Using a holistic approach to understand how physical, emotional, and intellectual development impacts spiritual growth, this course examines spiritual development in individuals, its stages, and appropriate intervention that stimulates healthy and productive growth. As societal influences, family structures and youth environments change, the individual responds. This course will study the latest research related to these shaping mechanisms and the support local youth ministries can give to adolescents and families. Many youth workers struggle with certain aspects of ministry such as budgeting, staff relationships, planning, reporting to a board or session, working with parents, volunteer development, etc. This course is a final step in the undergraduate education, pulling together and integrating the academic and practical preparation to gain valuable experience in areas problematic to the young professional.
Students can earn college credit for summer internships and other practical ministry experience.
The summer internship may also be in their local church or with organizations such as Young Life or PFR Youth Ministry. A unique and vital component of this program, the mentoring relationship is two-fold. King students will be mentored by an adult approved by the college who has committed to nurturing a student's personal growth and development in leadership throughout the program. In addition, students will themselves become mentors to individual adolescents they encounter in their internships or while at King.