The unique advantage of this program is that since it is focused on a particular generational cohort, the knowledge gained can be implemented in a wide variety of career contexts.  Indeed, Millennials can be found in every sector of society.  They are so large a cohort that they have been described as having a “pig in the python” effect, reshaping society as they move through it.  Older Millennials have reached the age of becoming leaders of companies, elders and pastors in churches, etc.  Here in America the first Millennial is running for President of the United States.  Thus, it is imperative to understand the mindset, worldview, and values of this generation in order to effectively minister to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can be equipped to be the next CEOs, world leaders, pastors, teachers, and parents.

With this goal in mind, this program seeks to prepare students to minister to Millennials in all sectors of society.  Rather than leaving ministry up to the paid professionals within the four walls of the institutional church, this program strives to create missionally-minded world changers who can take “church” to Millennials in the students’ own context using their own area of expertise.  The program focuses on drawing on the strengths of the students and building on those in order to launch them into the world equipped with practical skills to minister to Millennials in all sectors:

• Business
• Government
• Family
• Religion
• Arts and Entertainment
• Education
• Health and Wellness.

Each of these sectors becomes its own mission field where students can combine their expertise in a secular field with newly gained knowledge about the Millennial generation and missional theology.  The result is an ecclesia who is dispersed among the nations in all fields who can take Jesus into the highways and byways.

Specific courses in this program, such as “Millennials and Technology” will give students practical knowledge about how to engage Millennials using cutting edge methods.

This program provides a strong biblical foundation for the student’s missional career.  Just as David was a shepherd, Paul a tentmaker, Peter a fishermen, and Luke a doctor, students will be encouraged to see their own career as a ministry platform that can be built upon for the furtherance of the gospel among the Millennial generation. 

My advice to potential students about these careers is to let the Lord build upon what you already have.  Moses was a shepherd, and God used his shepherd’s rod as the instrument of miracles.  When God called Moses to liberate the Hebrews from slavery, Moses was at first hesitant and asked, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, `The LORD did not appear to you’?” Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.”  So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob–has appeared to you.“

God used what was already familiar to Moses to accomplish His purposes.  Moses had been living the quiet existence of a shepherd for forty years.  I’m sure a comfortable predictability had had settled over his life.  Imagine how worn with use his shepherd’s rod was.  It was a natural part of his everyday life.  But now God would use what was familiar to accomplish miracles.  In fact, God was calling Moses to a different life, an adventurous life.  A life where seas part and manna falls from heaven, where God speaks form burning mountaintops and water gushes from rocks.  A life where Moses himself would be the leader of an entire race of people.

God has a wonderful way of using what we already possess to accomplish His purposes if we will simply yield it to Him.  What is in your hand?  What is already familiar to you?  What skills, abilities, or acumen do you already possess that could become an instrument of the kingdom?  As you yield those things to Him, he will begin to unfold His adventurous plan for your life.  Perhaps God is calling you to yield those things to Him so you can enter into the world of Millennials and lead them into a new way of life, one filled with the knowledge and glory of God.  Join us at MU and discover the adventure of yielding yourself to God in order to lead Millennials into the kingdom.