Biographical Information:
Kara Powell, who joined the faculty in 2003, is the executive director of the
Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and assistant professor of youth and family ministry. Prior to serving at Fuller, Powell was as assistant professor of youth ministry and practical theology at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. In 2000, she completed her PhD in practical theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on pastoral role expectations. She also holds an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary and a BA in human biology from Stanford University, where she graduated with honors in 1991.
In addition to her roles at Fuller, Powell currently serves as advisor to Youth Specialties and volunteers in student ministries at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. She was the college pastor at Lake Avenue Church from 1995 to 1998, and associate youth minister at San Diego First Assembly of God from 1991 to 1995. During college, Powell cultivated an ongoing commitment to church/parachurch partnerships during her time on young Life student staff in the Stanford area.
Powell is the author of four
Sticky Faith books or curriculum, as well as
Essential Leadership: Training Onramps for Your Youth Ministry Team (2010),
Deep Justice Journeys (2009),
Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum (2009),
Deep Justice in a Broken World (2008),
Deep Ministry in a Shallow World (2006),
Help! I’m a Woman in Youth Ministry (2004), and
Mirror, Mirror (2003). She is a regular speaker at Youth Specialties Workers Convention, the Orange Conference, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, as well as retreats and conferences across the country.
Powell lives in Pasadena with her husband, Dave, who is a medical device engineer, and their children, Nathan, Krista, and Jessica.
Areas of Expertise, Research, Writing, and Teaching:
Practical theology, youth ministry, family ministry, junior high ministry, leadership development, youth ministry communication