Hi! My name is Renee Christensen, and I am from Shafer, MN. I am a first year at Augsburg University, planning to double major in Clinical Psychology and Theology and Public Leadership. I was an AYTI participant in 2018 and fell in love with Augsburg! What I like most about Augsburg is the community that we have here on campus. The amazing and supportive staff and students have made this community feel like home. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be surrounded with each day! I am currently involved with Riverside Singers and Student Ministries. When I’m home, you’ll usually find me curled up with a good book, being outdoors, or snuggling with my cats. I am so grateful for this opportunity and excited to see where it takes me!
More About Marty
Marty Wyatt has been the Program Assistant for the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute since 2016. Prior to this, Marty worked as a coffee shop manager at the MSP airport. He completed a BA in Women’s Studies at Augsburg in 2012, and is currently in the Master of Divinity program at Luther Seminary. While a student at Augsburg, Marty was a Youth Theology Institute mentor and even attended the Institute as a high school student way back in its beginning years. Marty loves being a part of this program that encourages youth to embrace deep theological questions and explore where their passions meet the needs of the world and where God is calling them.
When he’s not at Augsburg, Marty enjoys reading, sewing quilts, and cross-stitching. He’s been a Minnesotan his whole life, and grew up on a family farm just north of the Twin Cities. He now lives in North Minneapolis with his husband and fur babies (2 cats, 1 dog). His one year old boxer mix keeps him especially busy and reminds him daily of the importance of play.
Marty feels incredibly blessed to be a part of the Augsburg University community again as a staff person and is proud of the work that Augsburg, the Christensen Center for Vocation, and the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute do for and with young people, our communities, and the wider church.
Introducing our 2019-20 AYTI Ambassador, Grace P
Hi! My name is Grace Porter (pronouns She/Her/Hers), and I am a second year studying Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies and a Minor in Music here at Augsburg University. It sounds like a lot but it really just means that I love working with kids, my faith, and music! Speaking of my faith, I am currently a student deacon working with Student Ministries on campus and using my love of music in choir and in the campus a cappella group, Convocadence! You might recognize me as mentor Gracie from AYTI 2019; fun fact, I was also a participant in AYTI 2017! If you can’t tell, I love this program, and Augsburg University. I also love musical theater and exploring new places, and I am the annoyingly positive person who can get up with the sun 🙂
Interview with AYTI Program Assistant Marty Wyatt, former participant and mentor
AYTI Ambassador Ian Heseltine interviewed Marty Wyatt, AYTI Program Assistant, to learn more about the impact of Marty’s participation in Augsburg’s Youth Theology Institute. In 2007, Marty was a youth participant, and he was a mentor in 2008 and 2009. In addition to his role at Augsburg, Marty is pursuing a masters of divinity at Luther Seminary.
Here is Marty’s response:
Honestly, the week [of Youth Theology Institute] made me want to come to Augsburg for my undergrad. Looking back this is the biggest impact because of how going to Augsburg impacted my life. I would have never met the people I did or experienced the city if I didn’t go to Augsburg, and that started with the Theology Institute. The Institute introduced me to Augsburg’s campus, professors, students, and staff. They seemed to genuinely care about people and the community. It made me want to get to know them better and be a part of this community that cared so deeply for each other.
I think during the week my faith was renewed. High school can be a hard and isolating time for some and the Institute reignited my faith in a powerful way. I learned (or re-learned?) to look for God in everything, from the mundane to the exceptional. The Institute opened a way of thinking about faith differently than I had before. I began to think critically about what I believe and why, which over time led to a deepening of my faith that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t critically examine it first. Continue reading “Interview with AYTI Program Assistant Marty Wyatt, former participant and mentor”
Meet Morgan – 2019 AYTI Mentor
My name is Morgan Baumbach. I’m from Farmington, Minnesota and going into my third year of college. I absolutely love Augsburg because of its location. It’s right down in the heart of the Twin Cities, and I love being a part of it all! I also love Augsburg because of its choice of Majors!! I was able to transfer and then double Major and Minor in my two dream Majors/Careers: Theatrical Design and Technology AND Theology and Public Leadership, with a Youth Studies Minor. When I graduate, I want to tour with a band/music group or theatre production nationally and internationally and travel the world. Then once I settle down I want to go into youth ministry. Last summer I worked at Camp Wapo as a Camp Counselor and absolutely loved it. I am SO excited to be able to be a mentor at AYTI this summer and bring a little bit of that camp feel to the big city!!
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Grace P- 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hi! My name is Grace Porter and I am from Eden Prairie, MN and a first year here at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Theology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies and a minor in Music. My favorite thing about Augsburg is the people-I have created so many new relationships I know I will value for a long time! When I graduate, I want to work with kids in the church, and hopefully direct a youth choir as well. I attended AYTI a few years ago and it was one of the best weeks of my life! I grew so much in faith and friendships and had so many wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Attending the program is also one of the big reasons I chose to attend Augsburg, and I love it here just as much as I thought I would!
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Mallory – 2019 AYTI Mentor
My name is Mallory Harris. I’m from the south side of Chicago. I am a junior at Augsburg, majoring in communication studies. My future goals include being a director of photography and a motivational speaker. My favorite thing about being an Auggie is the commitment and foundation built on helping others. I’m excited to engage with students and get to be a part of something larger than myself.
Meet Lizzy – 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hello! My name is Lizzy Hoversten, and I am from Viroqua, Wisconsin. I just finished my first year at Augsburg University, studying Management with a minor in Communication Studies.
At Augsburg I have enjoyed finding myself in new settings and getting to know new people. There are a number of paths I could pursue, and I have very specific hopes for my Management degree, but if those do not pan out I will hopefully go to law school. I am incredibly enthusiastic for this summer’s AYTI theme of Stewarding Creation in our Neighborhoods: Science and Theology in Action. I will be taking a week break from working at a summer camp to come back to Augsburg and engage with youth who are passionate about theology and want to learn how we are called to be faithful stewards to our habitat.
Meet Ian – 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hello!
My name is Ian Heseltine. I’m a second year at Augsburg University. I am majoring in Music, Media & Management with a minor in Religion. My hometown is Alexandria, MN, two hours west of Minneapolis. In the future I hope to be managing artists or their tours.
My favorite thing about Augsburg is how connected you are to your friends, faculty, staff, and administration. Our average class size is 16, so you really get to build a relationship with professors and in return they become invested in your education.
I’m so excited to be returning this summer to be an AYTI mentor again! Which is such an incredible and indescribable week that I believe all youth should experience! I can’t wait to have all of our 2019 AYTI students here at Augsburg to learn more about God, reflect on God, and serve their communities through God.
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Grace- 2019 AYTI Mentor
Hey everyone!
My name is Grace Koch Muchahary. I’m from India. I am a first year student at Augsburg University majoring in Sociology. I am really glad to be called an Auggie, and I love the surroundings over here. My favorite thing is the people who are really very good and help each other with every need. My future goals are to become a greater youth leader and a social worker as a missionary. I am really excited for the AYTI program, to meet new people, and get to learn many new things.
Learn more about this summer’s Augsburg Youth Theology Institute at https://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/