Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College

www.youthandfamily.com 

Basic History
The Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College was founded by Dr. Merton P. Strommen on January 22, 1987 under the name of The Center for Youth and Family Ministry, in memory of David Huglen, a son of Mert and Irene Strommen, who tragically died at the age of 25. In 1989, the Center for Youth and Family changed its name to Augsburg Youth & Family Institute. In 1996, the names was changed again to Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College to avoid confusion with Augsburg Fortress Publishing and to connect more closely with Augsburg College.

The Strommen family had a dream of developing a center to nurture youth and family ministry, to create critically needed new approaches to youth and family ministry. Dr. Strommen's vision was to take the best of research, put it in a strong academic setting, surround it with the strength and foundation of a theology of the cross, and instill an evangelical spirit of ministry to help congregations strengthen families to nurture faith. Today the Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College is one of the cutting edge ministries in youth and family ministry in the world.

Basic Beliefs
Seeking to strengthen mature faith and positive values among children and youth, the Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College is convinced that families are the primary unit of faith and values formation, that congregations have significant roles in strengthening families and supporting them in their nurture of faith and values in children and youth. They believe that communities are the larger context of faith and life and that children, youth and parents are best served by partnerships among families, schools, churches and communities. With Augsburg College and other national institutions that share in this vision, they remain committed to nurturing healthy and faithful children, youth and families who are committed to Christ and a life of service in God's world.

Leadership
Executive Director - Dr. Dick Hardel
Director of Faith Formation Education - Dr. David W. Anderson
Chief Administrative Officer - Marilyn Sharpe

Basic Facts
The Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College creates partnerships that design, develop and evaluate children, youth and family ministry models and resources. They initiate, develop, support and resource children, youth, and family ministries, nationally and internationally. They provide consultation in children, youth and family ministries through Institute Staff and Associates by fostering a network for congregations and other institutions seeking staff persons, resources and partnerships in children, youth and family ministries.

The Youth and Family Institute distributes resources that support congregational leadership in the strategies and activities inherent in children, youth and family ministry based on research from Search Institute. They provide parents and families with the tools needed to nurture the faith and values constitutive of healthy and committed children and youth.

They participate in education that equips lay professionals and pastors for children, youth and family ministry through conferences, seminars and workshops and provide undergraduate and graduate programs of professional training.

They create collaborative communities that focus on building positive assets in children, youth and their families by helping congregations be a catalyst in reclaiming and rebuilding healthy communities.

They develop marketing that reflects a partnership with many organizations and agencies providing leadership training and resources in youth and family ministry and resources that most effectively strengthen the home as the primary place of nurturing the faith.

Location
Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College
2016 South8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone (612) 330-1624