Cultivating God’s Brainforest

An Online Course for Youth Ministers that Keeps Neurodiversity in Mind 

Cultivating God’s Brainforest is a project that brings together neurodivergent young people, youth ministry leaders, and scholars to offer a digital course to help youth ministry leaders better understand the gifts of neurodiversity within the context of Christian congregations. 

About the Project 

The Institute for Youth Ministry received a grant from the Fuller Youth Institute to create an online course on neurodiversity and faith formation in youth ministry, which resulted in this one-of-a-kind offering for ministry leaders. Through videos, group and individual activities, spiritual reflections, and interviews with young people, this course equips youth leaders to shape congregational programs in which young people of all neurotypes flourish. 

The project was part of Fuller Youth Institute’s “Character-Forming Youth Discipleship” initiative, funded by The John Templeton Foundation. 

Leadership Team

Erin Raffety
Associate Research Scholar
Michael-Paul-Cartledge
Michael Paul Cartledge
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Megan DeWald
Director
icon_gears-light

Questions for the IYM?

CONTACT US to inquire about building a missional and justice-oriented youth ministry.

Scroll to Top