This fall, Azusa Pacific University will launch the new Center for Youth and Family, a research and training institute dedicated to providing biblically-based resources for parents and youth.
The vision for this center began through Azusa Pacific’s relationship with alumnus Jim Burns, Ph.D., author and founder of HomeWord, a 30-minute daily radio broadcast. Burns, along with teammates Jim Liebelt and Cindy Ward, bring a wealth of experience in marriage and family relationships to the university. Together with Azusa Pacific they will establish a center for community and future leaders in youth and family ministries that provides marriage, family, parenting, and youth resources previously offered through HomeWord.
“As I began to look at the opportunity to work with APU through the Center for Youth and Family, I realized that one of my key goals for the rest of my life is to invest in teaching and training the next generation of leaders to help families succeed,” said Burns. “I believe that when you reach the family, you reach the world. With the partnership of HomeWord staff, and the content and respect of Azusa Pacific in the world, we can truly make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people and families.”
Through the center, faculty, staff, students, alumni, families, youth, and churches will have access to information, training, tools, and practical advice. Using direct research, online dialog, seminars, e-newsletters, and daily devotions, Azusa Pacific hopes to equip and encourage families nationwide to build healthy relationships from this generation to the next.
“Jim Burns is one of the leading experts on issues surrounding youth, marriage, and the family. We view the Center for Youth and the Family as a legacy move for Azusa Pacific and are thrilled to have an alumnus lead this great effort,” said David Bixby, Ed.D., APU executive vice president.
“The Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific is poised to be the finest training center for those who lead the church in youth and family ministry. It will be very exciting to watch this unfold,” said Burns.
