Welcome to The John Hancock Center

	Welcome to the new, and official, Internet presence for the John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry. We are developing this site to provide a resource not just for the Hancock Center, but for others seeking youth ministry information. If you are unfamiliar with the Hancock Center, we ask that you first find out a little more about us by reading our mission statement and history. Currently online, we have information on Valuegenesis², Hancock Center publications, and a list of current projects. Soon we hope to add links to our online store, and training events. John Jones, Ph. D. Chairman V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D. Executive Director

BACKGROUND The John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry, located on the campus of La Sierra University, is a research and resource center providing support to youth ministry professionals, and parents worldwide. The Hancock Center was established in direct response to recommendations from the Valuegenesis research taskforce. Following the comprehensive Valuegenesis inquiry into the formation of faith, values and commitment among Adventist youth, the Project Affirmation Taskforces formulated clear recommendations for immediate planned change. They called their recommendations "Imperatives for Action." These visions of a more effective church included an unprecedented call for the establishment of youth ministry centers to support and expand the educational efforts of the union and local conference youth ministry leadership. The recommendations concluded with this clear call: "In response to the need to renew professional and volunteer youth ministry, we recommend that youth ministry resource and research centers be established." On May 23, 1991 the La Sierra University Board of Trustees voted the establishment of the center as an official university entity and approved the commencement of both fund-raising and educational activities. The John H. Hancock Center for Youth Ministry had come into being.		VISION To provide national leadership and resources to aid those working with Adventist youth and young adults in better understanding them, and the effects of the home, church, and school on their faith maturity, and values development. OUR MISSION To provide statistical based resources and training to parents, pastors, and educators as they help youth and young adults to develop a high level of mature faith, and solid core values.

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	Valuegenesis² This project is unprecedented in size scope. In Valuegenesis² we conducted a population sample of almost 25,000 students in Seventh-day Adventist schools. This is almost twice the number of respondents that was achieved in the original Valuegenesis project of 1989. Valuegenesis² involves in –depth observations of highly effective congregations and schools. It place high priority on bring new information and insight to your schools. The project aims at making a positive difference in the lives of youth in the family, church, and school. It will do this by identifying those things one can do to develop and maintain effective ministry and nurture in these venues. This, in turn, will strengthen the faith of our children, teenagers, and adults Here’s quick look at some of the things we’re hoping to learn from Valuegenesis²: Valuegenesis² Update Archive


	The Project Affirmation: Valuegenesis study of Adventist youth begun in 1989 was an important landmark study carried out by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. It was without question the largest and most comprehensive study ever made of church youth. It assessed their faith and values in the context of the most influential institutions: family, church, and school. It was possible to identify what it was in those venues that encouraged a mature faith, and positive values development. The impact of the study set in motion a whole series of events—planned changed conferences, vision-to-action focus groups, new concerns, attitudes, training programs, priorities of the home, school, and church, and publications—that resulted in more effective way to help youth to a life of commitment and loyalty to the Adventist church. Valuegenesis²


		• A description of Adventist education today compared to 10 years ago. • Better understanding of the experiences, needs, and spiritual interest of teenagers. • A national overview of Adventist Christian education programs—their breadth, impact, resources, climate, and quality. • Isolation and explanation of the factors that promote effective family environments, congregational effectiveness and school quality. • Comparisons between the youth of 10 years ago and today in hundreds of areas of personal life and growth • A look at practical way congregations can strengthen Christian education programs,, and family life ministry for children, teenagers, and young adults.

	• Resource information and new material to help congregations plan and implement effective change. • Descriptions of innovation, forward-looking educational concepts and ideas • Comparisons between values, commitments, and lifestyle choices between Generation X and the new Millennial Generation.


		If you need any help getting more information about the Hancock Center, the things we do, and the ways to help contribute, please use this information: Events & Products — Contributions/Donations
			Hancock Center 4500 Riverwalk Pkwy Riverside, CA 92515 USA hcyfm@lasierra.edu

	Telephone Number: 951.785.2091 / Fax Number: 951.785.2199


	Valuegenesis² - Current Updates “Update!” is the newsletter of the Valuegensis² research and is published monthly. To subscribe click here and place “subscribe” in the subject line of the email. Back issues are available for download here. Update! Vol 9: It's All About Values Update! Vol 10: At-Risk Behaviors, Experimental vs. Regular, Insights on At-Risk Behaviors Update! Vol 11: How Important is Youth Ministry, Frequency of Youth Ministry, What about Pathfinders? Update! Vol 12: Families and Faith, Family Style and Type, Family Faith Building Update! Vol 13: Positive Influences in the Home, Church, and School; Faith Maturity and Ethnicity Update! Vol 14: Ten Years Later: A Study of Two Generations Update! Vol 15: What Nurtures A Mature Faith, Programming Issues For Grades Seven and Eight, First Choices of Issues To Explore In High School. Go to Archived Updates Back to Valuegenesis²


	Valuegenesis² - Archived Updates Update! Vol 1: Faith Maturity Index, Prosocial Behavior Concerns Update! Vol 2: Personal Religious Life, Personal Piety Issues Update! Vol 3: Grace vs Works Orientations – What Makes A Difference Update! Vol 4: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religious Experience, and School Attitudes Update! Vol 5: Family Religious Life, Family Worship Practices, Parents and Faith-Talk Update! Vol 6: Thinking about the Church, Factors influencing leaving, Youth Ministry and the Church Update! Vol 7: It's All About Family Update! Vol 8: Love My School, Love My Church Back to Current Updates Back to Valuegenesis²