Become Successful and Effective at Your Own Pace
Online Certification & Courses
Prepare to be Transformed
Group U offers online courses and certification to equip you to do one thing really, really, really well: transform lives through Jesus.
At Group U, you’ll become part of a vibrant learning community with others who have the same passion, while receiving practical training to make your ministry highly effective.
You are surrounded by a community of like-minded, heart-for-Jesus people. Online does not mean alone!
Group U is all about YOU
Practical — Not just theory but valuable tools you can use right away
Relevant — Designed to use in your ministry setting—immediately
Affordable — No need to travel or move into a dorm
Time-friendly — Access from anywhere and at any time on any device
Relational — Skills to use with people of all ages in your ministry
Self-paced — Works around your life and busy schedule
Adaptable — Open to any experience level to help you take the next step
Effective — Everything really works...it’s all tried and true so you learn from our mistakes
Community — You’ll find support from peers and Groupies who really care about you
Jesus-Centered — Biblical foundations using Jesus as our model leader
Access your courses anytime on multiple devices. Group U offers flexibility with the power of online learning!
You are In the Driver's Seat
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Explore certification and individual courses
Children's and Youth Ministry Certification available. Individual courses on topics like Understanding Kids Today, Empowering Volunteers, and Leadership Development can all be found at Group U. Each course is created to be manageable with your busy schedule and can be completed within a month.
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Register and pay
Select your course. Enter all the information plus a credit card number, and you can immediately access the course.
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Start immediately
In just a few minutes you could be learning and building effective and practical ministry skills. And our learning platform supports a ton of devices (computers, smartphones, tablets).
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Take a course, and you are on your way to certification!
Certification from Group U in Children’s or Youth Ministry is different from other online training providers. We don’t believe you should have to pay large amounts of money for a certification program that you might not even like or that doesn't fit your personality. At Group U, you take a course... if you like it, you take another one. If you complete 3 core leadership courses and 3 electives in either Children's or Youth Ministry, you will receive your Group U certification. And some special suprises are included with certification from Group U! But enough about that now. Take a course, enjoy a course, and you are on your way to certification. SIMPLE.
Group U courses are built by experts who don't just talk about ministry. They are doing it every day! They work with kids, teens, and adults. We call that walking the talk!
Build Your Ministry Skills
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Available NowLearn More
Leadership
THE R.E.A.L. APPROACH TO SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
Understand the unique and innovative R.E.A.L. approach to spiritual transformation in ministry.
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Available NowLearn More
Leadership
The L.I.F.E. Strategy for Recruiting and Equipping Volunteers
Understand an effective process for equipping today’s volunteers to serve in ministry.
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Coming January 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
Cultivating Courage in Kids
Design a fearless environment for children’s ministry where kids can cultivate courage with Jesus by their side.
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Coming March 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
Classroom Management: From Control to Cooperation
Develop classroom management skills that build friendship with kids in your care.
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Coming May 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
Partnering With Parents to Build Faith in Families
Understand and respond to families in your church so, together, you can grow friendship with Jesus.
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Coming July 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
Age Level Insights for Spiritual Development
Understand how kids grow friendship with Jesus at every age and stage of life.
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Coming September 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
How Kids Learn
Recognize how kids’ and leaders’ learning styles impact and inspire ministry to children.
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Coming November 2019Learn More
Children's Ministry
Helping Hurting Kids
Better understand hardships and challenges kids and families are facing today, and gain practical approaches to meeting them where they are with Jesus’ steadfast love.
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Coming February 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Growing Spiritual Grit in Teenagers
Create a ministry environment that helps teenagers build a stronger connection to the heart of Jesus, then helps them grow in their “core spiritual strength.”
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Coming April 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Jesus-Centered Youth Ministry
Learn practices that will help young people deepen their attachment to Jesus.
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Coming June 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Making Parents Your Allies in Youth Ministry
Discover how to equip parents to grow the faith of their teenagers organically, naturally, and effectively.
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Coming August 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Outreach Strategies for Youth Ministry
Understand how to call teenagers to evangelism and activism as they pursue a Jesus-centered missional identity.
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Coming october 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Engaging Youth Culture
Understand how to create a youth ministry that is powerfully relevant and gives kids the tools they need to discover, discern, and decide how they will consume their culture.
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Coming December 2019Learn More
Youth Ministry
Helping Hurting Teenagers
Discover how to represent Jesus to teenagers and build a ministry that reflects how he approached, honored, and cared for those he longed to redeem.
Sign-up for breaking news on course availability from Group U
Certification in Children's and Youth Ministry is more than just a piece of paper. It is a quiet confidence that you can handle what is ahead.
Children’s and Youth Ministry Certification Without the Loans
Sign-up for breaking news on course availability from Group U
Certification from Group U isn’t about passing a test or answering a bunch of questions; it's about improving your effectiveness in ministry today. Take a total of 6 courses (3 core leadership and 3 electives in either Children’s or Youth Ministry), and you can know that you are ready to be more effective right now. Yes, you’ll get a certificate, but you will also get peace of mind that you are taking advantage of every ministry opportunity that God places in front of you. At Group U, we don’t believe that paying a lot of money upfront really helps you improve your ministry skills. Simply take a course, enjoy a course, and you are on your way to certification. No loans needed — just a desire to grow your skills. And there are some special surprises that come with Group U certification! We’ll let you know what those are once you take your first course.
Great ministry leaders are not born. They are created and honed over time. Group U allows God space for true development to happen. Going past training to personal growth and development.
Become Part Of a passionate learning community
We believe that you learn better by being in relationship with others. That is why we are very intentional about building a vibrant learning community within Group U. We know that learning online can be a little lonely. Our goal is for you to feel supported and encouraged so that you can fulfill the purpose that God has called you to. Here are specific examples of how we build a great community within Group U.
Connecting Weekly
You will be able to connect weekly with others around course topics and assignments. This is a safe place where you can share your experiences and results. You will find encouragement and positive feedback that will help you continue to grow. These events are moderated so we will keep people on track and make good use of your time.
Private Online Community
When you signup to take a Group U course, you’ll be invited to join our private Facebook community. Only people taking courses will be allowed to participate. This community will be a place where ministry leaders can ask questions and learn from each other. It will also be moderated by ministry practitioners who have years of leadership experience and will assist with questions, prayer requests, and feedback.
U Connect
Each month you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a virtual classroom on a current ministry topic. This topic will be general and relevant to everyone in ministry. People in various ministry roles and in different courses will get together to talk about issues and topics that really matter and impact today’s leader.
So what are you waiting for? Group U is ready to transform you into the best ministry leader you can be.