A Word About the Youth Director

Lisa Stine

Lisa Stine has served as the Director of Youth Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, since March 1, 1983. She earned her baccalaureate degree in psychology from Indiana University (Bloomington), and her Masters in Social Work from Indiana University (Indianapolis), where her emphasis was family and group work. During her tenure at Westminster, Lisa has served as a member of the Christian Education Committee for the Presbytery of the Cascades, worked as a resource person and dean for multiple Presbytery summer camps and on the Presbytery's Sacred Space Task Force, represented the Synod of the Pacific as the adult delegate to the National Presbyterian Youth Ministry Council for six years, and was a member of the Design Team for the 1995 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. She is a member of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, and has served on the Design Team for the PC(USA) Continuing Education Event for Youth Ministry Professionals.

Lisa's passion for youth ministry was born in her middle school and high school experiences in the United Methodist Church, with its rich tradition of outstanding camping and commitment to service.

Her philosophy of youth ministry was molded by the late David Ng, whose book "Youth in the Community of Disciples" became the guideline for Westminster's program in the fall of 1983. The model for partnership with youth and adults that is the framework for the Presbyterian Youth Connection is the structure upon which Westminster's youth ministry stands. "The life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the ever-present urging of the Holy Spirit, are the unshakable cornerstones upon which I base my ministry, and from which I gain direction, insight, and strength for all of life," says Lisa.

Lisa and her husband Jon have been members at Westminster since June of 1983. They have been on two Habitat for Humanity Global Village trips together with others from Westminster, one in 2001 to Poland and the other to Hungary in 2004. They also share a deep love for the work of Heifer Project International.