Congratulations to Youthfront on 75 years! I’ve only known of Youthfront’s ministry for the last 15 of those years. While this a relatively short time, quickly Youthfront has become in my mind the premier youth ministry organization in the world. I first came to know Youthfront through Mike King, watching him lead countless youth workers into a whole new way of understanding ministry, themselves, and God. Mike was one of the first to bring American youth ministry to much deeper spiritual wells, inviting Protestants to recover practices and a vision of the Christian life stretching back to the early church. I was so deeply impressed because not only did Mike personally write and teach about these practices, but more he took his whole organization into them, building a community that prays (daily) together. I believe Youthfront has been one of most important organizations in all of American youth ministry. The utter integrity of all the whole talented team is evident, and their unique way of practicing a Christocentric spirituality is intoxicating.
In the last three years, I’ve been blessed with seeing deeper into Youthfront, moving behind their youth worker training and into their camp ministry. The last few summers my own children have been driven 13 hours (round trip) to participate in Youthfront camp. My wife and I make the time investment, passing countless camps on the way down I-35, because we trust Youthfront’s wisdom in ministry and rich lived theology. Over these few summers not only have I been happy with the love, commitment, and theological depth my children been exposed to, but my kids have come to love Youthfront camp, claiming that it is best camp experience they’ve ever had and the highlight of their summers (even year!).
As a theologian, I’m deeply thankful to Youthfront. To have an organization I can point to as a group living out of a significant theological imagination is so heartening. But even more so, I’m thankful to Youthfront as a parent for all the love, commitment, and proclamation of the gospel they’ve both spoken and embodied to my children—for that I know no words other than, “Thank you! And here’s to 75 more years! Praise be to God!”
Dr. Andrew Root, Professor and Chair of Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Theological Seminary
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