We were born in the tragedy of death in order to bring hope and faith to life. Mert and Irene Strommen served as founders of The Youth & Family Institute (our former name) launching the non-profit organization in memory of their son David, a young seminarian and youth worker killed by lightening while leading a youth trip in the mountains of Colorado. The organization was founded on January 22, 1987.
The vision of the Strommens was to take the best of research and academic insight, embed it in the Christian theology of the cross, and instill an evangelical spirit of ministry to help congregations strengthen families and nurture faith. The first home for TYFI, now Vibrant Faith Ministries, was at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. One impact of being located on this campus was the establishment of the first youth and family ministry major at Augsburg.
Gifted and talented leaders nurtured the organization in these years including Paula Mott-Becker, Karen Fouks, Dr. Curt and Cathy Paulson, Dr. Chuck Bruning, Pastor Paul Harris and Dr. Roland Martinson. Generous grants from Lutheran Brotherhood helped sustain the organization.
In 1994 the board called Dr. Dick Hardel to serve as the executive director. Dr. Hardel gave creative life to the organization through his writing, speaking, and building of a program team. New team members included Dr. David Anderson, developer of the trademark Five Principles and Four Keys for faith formation; Ms. Marilyn Sharpe designer of Milestones Ministries, and Mr. Lyle Griner director of Peer Ministries, plus a host of associates. Vibrant Faith Ministries became widely known for connecting research to effective ministry practices. A new delivery system of conferences, resource sales, keynote speaking was established around a model called “The Child In Our Hands”. Many new programs and ideas were built into the model including Peer Ministry Training, Hand In Hand congregational training, Kiosk resource sales, The FaithChest, FaithTalk cards and much more.
Vibrant Faith Ministries left the campus of Augsburg College in 2003 and relocated at Martin Luther Manor in Bloomington, MN, before moving to its current location in 2006.
In July 2007, the board called Dr. Paul Hill to serve as the new executive director. Dr. Hill brings expertise in adolescent ministry, boys and men’s ministry, adventure education and outdoor ministries. He, along with the board and TYFI team, set three priorities for the organization:
- Equipping congregations, families and individuals through our Vibrant Faith Ministries services
- Identifying, cultivating and launching emergent new leaders and ministries
- Supporting underserved and multi-cultural ministries
Vibrant Faith Ministries lives out these priorities at 1601 W. Old Shakopee Road, Minneapolis, MN 55431.