YouthBuilders conferences help congregations build youth ministries

YouthBuilders conferences
help congregations build
youth ministries

TIPP CITY, Ohio—Jeb Egbert and Ted Johnson of the national youth ministry development team conducted a YouthBuilders conference in Tipp City, March 29, for about 70 pastors, youth ministry leaders and youth ministry workers from the Great Lakes and Mid-South districts.

Dr. Egbert and Mr. Johnston are conducting YouthBuilders conferences around the United States, inviting people who want to be equipped for disciple-making youth ministries in and through WCG congregations.

"I continue to find that these conferences are of great value in helping youth ministry teams from congregations learn how to think strategically, understanding more clearly what God has called them to do as teams in their local context," Mr. Johnston said. "The conferences are great places for such teams to do some dreaming together as well as some formulating of next steps in the development of youth ministries."

Mr. Johnston said he is always inspired when he hears in these conferences how God is moving in WCG congregational leaders to give birth to meaningful youth ministries.

"At this last conference, for example, Jim and Gwen Deshong, who pastor the Richmond, Indiana, congregation, reported how their congregation of about 14 regular attendees has gone from no young people to about five over the last few months," Mr. Johnston said. "That significant and joyful change occurred as they began to reach out intentionally to youths in existing relationships with members (such as their grandchildren) and to some who were previously unknown to our members."

They also received these new, young visitors with open, loving arms and immediately gave them a place in the life of the congregation. They have a worship service that ministers to the youths every week, just as they minister to all adults.

They involve the youths actively in that service as well as providing weekly classes for them outside of the worship service. Those youngsters now attend that congregation, not to be part of a huge throng of teens, but to be with adults they know love them and care about them in ways they receive and value.

"I want to encourage our folks to attend these YouthBuilders conferences as they come to their areas," Mr. Johnston said, "and also the regional conferences that have a significant youth ministry track this year."

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