Center for Faith Formation and Culture

The Center for Faith Formation and Culture collaborates with the church to nurture authentic, vibrant faith at all stages of life within our current cultural contexts.

The center carries out the following work:

  • prepares graduates to lead faith formation in congregations and communities that aligns with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ;
  • names, analyzes and navigates cultural shifts and their impact on congregational life;
  • trains missional leaders to be savvy readers of culture in order to effectively share the Gospel of love, hope and reconciliation;
  • equips faculty to teach young adult students;
  • provides resources for congregations, schools, camping programs, denomination and national church, conference and area church, conventions and other ministries;
  • oversees !Explore: A Theological Program for High School Youth as it encourages young people to explore theological study and listen for God’s call.

The Center for Faith Formation and Culture establishes an unequaled resource in Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA that help us witness effectively to God’s work in our culturally rich and complex world.

Voices of support

"The Center for Faith Formation and Culture explores positive ways of being impacted by cultural changes without being simply blown by the wind. In short, the positive impact of the center is far ranging for both Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA." — Bruce Baergen, Manager, Western Canadian Software, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta; Chair, AMBS Board of Directors

"This Center for Faith Formation and Culture is an initiative whose time has come! This dynamic church center equips leaders to fearlessly form communities around life-giving practices of faith. We need a center that can serve as a cultural beacon, reminding us all of how alluring a healing and hope-filled culture that throbs to God’s rhythms can be." — Sara Wenger Shenk, former President, AMBS

Andy Brubacher Kaethler, Assistant Professor of Christian Formation and Culture
Andy Brubacher Kaethler, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Christian Formation and Culture
Director, Center for Faith Formation and Culture

!Explore

The Center for Faith Formation and Culture administers !Explore: A Theological Program for High School Youth. The program provides young people in grades 10, 11 and 12 with enriching experiences that grow their leadership gifts both at AMBS in Elkhart, Indiana, and in their home congregation. It also provides AMBS students with the opportunity to serve in a mentoring role as event pastors while they are on campus.