Undergraduate
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
Transform + Achieve
Persevere in what you know you’re capable of. Our programs for adults provide a creative approach to learning anchored in Christ-centered virtues as you follow your unwavering purpose.
Transform + Achieve
Go further as an influencer in your work and community. Our graduate programs prepare you to open new doors as you reach your God-given potential.
Grand Rapids
Theological Seminary
At Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, we're dedicated to learning, serving and leading through rigorous scholarship and a humble approach to Scripture.
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About
Education
- Certificate in Spiritual Direction, North Park Theological Seminary
- Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- M.A., Calvin College
- B.Th., Tyndale College
Awards & Recognitions
- Ruud Scholar and Ph.D. Program Scholar (Fall 1998 - Spring 2000)
- Board Member of North American Professors of Christian Education (6 years)
- Member of The Association of Youth Ministry Educators (2002 - Current)
Jim Dekker, Ph.D.
- Professor of Ministry
- Bible, Religion & Ministry Division Chair
- Traditional Undergraduate Bible, Religion & Ministry Division
Education
- Certificate in Spiritual Direction, North Park Theological Seminary
- Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- M.A., Calvin College
- B.Th., Tyndale College
Awards & Recognitions
- Ruud Scholar and Ph.D. Program Scholar (Fall 1998 - Spring 2000)
- Board Member of North American Professors of Christian Education (6 years)
- Member of The Association of Youth Ministry Educators (2002 - Current)
Dr. Jim Dekker has more than 30 years of experience in youth ministry.
A husband and father of two adult daughters, Dr. Dekker invented a multi-level strategy game back in the 90s and still loves playing it today. He would like to one day build his own Cedar strip canoe.
Contact Info
Hobbies
- Fly fishing
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
Research Interests
- Spiritual direction
- Resilience among at-risk youth of Alaska
- Adolescent understanding of respect
- Asian-American Identity Formation
Publications
- Dekker, J. (2013 pending). Generativity, covenant witness, and Jesus' final discourse. Ex Auditu: An International Journal for the Theological Interpretation of Scripture, 28.
- Dekker, J. (2011, July 1). Youth share faith: An interview with Ronald Keener. Church Executive.
- Dekker, J. (2011). Resilience, theology and the edification of youth: Are we missing a perspective? The Journal of Youth Ministry, 9(2), 67- 89.
- Dekker, J. (2007). A response to Robert Johnston: Discerning the spirit in culture. Ex Auditu: An International Journal for the Theological Interpretation of Scripture, 23, 70-73.
- Dekker, J. (2007). Integrating worlds: Youth ministry in the 21st century. Common Ground Journal, 5(1), 11-20.
- Dekker, J. (2007). What are we doing with the faith development of adolescents in service projects: A response to Sherr, Garland, and Wolfer. The Journal of Youth Ministry, 6(1), 55-65.
- Dekker, J. (2004, April). Do our high schools promote spiritual Maturity? The Christian Educators Journal, 43(4).
Presentations
- "Generativity, Covenant Witness, and Jesus' Final Discourse," North Park Theological Seminary Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (2012)
- Participated in a Mission Leadership Forum Addressing Dr. Dean's Work Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church, Overseas Ministry Studies Center (December 2011)
- Participated as a Panelist Recommending Cultural Shifts in Adolescent Faith, Overseas Ministry Studies Center (December 2011)
- "Incarnational Youth Ministry and Contextualization," Association of Youth Ministry Educators (October 2011)
- "Short Term Missions: Room for Refinement: Thinking Through Adolescent Capacities and the Impact of STMs and Service Projects," Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (2009)
- "Response to Robert Johnston's Discerning the Spirit in Culture," North Park Theological Seminary Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (2007)
- "Response to Mark Allen Powell's Binding and Loosing," North Park Theological Seminary Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (2003)
- "The Adolescent's Understanding of Respect," North American Professors of Christian Education Conference (2003)
- "Generativity and Christian Formation," Evangelical Covenant Church Christian Formation Executive Committee, Chicago, Ill. (March 9, 2013)
- "Now for Some Good News About Youth Culture," Evangelical Covenant Church Central Conference Youth Pastors Gathering, North Park University (April 2012)
- "Adolescent Faith and Culture: Implications to Youth Ministry in the Church," Evangelical Covenant Church Canada Conference Annual Meeting (April 17, 2011)
- Joshua Generation Annual Conference, Taylor University (2010-12)
- "Between French Fries and Rice: Asian American Identity Formation and Related Youth Ministry Issues" co-presented with Joon Hwang, Urban Youth Workers Institute's Regional Conference RELOAD, North Park University (2010)
- "Lead Pastor-Youth Pastor Relationship," Leadership Matrix: Evangelical Covenant Church North Pacific Conference (March 6, 2010)
- Workshops on topics such as Respect, Empowerment, Assessment in Youth Ministry, Teaching Churches, Youth Nexus and Great Expectations in Youth Ministry, Youth Workers Connection: The Evangelical Covenant Church's Annual Conference for Youth Pastors (2004-08)
- "Hip Hop—Rap Redeemable?," Recharge, Evangelical Covenant Church, North West Conference Youth Ministry Conference (2008)
- "Urban Youth Ministry is Like ... Considering Metaphors, " Urban Youth Workers Institute's Annual Conference, Azusa Pacific University (2007)
- "Developmental Urban Youth Work," Urban Youth Workers Institute's Regional Conference RELOAD, North Park University (2006)
Invited Reviews
- Dekker, J. (2007). [Review of the book The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture, by E. Smith & P Jackson]. Journal of Youth Ministry, 5(2), 102-106.
- Dekker, J. (2006). [Review of the book Men's Ministry in the 21st Century, by B. Lewis, ed.]. Christian Education Journal, 3(2), 427-429.
- Dekker, J. (2004, November). [Review of the book The Search to Belong: Rethinking Intimacy, Community, and Small Groups, by J. R. Myers]. The Covenant Companion.
