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ABOUT

About the Forum

Thirty years ago, a group of Christian leaders committed to ministry with young people imagined a future where theologians and ministry leaders were part of a dynamic learning community that formed thoughtful, just, and creative ministries with teenagers. The result of this collective dreaming became the Institute for Youth Ministry (IYM) at Princeton Theological Seminary, and since 1995, the IYM has helped shape the theory and practice of youth ministry around the world. The IYM is honored to invite you to join us for the 2025 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry, where we will celebrate the incredible milestone of 30 years of impact. 

Alongside opportunities for celebration, the 2025 Forum will invite participants into deep reflection on the role that celebration plays in ministry with young people. In a time of great uncertainty and distrust, youth ministry can be a safe place that celebrates, affirms, and bears witness to the lived experiences of young people. As those formed by practices that celebrate God’s work in the world through Jesus Christ, Christians are well equipped to help young people know and celebrate that they belong to God – no matter what.

What is the Forum on Youth Ministry?

The Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is an annual gathering of people in the church, the academy, and the world who are committed to cultivating and caring for the Christian faith of young people. Designed around a theme that inspires the conversation and content each year, the Forum is a place where people of all demographic and denominational backgrounds come together to learn from and encourage one another. Less of a conference that teaches “how-to,” the Forum is a creative hub where people gather to ask “how come?”

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OFFERINGS

Workshops

Full event participants will be assigned a workshop group (communicated at check-in) that will remain consistent throughout the Forum. Each workshop group will stay together in their assigned classroom as each of the three workshop leaders teaches their workshop in rotation. One-Day Passholders will not be pre-assigned to a workshop and are free to join whichever group they’d like on their participation day.

Led by Rev. Dr. Drew Dyson

At the IYM, we believe that young people matter to God, and we know that God matters to many young people. In light of this, how might youth ministry be a site of celebration, affirmation, and belonging? In this workshop, Drew Dyson will draw from his decades of experience as a minister and community leader to explore how sacred moments and rites of passage can transform young people—and all people—as they move throughout the life cycle. By creatively [re]interpreting and [re]imagining Christian ritual today, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to bear witness to the truth in young people’s lives in a time when truth is invaluable. 

Led by Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon

At the IYM, we celebrate the prophetic vision and voice of young people, who experience the world with fresh perspectives that help us know God in new ways. As we heed their calls for justice and peace, how might youth ministry cultivate communities of resistance to oppression and violence? In this workshop, Traci Blackmon will draw upon her experience as a minister and activist to help youth ministry leaders embody their responsibilities to “pray with their feet” in acts of faith and solidarity with young people. Embracing this ethic, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to celebrate the passion of young people who understand that, even on the night he was betrayed and arrested, Jesus threw a dinner party. 

Led by Rev. Dr. Darlene Hutto

At the IYM, we have long known that games and parties in youth ministries do far more than pass the time in an entertaining way. Fun in youth ministry can be transformative, leading to lasting relationships grounded in joy and faith in Christ. In this workshop, Darlene Hutto will draw upon her experience as a designer and facilitator of sacred encounters to help youth ministry leaders explore spiritual practices for Christian discipleship. While accompanying young people on their journeys of self-discovery and vocational discernment, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to practice celebration as a formative spiritual discipline with their young people. 

Small Groups

The Forum is designed to cultivate relationships among all people who attend—leaders, participants, students, and staff. Before the conference even begins, the IYM works behind the scenes to cultivate connection among event leaders and to discern how to build bridges between communities and ideas. Small groups at the Forum are one of the ways the IYM has successfully fostered friendships and strengthened networks in the past, and we are excited to offer this opportunity once again in 2025.  

Small groups will be introduced during the Opening Gathering, and small group sessions will be held during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church, & Culture

Since the IYM’s first Forum in 1996, the Forum has featured this distinguished lecture series, designed to foster original scholarship pertaining to youth ministry in the church and world. In 2025, Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean will deliver our first lecture on Tuesday morning, and Dr. Andrew Root will deliver our second lecture on Thursday morning.

LEADERSHIP

Jemimah Allen

Forum Chaplain

Megan DeWald
Megan DeWald

Director
Institute for Youth Ministry

Jeff Grant
Jeff Grant

Small Group Leader 

Jon Carl Lewis

Forum Chaplain

Larry Rogers

Farm Manager for the Farminary

Traci Blackmon

Workshop Leader
Celebration as Activism

Drew Dyson
Drew Dyson

Workshop Leader
Celebration as Ritual

Nancy Gross

Preacher

Elizabeth “Liz” Moore
Elizabeth “Liz” Moore

Assistant Director of the IYM

Andrew Root

Princeton Lecturer in Youth, Church, and Culture

Elizabeth Steel
Elizabeth Steel

Instructor, PTS Forum Class

Chris Curtis

Ministry Coach

Kayli Freeman
Kayli Freeman

Small Group Leader 

Rev. Dr. Darlene Hutto
Darlene Hutto

Workshop Leader
Celebration as Discipline

Michaela Putman-Kwon
Michaela Putman-Kwon

Small Group Leader

Nathan Stucky
Nathan Stucky

Director of the Farminary

Abigail Visco Rusert

Worship Leader

Kenda Creasy Dean

Princeton Lecturer in Youth, Church, and Culture

Rev. Shannon Garrett-Doege
Shae Garrett-Doege

Small Group Leader

Mar Kyner
Mar Kyner

Administrative Assistant of the IYM

Aaron Rogers
Aaron Rogers

Small Group Leader

Angellica Sweat
Angellica Sweat

Program Coordinator for the IYM

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Event Schedule

Event Location

The Forum on Youth Ministry is held on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in the beautiful and historic town of Princeton, New Jersey. Roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia (and their associated airports), the town is home to cultural institutions like Princeton University, the Albert Einstein House, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the Princeton Battlefield. Participants at the Forum enjoy the leafy dining and retail spots along Nassau Street and Palmer Square, as well as scenic walks through the Seminary and University campuses. 

Princeton Theological Seminary is located at 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Parking is available for Forum participants behind the Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library at 25 Library Place. Accessible parking spaces are situated along the northeast exterior wall of the library. Alternatively, participants who need accessible parking may park in the lot adjacent to the Mackay Campus Center off the College Road entrance to the Seminary campus. Parking passes will be emailed to participants who indicate their need for one in their event registration and will also be available at Forum check-in. 

The Erdman Center

Located on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary at 20 Library Place, the Erdman Center has 55 simple guest rooms, priced from $75-$135/night, including six ADA-complaint rooms with various accessibility features. (Note: If booking an accessible room, please call to confirm your room requirements to ensure the best room assignment to suit your needs.) A locked room to store your luggage is available at your convenience. Please call 609-497-7990 to reserve your room, and mention the Forum on Youth Ministry to be included in our reserved participant block.

The Hilton Garden Inn

Located only five miles from campus at 1300 Lennox Drive, Lawrence Township 08648, the Hilton Garden Inn is our preferred off-campus hotel for Forum participants. Check-in is at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am. The on-site restaurant includes breakfast service, and the facilities include an indoor pool, fitness center, and free parking. Use this link to reserve your room in the discounted Forum lodging block, or call 609-895-9200 and use Group Code PSYFOR. Please note: You are responsible for your transportation to/from PTS campus. Discounted group rate ends March 28, 2025. 

Please note that lodging is not included in your Forum registration fee. Please plan to make your own lodging arrangements. Feel free to contact the IYM if we can offer any assistance: 609-497-7914, iym@ptsem.edu.

We Honor the Land 

Princeton Theological Seminary sits on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Lenape people on territory called Lenapehoking.
The Lenni-Lenape were the people indigenous to this land, and we honor them as caretakers of these lands and waters.
The IYM acknowledges our responsibility to work toward meaningful relationship with the Lenape people past, present, and future.

Tickets

Join us for 3.5 days of celebration, workshops, small groups, and lectures. Tickets are available for full event attendees, as well as for Tuesday or Thursday One-Day Passes. Full event tickets include admission to the IYM Celebration Banquet on Thursday, May 1. One-Day Passholders may purchase additional admission ticket for banquet admission. Please click here to purchase a ticket to the banquet.

Attend the Forum in Full:

  • Super Early Bird Registration – Valid through August 1, 2024
    $299
  • Early Bird Registration – Valid through January 17, 2025
    $349
  • Standard Registration – Valid January 18-April 25, 2025
    $399

One Day Pass

  • Tuesday (4/29) or Thursday (5/1) 
    $99
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FAQs

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The IYM strives to make our events and resources as accessible and affordable as possible, but we are keenly aware that some participants may still need financial assistance. We regret that we do not yet have a scholarship fund available for participants in the Online Forum. However, if you are a degree graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary or if you are a CPE or Field Education Supervisor through PTS, you are eligible to receive a 15% discount on standard rate continuing education program fees. For the 2024 Online Forum, this applies to the individual registration of $79 only. Contact iym@ptsem.edu for details

We understand that life is unpredictable, and sometimes participants must cancel their plans to participate in an event. Therefore, our policy states that you can cancel your event registration up to one week (seven calendar days) prior to the Online Forum start date, and your fee will be refunded, minus a required $15 processing fee. Due to expenses already incurred after this date, we cannot offer any refunds for cancellations made within one week (six or fewer calendar days) of an event start date.

The Online Forum is a self-funded event, which means that the income from participant fees is allocated to cover event expenses, rather than a grant or PTS’s general operating fund. Currently, 35% of the income from participant fees is allocated toward the speaking fees and expenses incurred for our external leaders. An additional 25% of the income funds our promotional efforts. Another 20% of the income funds operational costs, including the online event platform and PTS staff. The final 20% generates revenue, which ultimately allows the IYM to continue offering resources, programs, and events for our audience.

Absolutely! We welcome people from all over the world to participate in the event. Those who want to join synchronously are welcome to do so by calculating time differences and attending from anywhere. Those who want to participate but are unable to do so synchronously can still register and enjoy access after the event to all content, including lectures and workshops.

The IYM uses Airmeet, an online platform that allows us to host an immersive event experience with lectures, workshops, 1-1 networking opportunities, automatic session recordings and replays, and exhibit booths. We take full advantage of the platform’s features to create a dynamic learning experience for our participants. In the week before the Online Forum, we will provide a helpful event guide, which will include a brief orientation to the platform and some notes for troubleshooting technical difficulties.

Princeton Theological Seminary

Institute for Youth Ministry
P.O. Box 821
64 Mercer Street
Princeton, NJ 08542-0803

iym@ptsem.edu
609.497.7914

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The Institute for Youth Ministry

We form Christian leaders for thoughtful, just, and creative ministry with young people.

Copyright 2025 Princeton Theological Seminary | All Rights Reserved
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Jemimah Allen

Jemimah Allen (she/her) is the Director of Resources and Youth Work at Youthscape, overseeing Youthscape’s work in Luton and the Resources and Innovation team. Jemimah has worked with Youthscape since 2016, originally overseeing the work of Romance Academy, but moving into the Luton team in 2017 in order to have more face-to-face time with young people.

Before arriving at Youthscape, Jemimah led a mentoring charity in London having completed a degree in Youth Work and Ministry from Oasis College, London. She loves seeing churches come together to make a difference in the lives of young people so she coordinates Luton Unite, a local network that does exactly that. She is also the proud owner of Colin the camper van, her faithful travelling companion across the UK. Everybody needs to have a friend.

Megan DeWald

Megan DeWald

Megan (she/her) has directed the Institute for Youth Ministry since 2022, and she has brought her passion for community development and social justice to bear on how the IYM forms leaders to engage young people. Her primary responsibilities include stewardship of the IYM’s strategy, planning, finances, staff, research, assessment, and community, and she does this work in collaboration with committed stakeholders at Princeton Theological Seminary and beyond. Prior to this role, Megan served as the IYM’s Associate Director, where she designed and led multiple hybrid and online iterations of the IYM’s flagship Certificate in Youth and Theology program, developed the IYM’s online resources and podcast, co-hosted on-campus and online events, and piloted new initiatives to support youth workers.

With more than two decades of experience championing and working with youth and young adults, Megan has dedicated her professional life to creating safe and trustworthy communities of care where young people from all demographic, denominational, and social locations can belong, grow, and flourish. As a woman with lived experience as a second-generation American, a first-generation college student, and an LGBTQ+ person, she navigates her leadership with a vigilant analysis of privilege, oppression, systems, and structures, and she helps other leaders heal, embrace, and lead out of the complexities of their own identities and experiences.

Megan writes and speaks for national and international audiences and served as a collaborating author with Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster on the revised version of The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry published in 2023. Megan holds a BA in Communication from the University of St. Thomas, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School and GLEAN Network.

Jeff Grant

Jeff Grant

Jeff (he/him) is a Youth Director at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.  He has been a youth director for 4 years and has served in youth ministry off and on for over 30 years. He is also a South East Region Centralized Bereavement Coordinator for Genitive Hospice, where he has served for 15 years, with 25 years of total hospice ministry experience under his belt.  He is a corporate chaplain with Community Chaplain Outreach and  also a chaplain at AnMed Medical Center. Jeff received in IYM Certificate in Youth and Theology in 2022.

Jon Carl Lewis

Jon Carl Lewis (he/him) is a spiritual guide helping individuals and communities of faith (especially spiritual leaders and guides) contemplatively discern healthy sexual/relational practices and attitudes for themselves, those they love, and the communities in which they live out their gospel-shaped life. A candidate for the Master of Arts in Public Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, he brings theological and spiritual curiosity — and a deep respect for listening for the Holy Spirit in silence and in community — to explore healthy, justice-oriented, Jesus-centered and joyful ethical stances around sexuality, relating, and the body.

Larry Rogers

Larry Rogers serves as the inaugural Farm Manager at the Farminary at Princeton Theological Seminary. After growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Larry started farming during his undergraduate studies. He has been farming ever since, gaining experience in vegetable production, livestock, maple-sugaring, and permaculture at farms in North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, and Vermont.

In addition to his fifteen years of farming experience, Larry also brings to PTS a Master of Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School. Larry embraces his work as a kind of repentance for the stealing, killing, and destroying that too frequently permeate our world. He’s always grateful to conspire with neighbors who desire good work.

Rev. Traci Blackmon

The Rev. Traci Blackmon (she/her) is the former associate general minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, a position she held for eight years. Prior to that she was appointed acting executive minister for the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries in 2015 by the UCC Board; then elected to a full four-year term by General Synod in 2017, and reelected again by the UCC’s national gathering in 2021. Blackmon’s life work focuses on communal resistance to systemic injustice. She has spent the last two decades preaching and teaching a theology that consistently and unapologetically calls community to hear the cries of the suffering in the world. Prior to ordination, Blackmon served the community as a licensed registered nurse with an emphasis in critical care and community health. As part of this work, she developed a mobile unit health program targeting underserved and uninsured populations for BJC Healthcare System.  

Blackmon was appointed to the Ferguson Commission by Governor Jay Nixon and to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships for the White House by President Barack Obama. She is the recipient of many awards and honors and recognitions, including the White House Volunteer Service Award, the NAACP Rosa Parks Award; The Urban League of St. Louis Woman in Leadership Award; the Antoinette Brown award, and the National Planned Parenthood Faith Leader Award. She is a graduate of Leadership St. Louis and currently serves as an Auburn Senior Fellow, and a member of the 2023 Racial Justice & Religion Collective for the Aspen Institute. Blackmon is a Distinguished Alumnus of Birmingham Southern College who earned a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary, where she currently serves as theologian in residence. 

Drew Dyson

Drew Dyson

Drew Dyson (he/him) is a Princeton native and a two-time graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy in practical theology. Drew serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Modern Aging Princeton (CMAP), where he is to works with the board and staff to help older adults thrive. Drew loves how CMAP prioritizes relationships, developing inclusive community, and lifelong learning. Prior to this, Drew served for twenty-five years in an ecclesial setting in The United Methodist Church, where he is ordained clergy – as a local church pastor, seminary professor, denominational executive, and most recently as a district superintendent (regional supervisor) of more than seventy churches across central New Jersey. Drew is a highly regarded speaker and has written several books on theology and church leadership. Drew continues to engage in global leadership of The United Methodist Church, working for the past ten years as co-chair of Methodists for Full Inclusion, a group committed to creating safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. 

Drew is an avid Philadelphia sports fan (Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers) and loves to travel with his partner of thirty years, Diane, and play golf every chance he gets (which is never enough). In retirement, Drew hopes to travel broadly, spend more time with his four children and beautiful granddaughter, and engage in purposeful service for others.

Nancy Gross

Nancy Lammers Gross, MDiv, PhD, is the Arthur Sarell Rudd Professor of Speech Communication in Ministry and the Director of the Joe R. Engle Institute for Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary. She earned both her MDiv and PhD from Princeton Seminary. A member of the Academy of Homiletics, her areas of teaching interest include speech communication with special interest in assisting women to claim their voices, preaching, especially preaching from the Apostle Paul, and worship. An ordained Presbyterian minister, she has served churches in California and New Jersey, holding membership in the Presbytery of the Coastlands.  Nancy is the mother of two amazing daughters, proud grandmother of two, and joyfully lives with the consequences of her choices.  

Her choices:

an older lab mix dog
Elizabeth “Liz” Moore

Elizabeth “Liz” Moore

Liz (she/her) is the Assistant Director of the Institute for Youth Ministry, where she oversees the Certificate in Youth and Theology Program and develops training and resources for youth workers. Liz has more than a decade of experience in youth ministry and pastoral leadership, most recently as a church planter with the Vineyard. A sought-after teacher and preacher, Liz is passionate about listening prayer, sustainable ministry, and social change. Liz is also an accomplished cook and believes in the profound connection between ministry and hospitality. She holds a BA in Religious Studies from Trinity College in Connecticut and an MDiv from Duke Divinity School.

Dr. Andrew Root

Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul Minnesota. He is also the theologian in residence at Youthfont in Kansas City. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. He is the author of over 25 books. His most recent include Evangelism in an Age of Despair (Baker, 2025) and The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Baker, 2023).

Elizabeth Steel

Elizabeth Steel

Elizabeth Steel is a PhD candidate in Practical Theology in the area of Christian Education and Formation. She earned a BA in Art History from the University of Virginia and an MDiv/Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation from Princeton Seminary. Prior to doctoral work, Elizabeth owned a small business in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Elizabeth’s research focus at Princeton Seminary is located at the intersection of theology, art, and education, specifically exploring the necessary role that imagination plays in the Christian faith and how art and aesthetic education can cultivate this imagination and to what effect. She is also interested in the potential that radical imagination holds to move the church forward and to affect faithful social change.

Chris Curtis

Chris Curtis is the Chief Executive at Youthscape. He’s been working with young people for more than forty years, much of it leading Youthscape. Recently, his work has focused on helping churches get going in youth work and finding ways of placing young people at the heart of church life. Chris is married and lives in Luton where, in his spare time, he is a bit of a Mac nerd and member of the Magic Circle.

Kayli Freeman

Kayli Freeman

Kayli (she/her) is the Associate Pastor at Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, Pa. She was called to Union UCC in October 0f 2017 and has been working primarily with the youth in the congregation, along with a smattering of other pastoral responsibilities, ever since. Prior to being called there, she worked with youth programs throughout her time in seminary through internships. While growing up, she was an active member of her home congregation’s youth group and always knew youth ministry would be a passion of hers. In 2019, she had the honor and privilege of being part of Cohort-K(raken) in the IYM Certificate in Youth and Theology program. She has been attending the IYM Youth Forum ever since. She loves her youth, she loves God, and she loves iced coffee.

Rev. Dr. Darlene Hutto

Rev. Dr. Darlene Hutto

Rev. Dr. Darlene Marie Hutto serves as the Director for Community Engagement and Interim Director of Doctoral Initiatives for the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), Atlanta, GA. In her role at FTE she directs, facilitates and designs programmatic initiatives, accompanies and builds capacity in denominational and organizational leaders, journeys with undergraduate and graduate students in discernment and directs FTE’s Vocational Discernment work with the next generation of leaders who desire to serve the church and make a difference in the world.

She is a native of Charlotte, NC. Rev. Hutto was ordained as an Itinerate Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2005 and has served as an Associate Pastor, Youth Pastor and Campus Minister. Her life’s work is birthed from her passion for personal, communal and organizational transformation where she seeks to celebrate the gifts, knowledge and experiences of all creation God’s Kin-dom.

She earned a BA degree in Religion and Philosophy from Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH (2000), a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA (2007), and a Doctor of Ministry degree (Church Leadership and Community Witness) Emory University – May 2023.

Rev. Hutto served on the Board for The Academy of Young Preachers, Spelman’s Sisters Chapel Advisory Council and The Youth Theological Initiative and YTI IMPACT Advisory Board. Most recently, Rev. Hutto was inducted into the 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity Board of Preachers.

Michaela Putman-Kwon

Michaela Putman-Kwon

Michaela Putnam-Kwon (she/her) is the Children & Family Minister at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke, Virginia. She graduated in May 2022 with her Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation from Princeton Theological Seminary. During her time in Princeton, Michaela worked for the Institute for Youth Ministry in many different roles including the Certificate program, grant projects, and more. Michaela is originally from Minnesota and has a BA in Missional Ministries from Bethel University St. Paul. She is committed to supporting the mission of the Church and is passionate about uplifting, caring for, and ministering to children. Alongside her love for ministry, she also loves a good cup of coffee and exploring Korean food and culture with her husband, Kyle.

Nathan Stucky

Nathan Stucky

Nathan Stucky (he/him) serves as Director of the Farminary Project at Princeton Theological Seminary. He grew up on a farm in Kansas where his love for Christian faith and agriculture first took root. After earning a BA in Music from Bethel College (KS), Stucky spent six years doing ecumenical youth ministry on the eastern shore of Maryland, and two years farming back in Kansas. After farming, Stucky earned an MDiv and a PhD (Practical Theology, Christian Education and Formation) from Princeton Theological Seminary. His scholarship explores questions of land, ecology, theology, agriculture, justice, joy, and Sabbath as they relate to theological education. He is the author of Wrestling with Rest: Inviting Youth to Discover the Gift of Sabbath. Ordained in the Mennonite Church (USA), Stucky engages Farminary work as integral to his calling to teaching ministry. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with his spouse and three children.

Abigail Rusert

Abigail Rusert (she/her) is the Associate Dean for Continuing Education at Princeton Seminary. She is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served in a variety of roles in ministry, including associate pastor, youth director, chaplain, camp counselor, and most recently, as director of the IYM. Abigail is passionate about researching and designing programs that serve congregational leaders and transform Christian communities. A graduate of Valparaiso University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and a current PhD student, she is the co-author of the book Delighted: What Teenagers are Teaching the Church About Joy. Abigail and her husband, Thomas, have three kids—Dorothy, Solveig, and Frank—and live in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where Abigail serves as a small group leader at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean

Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean (she/her) is an ordained United Methodist pastor and the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her areas of specialization include Christian education and formation, adolescent spiritual formation, youth and young adult ministries, Christian social innovation, practical theology, and theories of teaching. She is the author of numerous books on young people and the church, including Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church, Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church, and Innovating for Love: Joining God’s Expedition Through Christian Social Innovation. In addition, Kenda is the co-founder of Ministry Incubators, a consulting group that helps Christian communities try new things through social innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the first and founding Director of the Institute for Youth Ministry from 1995-1998.

Rev. Shannon Garrett-Doege

The Reverend Shannon Garrett-Doege (she/her) is an ordained clergy woman in the United Church of Christ serving as senior minister at Smithfield United Church of Christ in downtown Pittsburgh. Additionally, she is the Youth Associate Minister of the Penn West Conference.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she is a prophetic preacher, compassionate leader and a gifted teacher. Deeply rooted in her culture and heritage, she often blends elements of literature, history, music, and pop culture into her pedagogy to reflect the diversity, dynamism, and depth of her theological imagination.

Rev. Shannon is an activist and an advocate for justice and joy for all, especially those on the margins.

Mar Kyner

Mar Kyner

Mar Kyner (they/them) is the Administrative Assistant for the Institute for Youth Ministry. Mar graduated in 2020 with their Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation from Princeton Theological Seminary. They are passionate about radical hospitality, social change, and fostering safe and welcoming communities where young people can flourish. 

Aaron Rogers

Aaron Rogers

Aaron Rogers is a passionate priest, pastor, and organizer based in St. Louis, MO. He received his B.S. from Bradley University, his MDIV from Eden Theological Seminary, a certificate in Youth and Theology from IYM and a diploma in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. Notably, Aaron has served as the Associate Minister of Stewardship and Development at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem NY and as the Associate to the Rector for Trinity in St. Louis. Currently, Aaron serves as rector of St. Stephen’s and the Vine in Ferguson, MO and as the Young Adult Ministry Developer for the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Additionally, Aaron serves as board chair for East Side Aligned, a collective impact organization for children and youth in East Saint Louis, IL.

Angellica Sweat

Angellica (she/her) is the Program Coordinator for the Institute for Youth Ministry, where she develops innovative theological programs and curates relevant resources for congregational youth leaders. With over a decade of experience in youth leadership and vocational ministry, Angellica is passionate about fostering caring communities of transformational ministry where young people can flourish. A sought-after A.M.E. Zion preacher and womanist scholar, Angellica’s research explores the connection between ministry and trauma recovery.