There is an urgent, growing need to fill the pipeline for the next generation of church and ministry leaders. In response, Hope International University hosted the PURSUE Conference of CIY (Christ in Youth) for the second straight year. Pursue is an event for high school juniors and seniors to explore ministry as a career path and cultivate a like-minded community.

The 2-day event, hosted on the HIU campus, was led by the faculty of HIU's Pacific Christian College of Ministry & Biblical Studies. Events included worship, special messages, a service project with OC United, social outings, and dinner at President Paul Alexander's home. Attendees were engaged in various opportunites to explore their call into ministry.

Birthed in 2018, the Pursue Conference has now expanded across the country and has activated over 400 high school students to take the next steps into a life of ministry. Participants connect with college students, ministry professors, and Christian ministry leaders to learn, pray, worship, and discuss this specific type of Kingdom Work. These events are available to be hosted by CIY Initiative Partners, including Hope International University. 

Each summer, CIY sees 2,000+ students answer a call to commit their life to vocational ministry. The partnership with HIU gives these students a unique opportunity to investigate that calling, to explore how their passions align with God’s heart, and to discover practical next steps to pursue the calling on their life.