About IYS
The Institute for Youth Studies mission is simple: We exist to encourage, equip, & empower global youth ministers. Learn more about our story, the burden we bear, our team and the annual theme for this year.
Our Story
High in the mountains of the Philippines, during a youth ministers’ summit with leaders from across Asia, Mark prayed a simple yet life-shaping prayer:
“God, I love youth, cultures, and training leaders. I’ll go where You want me to go and do what You want me to do—but I’d love to use all of my tools—my education, experience, talents, and gifts—to impact youth around the world.”
In His goodness, the Lord entrusted Mark with a compelling vision to encourage, equip, and empower global youth ministers. It was an epiphany that forever changed the course of his life.
Our Burden
A generation is in crisis.
Anxiety. Loneliness. War. Broken families. Empty hearts.
But Jesus changes everything!
IYS inspires youth ministers worldwide to ignite gospel transformation in their communities—so young people everywhere can know Christ and make Him known. Together, we’re shining His light and bringing hope into the darkness (1 John 1:5).
Our Mission
We exist to encourage, equip, & empower global youth ministers.
Our mission is undergirded by the following values:
We Activate
Faith moves us to action.
(James 1:22)
We Contextualize
Ministry methods change—Christ’s mission does not. (1 Corinth. 9:22–23)
We Affirm
Encouragement fuels endurance.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We Collaborate
Together, the Church is stronger.
(Acts 2:42–47)
We Pray
Every breakthrough begins with prayer.
(Proverbs 3:5–6)
We're Spirit-Led & Strategic
We plan faithfully and follow fearlessly.
(Acts 1:8; Heb. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:9–10)
We Appreciate Variety
Diversity displays God’s beauty.
(Ephesians 4:11–13)
This Year's Annual Theme:
Fan the Flame - Ignite a Generation
Have you ever built a campfire? If you simply leave it alone, the flames die down, the heat fades, and eventually all that remains are glowing embers.
The Apostle Paul understood this reality when he wrote to Timothy. In one of his final letters, Paul urges a young pastor not merely to believe the gospel, but to tend the fire of his calling. At The Institute for Youth Studies (IYS), this passage shapes our heartbeat: to help youth ministers fan the flame of their calling so that, by God’s grace, they might ignite a generation for Christ. This is more than inspiration—it is formation. Paul gives us a framework worth training into.
Support Our Mission
You can support the IYS mission of encouraging, equipping and empowering global youth ministers by giving your time and talents, your prayers or a monetary gift.