Date

6-16-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Alvin W. Dockett

Keywords

Discipleship, media, digital, youth, salvation

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

This dissertation examines the development and implementation of MeXHim.com, a youth discipleship website designed to address the pressing need for accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant tools to engage middle and high school students in their spiritual journeys in Christ. The platform focuses on three core areas: Salvation, Prayer, and Church connection opportunities, providing a digital space where youth can explore faith-based areas and take actionable steps in their relationship with Christ. The project emerges in response to the growing disconnect between traditional church outreach methods and the digital-first lifestyles of younger generations, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to discipleship that resonate with today’s youth. This study focuses on empowering youth to actively participate in disciple-making by equipping them to share their faith authentically within their peer groups. Central to this effort is the involvement of a focus group comprising six youth members of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, who play a pivotal role in every stage of the website’s development. Through structured focus group discussions, these youth engage in ideation, content creation, video production, and usability testing, collaboratively shaping a platform that speaks to their generation. The findings underscore the critical need for digital tools that align with the lived realities of youth while maintaining a firm grounding in theological principles. The study demonstrates how active participation in ministry initiatives can foster spiritual maturity, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of discipleship among youth. Moreover, it highlights the potential for digital platforms like MeXHim.com to bridge the gap between traditional church outreach and the evolving needs of younger audiences.

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