Here in Alexandria, Minnesota, I’m part of a network of community youth workers called Allies. Together we planned to pool all our resources and bring all of our adult youth leaders together for a time of intense youth ministry training that none of us could otherwise do on our own. But then we figured if we’re going to put all the time into planning the event anyway, we might as well open it up to any other youth ministry organization that would like to join us. We know there are a lot of churches here in Minnesota and the surrounding states with youth groups that are led strictly by volunteers who have never received any training, nor do they have the time or financial resources for training like the NYWC or the NYMC. That’s why Allies decided to fund the entire training conference ourself and make it available for only $10 a person! If you’re in the area, we’d love to have you!

Jeremy Hughey from Dare 2 Share Ministries will be our featured speaker as he helps us understand how to feed teenagers who have no spiritual appetite. Other local youth workers, including myself, will teach workshop sessions:

• Moving students from spiritual apathy to spiritual passion.
• Dealing with the difficult and disruptive student.
• Answering the tough questions.
• Youth ministry for the right reasons.
• How to lead a small group.
• Using music in ministry.

Plus, there will be breakout discussion sessions to process the information with other youth workers and a panel of Christian counselors to publicly answer your questions on teen issues like depression, cutting, abuse, and more. Oh, and lunch is provided!

The Allies Conference is on Saturday, August 23, 2008, at my church from about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information and to register, visit our website at AlliesForYouth.com. If you can’t make it, but know of someone else in our area who could benefit from this training, please pass the information along to them. Thanks!