It was so good the first two times around that we’re doing it again! The Northeast Youth Ministry Summit will be happening March 17 to 20 in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. So far, we have youth workers registered from multiple states across the U.S., along with Mexico and Canada! They’re coming together to a youth worker training event that we’ve worked very hard to curate in ways that we believe God will use to increase your ministry effectiveness as you labor to see the advancement of His Kingdom!
So many have asked, “What makes the Northeast Youth Ministry Summit unique?” Here are some of the marks of NYSM that we hope will encourage you to join us.
First, we’re committed to seeing NYMS marked by biblical faithfulness and theological depth. We’ve pulled together a group of trainers who are rooted in God’s Word, and who will take you from where you are at in your knowledge and ministry skill into greater depth and maturity, all with practical strategies and tools. While some of the names an faces may be new to you, you can be sure that their experience, wisdom, and expertise will be beneficial to you as you work to build your own ministry skills and knowledge.
Second, we are building NYMS around a theme that warrants urgent attention in our current world. Our theme this year is “Changing Word, Unchanging Word.” As youth ministry leaders, our high calling and great privilege is to faithfully bring the light of God’s unchanging Word into the lives of our students and their families with the balance of grace and truth. We desire to see them come to saving faith in Jesus Christ while growing into a lifetime of biblically-faithful, whole-life Christian discipleship as they endeavor to live to the glory of God. In effect, we are cross-cultural missionaries who need to know both God’s Word and the cultural context of today’s world. God is calling us to effectively lead by becoming like the people of Issachar, understanding the times and knowing what the people of God are to do (I Chronicles 12:32).
Third, we have worked to put together an event that facilitates intimacy and community among attendees. Holding this at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center, capping registration numbers (no more than 200. . . so register soon!), and eating good food together every meal makes this happen organically. This was one of the highlights for everyone the last two years. The dining hall and our small group processing times were marked by conversation and laughter. It was a joy to watch it all happen!
Fourth, we are not only committed to training you for youth ministry, but to ministering to your heart and mind as well. We have created space each evening after a day full of training and a good dinner to come together first to worship, second to sit together under the preaching of God’s Word (Dr. Chris Walker will be preaching on from and on God’s Word), and third, to end our day with a relaxed time of just being together to socialize in the presence of one another.
Fifth, we’ve been deliberate about pulling together a team of trainers who have longevity, who have worked with students in a variety of settings, and who have expertise/experience which we all need. If you go to the NYMS website, you will find names that you recognize. Some names may not be familiar, but all of our speakers have deep expertise rooted in experience. One particular option that I’m especially excited about is providing seminars with some counselors who have walked through some sticky stuff with students and who can help you do the same, along with several seminars on working with kids who have disabilities of all types. Check out the speakers and the seminar titles at the NYMS page.
Finally, you’ll be exposed to a variety of youth ministry resources, many of which will be new to you. We see NYMS as a “springboard” and “launching” event. Yes, you will leave somewhat discouraged for the simple reason that you will be saying “goodbye” to a host of new friends and a great time together. . . kind of like what your students feel on the drive home from the weekend retreat. But you will also leave refreshed, challenged, encouraged, and with an arsenal of new resources to use as you build your ministry to students.
There’s so much more that will happen at this year’s Northeast Youth Ministry Summit, and I’m personally excited to see what God has in store for the group that he is pulling together. I invite you and your team to join us! You can learn more and register here.
I hope to see you at the Summit!
And a big thanks to this year’s NYMS sponsors! . . .
