Center For Calling And Theological Formation

The Center for Calling and Theological Formation (CCTF) is supported in part by a major grant from the Lilly Endowment. It has a dual purpose: 1) to educate and equip students in the process of theological development and vocational understanding of their life’s work and service, and 2) to serve churches, ministers, as they engage in these vital matters. Its mission is to serve the body of Christ in the vital tasks of teaching and discipleship through education, training, and resourcing.

Summer Journey

Serving a constituency of leading Christian high school juniors and seniors from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition, the Summer Journey program of the CCTF purposes to develop a cadre of leading high school students per whose desire to serve the Church and world is deepened through theological reflection on how the story of God intersects their lives’ calling. To this end, it provides opportunities for participants to:

• Experience an immersive and supportive environment of vocational discernment on the Northwest University campus and in the surrounding region.
• Benefit from gifted speakers and professors speaking in their particular fields of expertise.
• Connect service and calling by means of local community outreach activities.
• Gain a greater awareness and articulation of the call of God in individual lives.
• Think biblically about the issues of the day and apply these insights in Church, family, school, and world.
• Reflect on the vital task of servant-leadership in both Church and society in terms of vocation.
• Encourage students to articulate their calling and its implications in their churches, communities, and beyond.

Youth Symposium

The yearly Youth Symposium is a day-long event held each Fall on the Northwest University campus. Its goal will be to give local congregations, ministries, and leaders from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition a time of enrichment, reflection, and continuing education. To this end, it will provide opportunities to:

• Bring together regional youth workers, pastoral staff, and ministry students for conversation and dialogue of vital issues.
• Reflect on cultural trends affecting ministry to emerging generations.
• Hear from known experts and authors on vital topics in ministry to adolescents and young adults.
• Give resources for church and ministry leaders to use in their local congregations.
• Detail findings and insights from the Summer Journey and discuss emerging themes in the program.

The CCTF also plans to actively engage in and support related research and educational efforts to further the mission of vocational discernment and theological development under the auspices of Northwest University.