Undergraduate
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
Adult
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.
Graduate
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.
