Youth Becoming: Transformative Practices for Forming Young Leaders
Edited by Dr. Brian Hull | Published by FTE BooksLAUNCHING FALL 2026 — JOIN THE VIP LAUNCH LIST BELOW
$29.99 (Physical) | $14.99 (e-Book)
FTE Books
Drawing on ten years of practical, innovative programs funded by the Lilly Endowment, Youth Becoming offers youth ministry leaders, pastors, and educators field-tested wisdom to engage young people in deep theological reflection, vocational mentoring, and community action. Grounded in the historic practices of Christian formation, this guide helps youth form authentic relationships, discover their callings, and step boldly into faith.
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Youth Becoming: Transformative Practices for Forming Young Leaders
Discover the "Mother Sauces" of Youth Formation and Theological Innovation
In an era marked by shifting cultural tides, young people are searching for authentic community, divine purpose, and safe spaces to wrestle with deep questions. Youth Becoming equips youth ministry leaders, pastors, educators, and volunteers with field-tested, adaptable wisdom gathered from youth theology programs across the country.
Rather than chasing quick trends, Youth Becoming pairs rich theological reflection with the historic practices of Christian formation—helping faith communities guide young leaders as they discern their vocations, navigate doubts, and share their testimonies.
Written by 12 leading scholar-practitioners from across the country—including Mike Langford (Seattle Pacific), Jeff Walling (Pepperdine), Ronnie Miller-Yow (Philander Smith), Casey Beaumier (Boston College), Jim DeBoer (Hope College), Tom Ryan (Loyola New Orleans), Brandon Isome (Tuskegee), Mike Severe (Taylor), Dr. Brian Hull (Asbury), Dametraus Jaggers (Johnson), Steve Betancourt & Owen Ruggiero (Loyola Chicago), and Christen Foell (Westmont)—each chapter combines deep theological reflection with field-tested, adaptable wisdom.
Table of Contents
- Foreword & Introduction: Dr. Brian Hull
- Chapter 1: Theological Youth Ministry: Starting with God – Mike Langford (Seattle Pacific University)
- Chapter 2: Can Somebody Give Me a Map? The CrossWays LifeMap – Jeff Walling (Pepperdine University)
- Chapter 3: Gathered by God at the Table: Empowering Youth, Strengthening Churches – Ronnie Miller-Yow (Philander Smith University)
- Chapter 4: Ever to Excel: Partnering with International Students – Casey Beaumier (Boston College)
- Chapter 5: Are We Listening? Engaging Youth Through Worship Arts – Jim DeBoer (Hope College)
- Chapter 6: Creation As a Catalyst for Formation for Faith and Action – Tom Ryan (Loyola University New Orleans)
- Chapter 7: Bridge Builders: A Rural Playbook for Community Transformation – Brandon Isome (Tuskegee University)
- Chapter 8: Community-Based Mentors: Create a Scaffolding – Mike Severe (Taylor University)
- Chapter 9: This Is My Testimony: The Transformational Power of Sharing Our Stories – Brian Hull (Asbury University)
- Chapter 10: Seeing with New Eyes: Faith, Justice, and the Vocational Imagination of Youth – Dametraus Jaggers (Johnson University)
- Chapter 11: The Power of Peer Leadership – Steve Betancourt & Owen Ruggiero (Loyola University Chicago)
- Chapter 12: Listening in Mentoring: Reframing Our Posture with High School Students – Christen Foell (Westmont College)
Editor Bio
Dr. Brian Hull is the Gardner Scholar and Professor of Pastoral and Christian Ministries at Asbury University, founder of the Youth Becoming Leaders High School Christian Leadership Institute, and Director of the Forged Youth Ministry Coaching Program. Holding a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, Hull brings over three decades of local church and denominational ministry experience helping faith communities foster youth vocation and theological exploration.