Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry: Youth Ministry

Do you have a heart for ministry and a passion for working with youth? SBU's Youth Ministry within the Christian Ministry degree will teach you how to reach youth at a critical time in their lives through training in discipleship, evangelism, and adolescent development.

Coursework in multiple academic disciplines — including theology, ministry, psychology, and education — will equip you to effectively lead and maintain a youth ministry in a church or other organization. As you learn how to become a youth minister, put your learning into action through apprenticeships, volunteering at local churches, and participating in student service activities such as the Center for Global Connections projects.

The SBU Advantage

• Completing an apprenticeship in youth ministry will give you valuable, real-world experience prior to graduation.
• Learn from highly qualified faculty including Dr. Duke Jones who has more than 30 years of youth ministry experience.
• Many local churches provide volunteer and internship opportunities for you to get experience working with youth group ministries while pursuing your degree.
• Each year, more churches seek to hire our graduates than the number of students in our program, creating great job placement opportunities.

Founded in 1878, Southwest Baptist University is a Christian liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of academic study at undergraduate and graduate levels throughout four physical campuses in Bolivar, Mountain View, Salem, and Springfield, Mo., plus an online campus.

Founded in 1878, Southwest Baptist University is a Christian liberal arts university with:

• More than 100 areas of academic study on undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels;
• Faculty who are passionate about you, your education, and your future success;
• Global service and mission projects to share your faith and develop as a servant leader;
• Vibrant campus life within a close-knit community for getting involved and developing lifelong friendships; and
• Five campuses throughout the southwest and south central Missouri. The 152-acre main campus is in Bolivar, Mo., population 10,300 about 25 minutes north of Springfield, Mo. Additional campuses are in Mountain View, Salem, and Springfield, Mo., and Online.

Liberal arts schools provide both breadth and depth. Breadth is offered across the curriculum with coursework in the arts, sciences, and humanities, with the goal of preparing students for life. Depth is provided through the major, which focuses on preparation for work in a specific field. In a Christian liberal arts education, the Christian lens is the primary lens for learning. Breadth and depth in a Christian liberal arts setting also mean a focus on critical thinking so that non-Christian perspectives are examined (but not endorsed) and students are prepared to serve in secular careers and in service to Christ.