There is a deep sense of comfort and understanding when you have lived through something that is unique and you meet someone else who understands it. When you don’t feel the need to explain systems of poverty or why young people make bad choices. When you connect deeply with others who understand the pain of…

In 1993, Larry Acosta had a dream to help ethnic leaders working in the hardest places in our country be resourced, trained, and developed. This was the birth of Urban Youth Workers Institute. Larry’s bold leap to move out of a great church ministry role into trailblazing the leading urban youth ministry in the country…

When a 13 year old takes responsibility for his actions and puts his mind to allowing God to change him you know there was a process to get there. For Malachi, that process started long before he was even born. Malachi’s mentor is Damon Johnson. Damon started and runs TCF, Tennessee Chosen Few Basketball, a…

“OUR GOAL WAS UNREACHABLE, BUT GOD HAD A DIFFERENT PLAN…” Caleb Reed is the Executive Director of Aim Right Ministries in Phoenix Arizona, and the idea of Big Holy Audacious Goal (BHAG) has stuck with him ever since he learned about it in the UYWI 90 Degrees Certification Program. In 2017, he was creating his strategic…

WHEN GOD GIFTS YOU A BULLET PROOF COMMUNITY CENTER, YOU CAN’T SAY NO. Eric and Shawana Myhre have been youth pastors for the last 16 years but felt God calling them to more. They live in Oakland on the edge of what is known as the Acorn which are housing projects in West Oakland. Eric and…

A personal account from a faithful and generous UYWI financial supporter. In February, I was blessed to have hosted in my home, the first ever Urban Youth Workers Institute Women’s Urban Youth Workers Speaker Training Retreat. This event was led by two outstanding speakers Noemi Chavez, Pastor at 7th Street Church in Long Beach, and…

From all of us at Urban Youth Workers Institute, Happy New Year and welcome to 2017! With the start of every New Year, people embrace the opportunity to have a fresh start.  We make resolutions to improve our quality of life, pursue interests we want to develop into habits and set ambitious new goals to…