Welcome to the International Youth Ministry Center
As youth ministry innovators, Americans have sometimes been very slow to learn from others. The importance of interaction and sharing has been demonstrated in many settings. We have much to learn from one another and need each other's encouragement.
Almost anywhere in the world, a well-promoted gathering of youth workers will gather an amazingly large crowd. When Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants interact, where church and paraparochial ministries, and workers among the poor and the middle or upper classes, meet there is excitement, learning and growth. No one realizes how many are caring for youth in different ways all over the world.
Youth ministry is sponsored by church denominations first of all. In many ways, the Catholic Church is ahead of others in terms of investment, study, and publishing. Look for a local Catholic bookstore to find analysis of the culture and models of programs. Mainstream Protestant denominations have youth ministries globally, and Eastern Orthodox churches do solid work in many places that should be noticed. National fellowships among secondary and university students come next and are flourishing in some countries. Thirdly, Evangelical Protestants have spawned paraparochial (or parachurch) ministries. Scripture Union, Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity, Navigators, Youth for Christ, SonLife, and Young Lifeare examples of these. And finally of course, each country (and area) also has its own brands of youth ministries.