Young Adult Leadership Lab 2025 Spring Gathering
Welcome to the Young Adult Leadership Lab! We're looking forward to having you with us at Westmont for our gathering May 30-June 1. We're excited for this time of learning, reflection, team-building, and rest.
2025 Registration is now open!
Travel and Accomodations
Driving Directions to Westmont:
To Westmont from points south:
Take 101 North to the Hermosillo Road exit. Continue on Hermosillo Road and turn right onto Hot Springs Road. Turn left onto Sycamore Canyon and then turn right onto Cold Springs Road. Enter campus through the first entrance on your lefthand side (Lower Cold Springs entrance). Continue straight and follow signs to Van Kampen Hall.
To Westmont from points north:
Take 101 South to the Coast Village exit (on the left). Turn right onto Coast Village and take the second left on the roundabout onto Hot Springs Road. Turn left onto Sycamore Canyon at the first stop sign. Turn right onto Cold Springs Road. Enter campus through the first entrance on your lefthand side (Lower Cold Springs entrance). Continue straight and follow signs to Van Kampen Hall.
Parking:
A map of campus may be found here. Please park on lower campus near Van Kampen Hall. Parking at Westmont is free and no permit is necessary in any lot.
We'll be staying at Westmont's Global Leadership Center on campus during our time together. Participants will be housed in single rooms with private restrooms. Linens will be provided. You'll have access to communal kitchen space that will be stocked with snacks throughout the retreat!
We suggest bringing the following items in light of planned activities.
- Mug and water bottle
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes for outdoor recreation such as hiking and extended walking
- Beach/pool attire
- Beach/pool towel
- Backpack
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
Santa Barbara often experiences cloud cover in the mornings and cooler temperatures in the evenings. Some warm clothes may be necessary.
Schedule
| 4:00-5:00pm | Retreat Check-In |
| 5:30-6:30pm | Welcome and Dinner |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Evening Workshops |
Saturday Schedule TBD
| 8:30-9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:15-9:45am | Worship |
| 9:45-10:00am | Break |
| 10:00-11:00am | Workshops |
| 11:00-11:30am | Guidance for the Year Ahead |
| 11:30am | Blessings and Sending |
| 12:00pm | Checkout and Departure with Lunch Available |
Meet Our Workshop Facilitators
Dr. Steven Argue serves as associate professor of youth, family, and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and as applied research strategist for the Fuller Youth Institute. Steve also leads Fuller Seminary's Doctor of Ministry in Youth, Family, and Culture program. Steve is the author of Young Adult Ministry Now, a publication based on his recent research with over 40 congregations. Prior to joining faculty at Fuller, Steve served in a variety of applied ministry settings. He came to Fuller Seminary from Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids where he served as pastor and theologian in residence. Steve has taught at a number of Christian colleges and seminaries including Cornerstone University, Bethel College in Indiana, and Jos Evangelical Theological School in Nigeria.
Steve completed his doctoral work at Michigan State University where his research explored how undergraduate students attending public universities navigate spiritual struggle.
Christen Foell directs the Westmont Young Adult Leadership Lab and also serves as the Director of Student Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, and Operations for the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts at Westmont. She is passionate about empowering first-generation college students and supporting the spiritual lives of youth and young adults. Christen is a 2001 alumna of Westmont College with a BA in Communication Studies. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Seton Hall University.
Sarah Garland is the Assistant Director of the Westmont Young Adult Leadership Lab (YALL). Passionate about listening and mentorship, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections across differences. Sarah earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from Westmont and spent a year in Ghana with International Justice Mission (IJM), advocating against child labor and human trafficking. In addition to her leadership with YALL, she co-directs Trailhead: Seeking God's Call, Westmont's summer program for high school students. Outside of her professional work, Sarah loves running, spending time at the beach, and is an aspiring yoga teacher. Her home church is Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara.
Caleb Roose is a project manager at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), where he advises and facilitates FYI church trainings and research, coaches and consults with churches around the country, and develops resources. The coauthor of two FYI resources (i.e., Sticky Faith Innovation: How Your Compassion, Creativity, and Courage Can Support Teenagers' Lasting Faith and Who Do You Say I Am?: 6 Session High School Curriculum Exploring Identity, Ethnicity, Race, Community, and Faith), Caleb is passionate about human-centered design, holistic discipleship, and fatherhood.
Caleb has worked in a variety of ministry and professional roles, including volunteering in youth ministries, serving as an associate pastor of discipleship and administration, counseling at and running youth camps, ministering in six different countries with Youth With a Mission (YWAM), and managing an after-school program for kids. A Southern California native, Caleb lives with his wife and three young children near Pasadena, CA.