What's a Timothy Scholar? 

Doctoral Fellows in Practical Theology and Christian Education, named as “Timothy Scholars” by the Foundation for Evangelism/Princeton Seminary for outstanding leadership in Mission and Youth/Young Adult Ministry.  they are available to help you in many leadership capacities. These persons could be reached by contacting Kenda Dean at Princeton University.  

The Rev. Stephen Cady, originally from Kansas, is a probationary member of the Kansas East Annual Conference, and served as an associate pastor (working with youth and families, as well as preaching) in the Chicago area.  A lifelong United Methodist and graduate of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and Ohio Wesleyan University, he currently serves as pastor at Kingston United Methodist Church in Kingston, NJ.  Stephen started his professional life as an actor and wound up as a youth pastor when he found himself wishing more young people would go into ministry. He describes his years as a youth pastor as "the happiest days of my life." Stephen's particular interest is in the intersection of popular culture and communicating the gospel to young people in a way that maintains the distinctiveness of Christian tradition.  He and his wife Emily are the parents of Ellie, age one, and they are expecting their second child in October.

Research and Teaching Interests

Popular culture and youth ministry

Communicating the gospel with young people

Worship and youth/young adult ministry

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

*  *  *  *  *  *

The Rev. Katherine (Katie) Marie Douglass, originally from Ohio, has served as the youth pastor of the ecumenical American Church in Bonn, Germany for the past year. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and Grove City College. Katie is a passionate educator and pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  She served on the youth ministry teams of several churches before becoming a youth minister in her own right following graduation.  Katie and her husband John are passionate about all outdoor activities--and Katie's particular research interests focus on education and adolescent faith formation, and on honing research methods that listen to the voices of youth themselves.  

Research and Teaching Interests

Why Calvin’s theology matters in youth ministry

Faith and pregnancy

The importance of the family in faith formation

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

Becoming more effective teachers in the church

*  *  *  *  *  *

The Rev. Amanda Hontz Drury is ordained in The Wesleyan Church and has served as the youth pastor at Doylestown United Methodist Church in Doylestown, Pennsylvania before starting the Ph.D. program in practical theology at Princeton Seminary.  She has taught graduate courses in youth ministry and postmodern theology at Indiana Wesleyan University, and is a regular participant in Wesleyan studies gatherings.  Amanda is a frequent speaker and preacher at churches, youth conferences and denominational youth ministry training events. Amanda finds preaching and teaching equally important paths to reaching young people with the gospel.  Amanda and her husband John have an infant son, Sam.

Research and Teaching Interests

Partnering with families in youth ministry

Marriage and the ministry

The power of testimony and adolescents

Worship and youth ministry

Money, sex and power in youth ministry

Recruiting, training, and leading adult volunteers

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

*  *  *  *  *  *

The Rev. Drew A. Dyson is an ordained Elder in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.  In addition to serving local churches in Bridgewater, Clinton, and Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Drew was Executive Director of the Shared Mission Focus on Young People of the General Board of Discipleship.  He was the team leader and primary author of General Conference legislation creating the Division on Ministries with Young People of the General Board of Discipleship in 2004.  Drew has written several books on youth ministry, and is a sought after speaker for annual conference youth events and youth ministry training workshops.  A John Wesley Fellow and self-described political “junkie,”  Drew finds national politics second only to General Conference for excitement.  He lives in Bloomsbury, New Jersey with his wife Diane and their children, Allison and Jeremy.

Research and Teaching Interests

Integrating personal piety and social outreach in ministry with young people

Why Wesley’s theology matters to young adults

Leadership and spiritual vitality in ministry

Ministry with junior highs

Mission and youth/young adult ministry

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

(Also consults with individual churches about strengthening youth and young adult ministry)

*  *  *  *  *  *

Mr. Jason Brian Santos is an Ohio native with an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Systematic Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School, and a B.S. in Youth Sociology from North Central University.  He was a youth minister for eight years in London (UK), Chicago, Bonn, Germany, and Princeton.  He continues to speak on youth related issues both in the US and internationally, and is pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  This year he finished his first book, A Community Called Taize (IVP), with a foreword by Desmond Tutu, endorsed by the brothers of the Taize community.  A passionate food activist, fan of exotic pets, and poker ace, he and his wife, Shannon have a seven year old son, Judah.

Research and Teaching Interests

The role of communities in the faith formation of young people

What youth ministry can learn from intentional communities

Spiritual practices and youth ministry

The Taize Community’s lessons for youth ministry in the U.S.

Worship and young people

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

*  *  *  *  *  *

The Rev. D. Andrew Zirschky has a decade of experience as a youth and college minister at churches in Idaho, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.  Raised in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, he served (simultaneously) as a reporter, a graphic designer, and director of high school ministry before finally becoming a youth minister in Twin Falls, Idaho.  While in Twin Falls, Andrew developed an interest in the fledgling emerging church movement through his work in young adult/college ministry.  A graduate of Northwest Nazarene University and Princeton Theological Seminary, he currently volunteers as a youth leader at Princeton Alliance Church.  Andrew and his wife Kristina have two small children, Evan and Anna.  When in Idaho he says he enjoys snowboarding and white water rafting.  In New Jersey he says he reads, writes, and takes an occasional jog.

Research and Teaching Interests

Faith & adolescent brain development

The role of sacraments and practices in Christian formation

Youth ministry in missional and emerging contexts

The impact of technology on adolescent faith and development

Forming sustainable faith in youth and young adults

The role of doubt in the faith formation of young adults

Changes in youth ministry for the twenty-first century church

(Also consults with individual churches about strengthening youth and young adult ministry)