Youth Theology (related) Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation

More About Marty

Posted on October 21, 2019October 24, 2019

Marty Wyatt has been the Program Assistant for the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute since 2016. Prior to this, Marty worked as a coffee shop manager at the MSP airport. He completed a BA in Women’s Studies at Augsburg in 2012, and is currently in the Master of Divinity program at Luther Seminary. While a student at Augsburg, Marty was a Youth Theology Institute mentor and even attended the Institute as a high school student way back in its beginning years. Marty loves being a part of this program that encourages youth to embrace deep theological questions and explore where their passions meet the needs of the world and where God is calling them.

When he’s not at Augsburg, Marty enjoys reading, sewing quilts, and cross-stitching. He’s been a Minnesotan his whole life, and grew up on a family farm just north of the Twin Cities. He now lives in North Minneapolis with his husband and fur babies (2 cats, 1 dog). His one year old boxer mix keeps him especially busy and reminds him daily of the importance of play.

Marty feels incredibly blessed to be a part of the Augsburg University community again as a staff person and is proud of the work that Augsburg, the Christensen Center for Vocation, and the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute do for and with young people, our communities, and the wider church.

Introducing Adrienne

Posted on October 14, 2019January 4, 2023

Adrienne joined the CCV staff in Fall 2019 as the Theology and Public Leadership Program Associate. She wears three very important hats at Augsburg: coordinating the TPL undergraduate degree, directing the summer Augsburg Youth Theology Institute, and managing the Public Church Scholars pathway degree.

The Public Church Scholars five year degree pathway allows students who are called to public church ministry an opportunity to complete a BA in Theology and Public Leadership and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in five years. In this program students will take a deep dive into theological education, leadership formation, engage in what is means to live and work in community through experiential learning, and prepare to be public leaders in the church. This ministry leadership pathway has been generously funded by the Kern Foundation.

Adrienne has served in many ministry and youth leadership capacities since graduating from Augsburg in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry and a minor in Sociology. Before coming to this position, she served as youth ministry program staff for an urban ministry collaborative in St. Paul, booking agent for a local hip hop artist, assistant camp director for an island camp and retreat center, and served two local charter high schools in administrative leadership and advising capacities primarily supporting students in college and career exploration. In December 2018, she received her MA in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in ethics and leadership from St. Catherine University. In Fall 2019, she also began the exciting journey of teaching undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota in the Leadership Minor program.

Adrienne’s call has always been tied to connecting people and strengthening relationships. As a leader for young people, her work focuses on listening, guiding, and supporting youth in discerning their purpose during transition times in their lives. She has worked with high school students in developing leadership skills, searching for college and career options that fit their purpose, and making connections for putting their purpose into action. She is excited to join CCV and work with undergraduate students as they discern their call to ministry, by growing and developing as strong leaders for the future of the church in our communities.

When she isn’t working, Adrienne loves walking or hiking in parks and woods around the Twin Cities with her family and energetic dog Calvin. Her husband is a middle school music teacher and her kiddo is thoughtful and creative and always has his nose in a book. As a family they enjoy camping, following the latest Star Wars or Avengers stories and media, and making and sharing homemade meals.

Interview with AYTI Program Assistant Marty Wyatt, former participant and mentor

Posted on August 12, 2019August 19, 2019

AYTI Ambassador Ian Heseltine interviewed Marty Wyatt, AYTI Program Assistant, to learn more about the impact of Marty’s participation in Augsburg’s Youth Theology Institute. In 2007, Marty was a youth participant, and he was a mentor in 2008 and 2009. In addition to his role at Augsburg, Marty is pursuing a masters of divinity at Luther Seminary.

Here is Marty’s response:

Honestly, the week [of Youth Theology Institute] made me want to come to Augsburg for my undergrad. Looking back this is the biggest impact because of how going to Augsburg impacted my life. I would have never met the people I did or experienced the city if I didn’t go to Augsburg, and that started with the Theology Institute. The Institute introduced me to Augsburg’s campus, professors, students, and staff. They seemed to genuinely care about people and the community. It made me want to get to know them better and be a part of this community that cared so deeply for each other.

I think during the week my faith was renewed. High school can be a hard and isolating time for some and the Institute reignited my faith in a powerful way. I learned (or re-learned?) to look for God in everything, from the mundane to the exceptional. The Institute opened a way of thinking about faith differently than I had before. I began to think critically about what I believe and why, which over time led to a deepening of my faith that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t critically examine it first. Continue reading “Interview with AYTI Program Assistant Marty Wyatt, former participant and mentor” →

Meet Morgan – 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on June 10, 2019June 10, 2019

My name is Morgan Baumbach. I’m from Farmington, Minnesota and going into my third year of college. I absolutely love Augsburg because of its location. It’s right down in the heart of the Twin Cities, and I love being a part of it all! I also love Augsburg because of its choice of Majors!! I was able to transfer and then double Major and Minor in my two dream Majors/Careers: Theatrical Design and Technology AND Theology and Public Leadership, with a Youth Studies Minor. When I graduate, I want to tour with a band/music group or theatre production nationally and internationally and travel the world. Then once I settle down I want to go into youth ministry. Last summer I worked at Camp Wapo as a Camp Counselor and absolutely loved it. I am SO excited to be able to be a mentor at AYTI this summer and bring a little bit of that camp feel to the big city!!

Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://staging-augsburgwww.kinsta.cloud/ayti/

Meet Grace P- 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on June 3, 2019

Hi! My name is Grace Porter and I am from Eden Prairie, MN and a first year here at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies and a minor in Music. My favorite thing about Augsburg is the people-I have created so many new relationships I know I will value for a long time! When I graduate, I want to work with kids in the church, and hopefully direct a youth choir as well. I attended AYTI a few years ago and it was one of the best weeks of my life! I grew so much in faith and friendships and had so many wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Attending the program is also one of the big reasons I chose to attend Augsburg, and I love it here just as much as I thought I would!

Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://staging-augsburgwww.kinsta.cloud/ayti/

Meet Mallory – 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on May 20, 2019May 20, 2019

My name is Mallory Harris. I’m from the south side of Chicago. I am a junior at Augsburg, majoring in communication studies. My future goals include being a director of photography and a motivational speaker. My favorite thing about being an Auggie is the commitment and foundation built on helping others. I’m excited to engage with students and get to be a part of something larger than myself.

Meet Lizzy – 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on May 13, 2019

Hello! My name is Lizzy Hoversten, and I am from Viroqua, Wisconsin. I just finished my first year at Augsburg University, studying Management with a minor in Communication Studies.

At Augsburg I have enjoyed finding myself in new settings and getting to know new people. There are a number of paths I could pursue, and I have very specific hopes for my Management degree, but if those do not pan out I will hopefully go to law school. I am incredibly enthusiastic for this summer’s AYTI theme of Stewarding Creation in our Neighborhoods: Science and Theology in Action. I will be taking a week break from working at a summer camp to come back to Augsburg and engage with youth who are passionate about theology and want to learn how we are called to be faithful stewards to our habitat.

Meet Ian – 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on May 6, 2019

Ian Heseltine Hello!

My name is Ian Heseltine. I’m a second year at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Music, Media & Management with a minor in Religion. My hometown is Alexandria, MN, two hours west of Minneapolis. In the future I hope to be managing artists or their tours.

My favorite thing about Augsburg is how connected you are to your friends, faculty, staff, and administration. Our average class size is 16, so you really get to build a relationship with professors and in return they become invested in your education.

I’m so excited to be returning this summer to be an AYTI mentor again! Which is such an incredible and indescribable week that I believe all youth should experience! I can’t wait to have all of our 2019 AYTI students here at Augsburg to learn more about God, reflect on God, and serve their communities through God.

Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://staging-augsburgwww.kinsta.cloud/ayti/

Meet Grace- 2019 AYTI Mentor

Posted on April 29, 2019May 21, 2019

Hey everyone!

My name is Grace Koch Muchahary. I’m from India. I am a first year student at Augsburg University majoring in Sociology. I am really glad to be called an Auggie, and I love the surroundings over here. My favorite thing is the people who are really very good and help each other with every need. My future goals are to become a greater youth leader and a social worker as a missionary. I am really excited for the AYTI program, to meet new people, and get to learn many new things.

Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://staging-augsburgwww.kinsta.cloud/ayti/

Meet Our AYTI Ambassadors-Lizzy

Posted on October 19, 2018

Hello, my name is Lizzy. I am a first year at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Communication Studies and maybe double majoring in Business Management. To me, theology is incredibly fun because there is a theoretical aspect which enables the participant to ask difficult questions through a different lens. AYTI is incredibly important because being a young adult intrigued by faith and theology can be isolating, and AYTI has given me a community of peers who are equally curious about faith. I am thrilled to be an ambassador for AYTI this year; I have only been here a little while but love the campus and love this program. I cannot wait to guide others into this community I love so much.