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:

The first 25 people to register will receive a free copy of Dawn Rundman’s book, Little Steps: Big Faith: How the science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child’s Faith.

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Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child's Faith

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: Thursday, April 24, 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 Wednesday, April 23.

Youth Pastors Lunch
Description: Join us for the official launch of the Children’s Faith Initiative. This new initiative will support families and ministry leaders as they foster faith in children. Our staff will share numerous points of engagement for leaders who are working in children’s ministry. At the lunch, hear from a panel of veteran children and family ministry pastors discussing a range of topics. Joining for the conversation will be Jessica Lee, Children’s Pastor at Church of the Open Door, and Amber Baker, Family Pastor at Grace Church of Glendora. Moderating our panel will be our newest team member, Candice McVey, who is leading this initiative. Come, and invite your peers who are working in Children and Family ministry!

April Lunch Speakers

Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee

Children’s Pastor - Church of the Open Door

Jessica Lee has been the children’s pastor at Church of the Open Door in Glendora for the past five years. She oversees children’s ministry from infancy to fifth grade. Jessica has called Church of the Open Door home since 2004, and considers it a deep privilege to have a front row seat watching God equip and raise up the next generation. She is dedicated to helping kids understand the love and grace of Jesus Christ through relationship, fun and giving them a seat at the table. She loves connecting with the kids and inspiring them to shine bright for God. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Masters in Leadership, both from Azusa Pacific University (APU). Prior to this chapter, Jessica served in non-profit environments working with children and doing fundraising.Jessica and her husband of 20 years, Tim, have three children.
Amber Baker

Amber Baker

Family Pastor - Grace Church of Glendora

Amber Baker is a pastor-speaker who loves to encourage and equip people in family ministry, parenting, marriage, team building, and communication. As the Family Pastor at Grace Church of Glendora, she oversees the staff and strategy of birth – high school. Amber helps staff, volunteers, and families understand the unique phases kids go through as they grow and how to leverage each of these phases. She is a national speaker, speaking at conferences, churches, chapels, women’s groups, online courses, and more. Amber holds a MA in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and is also a Certified Real Colors trainer, helping teams create common language using the Real Colors Temperament test. As you get to know Amber, you will find that her family is her most important ministry. She has been married to Josh since the late 90s and has four children, Ashley, Samuel, Josiah, and Daniel.

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

Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer

Author, Speaker, Trainer

Brandon Muchow

Brandon Muchow

Minister of Worship
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

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