Join us for our monthly
Youth Leadership Initiative Lunch!
Recap video from our lunch with APU President Dr. Adam Morris.
Why meet for lunch?
To participate in our next lunch,
simply register below:
The lunches are completely free and lunch is provided! Once your RSVP is confirmed, you will receive an email confirmation with details including directions, parking information, and further elaboration on the speakers and topics addressed.
Next Lunch Details
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Time: 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Cost: Free
Location: Azusa Pacific University East Campus, LAPC
Address: 901 E Alosta Ave., Azusa CA 91702
Deadline to register is Monday, September 22.
Description: “Best Practices for Youth Ministry” – Join us for a time of fellowship and learning with Josh Griffin, Junior High Pastor, Mariners Church, Irvine. He is one of the leading voices in youth ministry with 30+ years of experience in ministry. He’s also the co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com and hosts a 400+ episode youth ministry podcast with Doug Fields. Come hear his insights and wisdom on a variety of important topics on youth ministry.
September Lunch Speakers
Josh Griffin
Junior High Pastor, Mariners Church
Co-Founder, Download Youth Ministry
Josh Griffin (@joshuagriffin) is one of the leading voices in youth ministry with 30+ years of experience in the trenches and is currently the junior high pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA. He served for 13 years at Saddleback Church as the High School Pastor under the leadership of Rick Warren. He’s also the co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com and hosts a 400+ episode youth ministry podcast with Doug Fields. He’s created 50+ youth ministry resources and authored several books. Josh and his wife Angela have 4 adult children of their own. He is always 10 minutes late. His current obsession is Star Wars and pickleball.
Past Lunch Speakers
Matt Manno
Nextgen Pastor, New Life Fellowship
Dr. Esau McCaulley
Professor of New Testament,
Wheaton College
Dr. Jason Le Shana
Program Director, Baylor Collaborative on Faith and Disability
Dr. Coba Canales
Dean of Students, Azusa Pacific University
Dr. Karen Rougglly
Campus Pastor, Azusa Pacific University
David and Leah Gaulton
Co-founders, Jesus Use Me Movement
Tommy Nixon
CEO, Urban Youth Workers Institute
Justin Knowles
Youth Pastor and Co-host of Youth Ministry Hacks
Dr. Adam Morris
President, Azusa Pacific University
Dr. Lori Lacy
Executive Director, University Counseling Center, Azusa Pacific University
Megan Fate Marshman
Speaker, Author, Pastor
Jose and Erica Rodriguez
CEO and COO, Rescue a Generation
Tom Lin
President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA
Will Hooper
Director, LA and OC Cities, Alpha USA
Dr. Bill Fiala
Licensed Psychologist, Journeys Counseling Ministry
Doug Fields
Co-founder and President, Download Youth ministry
Jordan Biere
National Youth Director, Alpha USA
Dr. Jim Burns
Founder, HomeWord
Mark Matlock
Executive Director, Urbana 2025
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer
Author, Speaker, Trainer
Brandon Muchow
Minister of Worship
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Jessica Lee
Children’s Pastor
Church of the Open Door
Amber Baker
Family Pastor
Grace Church of Glendora