2026 Young Adult Leadership Lab Gathering
We're excited to host our 4th annual Young Adult Leadership Lab Gathering! We're looking forward to having you with us at Westmont for our gathering May 29-31. Please join us for a weekend of learning, reflection, worship, team-building, and rest.
Please note, this gathering is for current participating churches in our cohort. If you're interested in joining our network, please reach out to us at yall@westmont.edu.
2026 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.
- Water bottle
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes for outdoor recreation such as hiking and extended walking
- 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.
On Saturday, we’re excited to offer a cohort boat outing along the Santa Barbara coastline. This will be a wonderful time to connect and enjoy the view together! Please bring a jacket.
Schedule
| 4:00-5:30pm | Arrival and Check-In (Westmont GLC) |
| 5:30pm | Dinner on Campus | El Pastorcito |
| 6:00pm | Welcome | Christen Foell |
| 6:30pm | Team Activities & Sharing | Dr. Steven Argue |
| 8:00pm | Adjourn (optional recreational activities!) |
| 7:30am | Morning Hike or Garden Prayer Time (optional) |
| 8:30am | Breakfast | GLC |
| 9:00am | Framing the Day |
| 9:15am | Church Awareness & Support: Young Adult Transitions | Dr. Steven Argue |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 12:45pm | Panel: How Have You Been Changed by Young Adult Ministry? | Sarah Garland |
| 1:30pm | Creativity: Bridging the Gap through Ministry Innovation | Dr. Steven Argue |
| 3:00pm | Break |
| 4:15pm | Boat Cruise | Santa Barbara Harbor (tentative) |
| 6:30pm | Dinner | Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara |
| 7:30pm | Evening Worship | Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara |
| 7:00am | Morning Run | East Beach (optional) |
| 8:30am | Breakfast | GLC |
| 9:15am | Check Out of Rooms |
| 9:30am | Worship |
| 10:00am | Break |
| 10:15am | Next Faithful Steps | Dr. Steven Argue and Christen Foell |
| 11:45am | Blessing and Sending |
| 12:00pm | Departure (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 co-director of the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts. 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). Sarah is a ministry coach and advocate for young people. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from Westmont and spent a year in Ghana working with International Justice Mission (IJM). 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 enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach, and is an aspiring yoga teacher. Her home church is Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara.