Parish Youth Leadership
Available as a concentration
Parish Youth Leadership equips you for a career working with youth in a faith-based setting. By zeroing in on the specific challenges and goals of youth ministry, you will be ready to take an active approach to guiding youth in questions of faith. A concentration in Parish Youth Leadership makes a strong pairing with a major in religious studies or psychology.
Curriculum & Courses
Sample Course Offerings
RELG 130: Living Religions of the World
RELG 225: Religious Life/Young Adults
RELG 250: New Religions in America
Student Experiences
Ben Cowgill '17 Explores a Different Side of Ministry Research
During his time at Roanoke College, Benjamin Cowgill '17 completed research on youth persistence in the Anglican Church.
"In my coursework, I found many authors focusing on the negative (why young people are leaving the church) versus the positive (why they stay involved), and I wanted to look at why some people chose the latter," Cowgill said.
"Roanoke gave me an excellent opportunity to take a question from a regular class and pursue it in a way I would not have been able to without the generous support and encouragement of my mentors at the College."
Bridget Gautieri spent a summer on a European trip designed for young adults involved in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The program enabled Bridget to learn about Lutheran and other Christian organizations around the world and how young adults can be more involved in them. She spent time in Geneva, Switzerland, visiting the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches, and in Taizé, France, at a Catholic-Christian commune. There, students focused on simple living, silence and Bible study, and took part in the different jobs necessary to keep a commune running.
“Adwoa Asante used her time well at Roanoke to find out more about herself. With a major in psychology, a minor in religious studies and a concentration in Parish Youth Leadership, she is well-prepared to make a difference in the lives of others. ”
Dr. David Nichols, academic advisor
Study Abroad
Students study the life of Jesus firsthand in Israel
Linnea Kremer and Xiaoyu Lu in front of the city of Jericho wearing Arab scarves that they bought.
All of students look at their maps of Israel in the van en route to the airport.
Hayley Moe riding a camel in Jericho.
Morgan Hughes and Chelsea Shaffer enjoy shopping in the Jerusalem Bazaar.
Benjamin Cowgill and Zachary Wright go swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
The students visit Herod the Great's Harbor in Caesarea.
Jaina Lanum posing in front of the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha where Jesus fed the 5,000.
The class visits a 4th-century synagogue in Capernaum.
The students get a break from the heat at an outdoor pool.
A local Arab helps a Roanoke student put on an Arab scarf in Jericho.
Zach Wright and Ben Cowgill have fun in the Dead Sea.
The whole class gets a group shot in front of the city of Jerusalem.
Faculty
News
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Roanoke College faculty are accomplishing exciting things! Catch up on some of the latest news.
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Catch up on the latest news from our impressive faculty members.
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Roanoke is now a full-fledged affiliate of the Oregon Extension, making it easier for students to join the 16-week study away experience.
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Join Dr. James Peterson and Roanoke College's Benne Center for Church & Society in an exploration of the inevitable — and necessary — clashes that happen between the rigors of rationality and the demands of faith.
- Date:
- March 26, 2026
- Time:
- 7 - 8 p.m.
- Location:
Wortmann Ballroom
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This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!
- Date:
- March 27, 2026
- Time:
- 4 - 6 p.m.
- Location:
Antrim Chapel
