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NYMC 2011
In October there were 40 people from WA who attended the National Youth Ministry Convention in the Gold Coast. It was a challenging & inspiring week to say the least. Here are a couple reflections from some participants:
Legendarily intense are the only two words that fit NYMC. I had so much fun and learnt more in that long weekend than I could of in a month. You get to meet new people, strengthen friendships, learn from people all over the world, experience what can only be described as awesome and best of all learn, talk with and worship God with several hundred other men and women who you know are committed to the same cause of bringing God’s children back to him. It changed my life this year and it’ll change yours in 2013, well, if you’re there.
~ James Middleton, ACTIVATE Student
I've been the youth pastor at Albany Church of Christ since March of this year. My time at NYMC has really been the first training and information session since I've had the job and it was an eye opening and challenging experience. Throughout the week, God continually showed me what should be at the heart of youth ministry and therefore where my heart should be.
As it is so easy to do, I realised I'd spent too much time getting caught up in the wrong goals. I wanted my youth group to grow, I wanted them to have fun and I wanted them to invite their friends from outside of church. I saw my small youth group, mostly comprised of kids who had grown up in Christian homes and been attending church their whole lives, and saw failure on my part. NYMC helped me to see that I shouldn't be chasing the biggest group or the most fun activities, nor should I assume that 'the Christian kids' don't need me. I was really challenged to go back and start focussing my ministry on preaching and sharing the gospel. Since returning to my church I have been able to start putting that in place - asking my kids to read their Bibles, starting with Mark's gospel, and devoting a lot more time at youth group to speaking about Jesus, rather than 5 minutes at the end. It's been met with great enthusiasm and positivity. I am focussing on the kids I have - strengthening, teaching and discipling them. NYMC was so helpful in clarifying what's the point of our role as youth ministers and I am incredibly thankful that I went.
~ Sarah Westgarth, Youth Pastor at Albany Church of Christ
WA Crew
Training & growth are a vital part of staying alive in Youth Ministry! You can download the NYMC main sessions and electives from the NYMC website.
RECHARGE 2011
We had a fantastic time at Recharge. 70 youth leaders from 14 of our churches. The highlight for me was definitely recieving from God through Brad Patterson. Brad is the Senior Pastor in Mukka and his passion and enthusiasm is very infectious. I also loved connecting with you all.
Here is what Sarah Rodriguez, Youth Leader At Kingsley Church of Christ had to say about the weekend;
Recharge was a great weekend where the youth leaders from both north and south had a chance to connect. We received encouragement from each other and exchanged ideas about how to better our youth groups. It was also a chance to connect further with the leaders in your own youth group, a chance to pray for each other and build stronger relationships. Recharge was an awesome weekend just to relax, learn a bit more about God, and feel refreshed and excited about what's to come in the next year for your youth group.
Well said Sarah! That captures the heart of RECHARGE perfectly. Can I encourage you to make sure that you get there next year.
Rod Thom