I recently had the privilege of speaking to a group of teen girls at a Christian recovery center for youth coming out of addiction. I say it was a privilege because I may have been ministered to just as much as...

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Urban youth ministers could be uniquely positioned to lead national youth ministry organizations if they seize opportunities to develop themselves as theologians and strategic leaders.This notion has come to me...

On many occasions I have talked about a holistic approach to youth ministry. In the urban context this means there must not only be a focus on evangelism and on spiritual formation or discipleship. There also m...

Every other month, as I write this column, I think about who might read it. Do urban youth ministry workers see it? Do youth ministers in the suburbs or in rural areas skip by the column, seeking articles they ...

Black Entertainment Television network recently launched a reality show called “Baldwin Hills.” It follows the lives of a group of African-American teenagers who live in what is portrayed as the bla...

At the end of school last year, we held an event for our communi­ty’s public junior high school teachers. We wanted them to know we appreciate their work with urban young people in North Minneapolis. ...

In urban and African-American communities, the barbershop can be a sanctuary of sorts, especially for young men. I recently went to the barbershop myself for a haircut—just a normal one, not a “doo...

Sunday morning worship in the urban church: How far is too far? How can we present the gospel in a modern, relevant way that doesn’t water down—or drown out—the timeless message of Jesus Chr...

This summer I attended a prayer vigil following the death of a 19-year-old Hmong man named Fong Lee who was killed by a police officer after supposedly fleeing from a drug deal. It had been a hot and deadly sum...