General
30 Years, Decades of Impact
“We believe that it is through the efforts of urban youth workers — who lead and disciple urban youth — that the tide of disinterest in following Christ will change.” 30 YEARS, DECADES OF IMPACT To quantify how many hearts have been healed, mindsets transformed and stereotypes challenged after an encounter with the UYWI movement…
Read MoreWhat’s Happening in the Certification Program
The UYWI Certification program, formerly known as 90 Degrees, after a brief hiatus in 2020, relaunched in the Fall of 2021. The program is a year-long journey for leaders and offers both leadership development and personal development designed to equip high-capacity urban leaders with key elements of effective leadership in ministry. The certification was created…
Read MoreTrauma-informed care and focus on mental health in youth ministry
The Church has been a central component in the lives of youth for generations, and for good reason. As research shows, a young person’s faith can be a protective factor against negative behaviors and outcomes. However, despite one’s faith and the church, trauma-informed care is often not emphasized enough or even talked about within the…
Read MoreYouth and ministry 411: Why is youth ministry so important for our collective future?
Urban areas are growing quickly, and with the growing population comes a larger demand for good leadership and discipleship, which is why youth and ministry go hand-in-hand. Youth and ministry, hand-in-hand Fortunately, many volunteers and paid workers have answered that call due to their passion for helping others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, those…
Read MoreAre You an Urban Ally?
ARE YOU AN URBAN ALLY? Urban Youth Workers Institute “UYWI has been a game-changer. It was the reason why I was able to serve youth in crisis well, because as an urban youth leader I felt believed in and empowered. I went from attending the UYWI National Conference as a youth to becoming an urban…
Read MoreSet Free: What Juneteenth Means For ALL of U.S.
Today we celebrate. But we also grieve that it’s taken 156 years for African Americans to be included, truthfully, within the history of America and the American Dream. TEARS WELL UP IN MY EYES As I sit here watching the signing of Juneteenth as a national holiday, tears well up in my eyes. I think…
Read MoreNetworking Center
NETWORKING CENTER Urban Youth Workers Institute “UYWI brought me into a community of leaders that wanted to share resources, share stories, and save generations of youth. I was on the edge of quitting when UYWI provided the energy, tools, and community to do what I love and to become better.” WILL CUMBY Instagram – @willc27…
Read MoreTraining Center
TRAINING CENTER Urban Youth Workers Institute “I am a Los Angeles-born powerhouse speaker, poet, husband, and father. I have shared my heart on countless stages over my ten-year career and I am passionate about issues of justice, love, marriage, fatherhood, and faith.” ALEXANDER JAMES Instagram – @bhonest_ UYWI’s Resource Developer Every year, 1.2 million young…
Read MoreMagazine 2020
YEAR IN REVIEW “We are thankful for all that God has allowed us to be a part of during this pandemic. As you read through this magazine, cry, laugh, and celebrate with us, just know we couldn’t have had this year of exponential, vital, & relevant ministry impact without you.” TABLE OF CONTENTS 04WELCOME WELCOME…
Read MoreDISCIPLESHIP IN THE AGE OF VIDEO GAMES
If the church continues to ignore and dismiss video gaming, we will miss out on one of the biggest opportunities to reach into the culture and connect with our youth and their families.
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