Youth and Family Ministries, minor

Youth and Family Ministries, minor

Program Overview

Do you have a passion for the spiritual and personal development of young people? Do you feel called to help families seek God and grow together? If so, you should consider a minor in youth and family ministry. PLNU youth & family ministry minors delve into the complex landscape of multigenerational ministry, learning to competently engage a wide variety of situations, individuals, and family units.

You will expand your understanding of intergenerational ministry, developmentalism, counseling youth, and adolescent behavior. The knowledge you acquire, along with invaluable practical skills in interpersonal and group communication, will prepare you to navigate any number of social contexts, whether your dreams lie in ministry, psychology, teaching, social work, or any number of other careers.

Where Faith Meets Preparation

Mandy Arioto: A CEO Who Inspires and Empowers Mandy Arioto: A CEO Who Inspires and Empowers
2025 Distinguished Achievement Awards: Reverend Steve Scott 2025 Distinguished Achievement Awards: Reverend Steve Scott

Leadership Rooted in Faith and Service

Students gathered on steps
"Ministry by Example"

Service Starts Here

PLNU volunteers posing for a photo in house construction for ministry in Mexico.
PLNU students gather together for meeting during sunset.
PLNU students post at booth at the ministry fair on Caf Lane.
Articles (12)
Quotes (1)
Pictures (5)
Mandy Arioto: A CEO Who Inspires and Empowers
Mandy Arioto: A CEO Who Inspires and Empowers Mandy Arioto (00) is president and CEO of one of the country’s most influential parenting organizations, MOPS International. MOPS is a Christian organization that brings small groups of women together to share their joys, struggles, and faith as mothers and women. The acronym MOPS stands for “mothers of preschoolers” because the organization began in 1973 Discover
2025 Distinguished Achievement Awards: Reverend Steve Scott
2025 Distinguished Achievement Awards: Reverend Steve Scott Reverend Steve Scott (’77, ’80) devoted his life to ministry and mentorship, earning PLNU’s 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award. Discover
A female Christian studies student takes communion at a PLNU chapel. She is wearing a black shirt and has brown hair.
9 Essential Spiritual Disciplines for the Ministry Student Spiritual disciplines are one of the main ways Christians can pursue spiritual formation. Here are 9 disciplines ministry students can practice to get closer to God. Discover
Spiritual Practices: A Guide to Growth Through Daily Rhythms
Spiritual Practices: A Guide to Growth Through Daily Rhythms Finding ways to connect to faith community and God are important rhythms in our lives. Check out this guide to daily spiritual practices. Discover
Kara Lyons-Pardue: A Woman’s Journey to Educational Ministry
Kara Lyons-Pardue: A Woman’s Journey to Educational Ministry Kara Lyons-Pardue’s upbringing and experiences are reflected in the ways she teaches students to engage with Scripture in deep, fulfilling, and curiosity-filled ways. Discover
Christian Studies Class Explores Important Role of Women in the Church
Christian Studies Class Explores Important Role of Women in the Church Learn about the PLNU School of Theology and Christian Ministry’s course on the history of women in the church. Discover
Student studying at university track
Is Adding a Minor to Your Degree Worth It? Learn more about college minors, how to add a minor to your degree, and how future employers see value in adding a college minor to your degree. Discover
A Historical Tour of PLNU’s Stained Glass Windows
A Historical Tour of PLNU’s Stained Glass Windows Dr. David Strawn’s stained glass windows have graced PLNU’s campus for decades, and bless generations of students each time they pass by. Discover
Two female students are discussing their vocational calling while walking by a cross on PLNU's campus.
Vocation vs. Profession: What’s the Difference? Ever wondered about the difference between vocation and profession? Learn what is a vocation, what is a profession and how to choose a career based on both. Discover
A girl is holding her cell phone up in front of her, taking a photo of a cross.
Integrating Technology in Ministry: Adapting for the Digital Age Integrating technology in ministry can help boost ministry opportunities in the digital age, allowing for greater reach and impact in church ministry. Discover
A cross at sunset
Reclaiming Sabbath We are stressed out, time-strapped people, living in a world that is filled with suffering and injustice. Perhaps unexpectedly, one aid to improving the psychological health of individuals and health of our communities and world may be the commandment least attended to by modern-day Christians: keeping the Sabbath. Discover
A busy crosswalk
Losing Sabbath Discover
Students gathered on steps
Ministry by Example
"One of the coolest parts of Point Loma is that the professors are so relatable. They allow themselves to be known by you. They talk about what they do, their families, their character, their heart for the church, their academic studies. That’s how I found my call to ministry: just witnessing them and seeing how their character is so remarkable and seeing their calling to love Christ and the world changed my life."
Portrait shot of PLNU student Kevin Portillo.
Kevin Portillo Philosophy, Theology, and Christian Ministry B.A.
PLNU volunteers posing for a photo in house construction for ministry in Mexico.
PLNU students gather together for meeting during sunset.
PLNU students post at booth at the ministry fair on Caf Lane.
Students building a house at a mission trip to Mexico
Group of Students Praying Together

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Youth and Family Ministries, minor program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Start Application

Are you ready to take the next step to begin your PLNU journey? Whether you’re a high school senior, college transfer student, or international student, find out what we’re looking for in our applicants and how you can apply.

Apply Now

Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Career Opportunities

A minor in youth & family ministry is beneficial if you are interested in pursuing a career or an advanced degree within ministry, social work, education, counseling, and nonprofit organizations. Alumnis' ability to critically evaluate social and cultural patterns, while also constructively engaging as agents of hope, make them desirable candidates for job opportunities and graduate school programs. Youth & family ministry minors at PLNU cultivate these strengths in a Christian context that nurtures their intellectual and spiritual lives and equips them to be reasoned and ethical leaders in a variety of careers.

A minor in youth & family ministry can be a useful and natural complement within a variety of careers and industries, including:

  • Ministry
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Teaching
  • Nonprofit Agencies

Department Faculty

Get Involved

Polkinghorne, an older man, speaks from a podium to community in Crill Hall at PLNU

H. Orton Wiley Lecture Series

Do you enjoy intelligent discourse on subjects relevant to Christian life and ministry? The H. Orton Wiley Lecture series engages and enriches students.

A group of students sit in a living room and have class as part of the community classroom experience

Community Classroom

Do you have a desire to serve or work in a multicultural or cross-cultural setting? If so, you should take advantage of Community Classroom.

A female student leaving first chapel of the year

Theology and Christian Ministry School-Specific Scholarships

Are you called to serve in ministry, but concerned about the cost? PLNU understands this concern and aims to support the next generation of ministers.