My Epic Journey

The Middle School Conference is less than a month away.  If you haven’t already, you need to register.  You can do so by clicking HERE.  We need adults to go as well.  If you are available and would like to join us click HERE.

Important Information:

When is it?                                                                                                                                                  October 2-4, 2009

Where is it being held?
Heartland Conference Retreat Center
3201 County Road 225
Marengo, OH 43334
Phone: (740) 747-0220
www.heartlandretreat.com

What Should I Bring?
Your registration will take care of everything you need. Just bring some clothes (Don’t forget at least one pair of warm clothes), personal hygiene items, towel for showering, a sleeping bag and pillow, an extra sock for scalps, a Bible, and a pen or pencil.

What does it cost?
The registration fee is $69 for students and adult leaders. A $10 late fee kicks in if your registration is received after Friday, September 11, 2009.

Last night was our first session at the GCC Pastor’s Conference in St. Louis.  Tom Short spoke.  Here is his outline:

5 Signs We May Be Ashamed of the Gospel

Text:  Romans 1.14-16

#1.  If we feel that what we offer is not of real value.

#2.  If we don’t know how to handle our faith in a relativistic, pluralistic, post-modern, multi-cultural society.

#3.  If we are afraid because the Gospel condemns men as sinners.

#4.  If we are afraid to called “hell-fire and brimstone preachers”

#5.  If we are fearful to take the Gospel into the public square.

It was a great challenge to what we are called to do as Great Commission Christians–and that is preach the Gospel with passion and fervency.

After some great worship with Tim Timmons and another devotional piece by Duffy Robbins, the day started differently than the last two. 

We no longer were in our 8 hour intensive tracks.  We could chose a number of different shorter tracks.  I chose Mark DeVries, president and founder of Youth Ministry Architects.  His track was on Building a Sustainable Youth Ministry.  Though I have been a youth pastor for 12 years, I know I can still learn a great deal about healthy youth ministry.

Over all I would give the conference a C+.  My only complaint is that I was hoping for a conference about WHERE youth ministry is GOING.  Not necessarily about where it has been and where it is at now.

If you interested in attending next year, click here.  It is in Chicago next year.