Eric Larsen

Eric Larsen serves as the Director of Global Youth & Family Ministry and Institute for Mission to the World.  He has worked with youth and their families in the local church for 20 years. An ordained pastor, he holds degrees from Covenant College, Covenant Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary where he earned a doctorate in youth, family and culture.  He serves as adjunct professor of global youth and family ministry for Covenant Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary.  He has lived in Kenya, Australia, and the United States, and has served in well over 25 countries throughout Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions. His work involves training cross-cultural youth ministers and equipping national leaders and local churches to reach the youth in their context. He and his wife Rebecca have four children.

2011 Forum Sessions

Standard Workshops

Post-Forum Seminar

Standard Workshops

 “On Your Mark...Get Set...Go!” Starting Right in Ministry to the Next Generation

Every race has a starting line and a finish line.  Where do we start in next gen ministry?  What goals should direct our efforts?  We need a practical theology of youth and student ministry—grounded in God’s word and guided by his kingdom trajectory. Discover why youth and young adult ministry is integral to the life and mission of the church, and be encouraged to lead the church in reaching the next generation across Europe and around the world.

"Welcome to McWorld, May I Take Your Order?” Engaging the Culture of Adolescents and Emerging Adults

Ever feel like young people today are from another world? These are exponential times! We’re seeing an exploding global youth population… the extension of adolescence… and an emerging global youth culture. What does this mean for your family?  What does this mean for the church?  What does this mean for world missions? The global church must take seriously the call to reach the nations and the next generation.  Gain insight into the world of young people in order to engage them with the gospel.

“Is it Time to Remodel?” Taking Youth and Student Ministry to the Next Level

Every house needs to be remodeled over time.  While the foundation remains, the building must be renovated.  Ask yourself: Do I feel stuck in a rut, doing things the way I’ve always done them?  Or, am I tired of trying to keep up with the latest ministry models and methods? Is it time to remodel my ministry? Move beyond the latest program or personality, and consider a meta-model approach to next generation ministry.  Acquire tools for evaluating your ministry, and explore the unique opportunities and resources God has given you in the place he has called you to serve.

Post-Forum Seminar 

Youth Ministry: Theology and Strategy for Reaching Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings

Today’s world is rapidly changing: high mobility, technology and media are shrinking our planet.  There’s an emerging global youth culture.  How should the local church respond to these global realities? A “glocal” approach to youth and student ministry is grounded in God’s Word and guided by His Kingdom trajectory.  A “glocal” approach takes seriously the global and local realities of adolescents and emerging adults.  A “glocal” approach is not stuck in one model or method, but continually engages in the work of renewal.  

This post-forum seminar combines content from all three GYFI (Global Youth and Family Institute) workshops: “On Your Mark… Get set… Go!”; “Welcome to McWorld, may I take your order?”; and “Is it time to remodel?”  Come discover a biblical basis for next gen ministry, and develop a practical approach to reaching tweens, teens and twenty-something’s with the gospel.

back to top