Join us for our monthly
Youth Leadership Initiative Lunch!

Our monthly lunches are designed for adult ministry leaders working with youth who are eager to build a peer community and gain knowledge on relevant ministry topics. Leaders are invited for the purpose resourcing, collaboration, and being encouraged in their ministry.

Recap video from our lunch with APU President Dr. Adam Morris.

Why meet for lunch?

Each month, the lunches we host are centered around rich conversation at the table. Guest speakers share their expertise on topics involving leadership, spirituality, healthy church practices, and relevant youth ministry issues. Our hope is that leaders walk away with a renewed sense of community, a network of ministry leaders, and tools they can use in their ministry contexts.

To participate in our next lunch,
simply register below:

Register for our upcoming lunch!

The first 25 people to register will receive a copy of Children’s Ministry and the Spiritual Child: Practical, Formation-Focused Ministry or Imaginative Prayer: A Yearlong Guide for Your Child’s Spiritual Formation by Jared Patrick Boyd

Growing Young - Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church

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, March 24, 2026
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 Deadline to register is
Monday, March 23rd.

Description: “GenAlpha and the Power of Narrative and Storytelling” – Join us at Azusa Pacific University for a time of food, fellowship, and essential learning featuring Trevecca Okholm, co-editor of Children’s Ministry and the Spiritual Child.

Youth Pastors Lunch

March Lunch Speaker

Noemi Chaavez

Trevecca Okholm

Co-editor of Children’s Ministry and the Spiritual Child

Trevecca Okholm is retired from nearly forty years of full-time church ministry and from university teaching in practical theology and family ministry. She continues to serve the church as a family ministry coach and consultant, speaker for parent groups and retreats, and as a trainer/facilitator for worship & wonder models of faith formation. Trevecca has authored two books on marriage & family, grandparenting faith (intergenerationally) and co-edited Children’s Ministry and the Spiritual Child: Practical Formation-Focused Ministry (ACU, 2023).
Register for our upcoming lunch!

Past Lunch Speakers

Josh Griffin

Junior High Pastor
Mariners Church

Jessica Lee

Children’s Pastor
Church of the Open Door

Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer

Amber Baker

Family Pastor
Grace Church of Glendora

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

Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer

Author, Speaker, Trainer

Brandon Muchow

Brandon Muchow

Minister of Worship
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

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Thank you for joining our monthly Youth Leadership Initiative lunch! We look forward to seeing you there.