research grant directed by the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary. This project aims toward a deeper understanding of faithful and innovative forms of youth ministry for the 21^st Century. For her own experiment in innovative ministry, Carmelle designed and helped launch The Feed Truck Café, a small café ministry that mysteriously pops up in downtown Princeton throughout the semester, serving local high school, college, and graduate students. Carmelle has served as an interim children’s minister and youth leader in the local church. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Carmelle uses her theological training to bridge the gaps between pneumatology, spirituality, and the arts.

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Lindsey Trozzo | Administrative Support | Log College Project

Lindsey is passionate about making a difference in the world, especially alongside those who are vulnerable and oppressed. She loves the big heart today’s youth have for social justice, and she has served in various areas of youth ministry within Baptist, non-denominational, and PC(USA) churches. Lindsey has a Ph.D. in New Testament from Baylor University, is currently in the discernment process for ordination with the Alliance of Baptists, and teaches online courses in Biblical Studies at the university and seminary level. She and her partner Deborah enjoy cuddling with their pups, Belle and Abbot, being outside, playing games of all kinds, and cooking yummy food.

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Seminary Student Staff

Cogan Blackmon | Ashley Hamel | Brandon Schoeneweis

Mailing Address
Institute for Youth Ministry
Princeton Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 821 Princeton, NJ 08542-0803
Phone Number
609.497.7914

Contact the IYM

THE INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY