Life after NYMC
Six months ago we gathered in Cincinnati for 3 days of incredible conversations at the Group /SYM National Youth Ministry Conference. My prayer is that you returned to your church equipped and refreshed by the experience. More importantly, I hope what impacted you at NYMC is still evident in your life. I know how easy it is to leave on a conference high… but what matters most is if something (or someone) at the National Youth Ministry Conference made a lasting difference.
I’d love to hear how you’re doing today…
Would you please take a minute to share your story. It would mean a lot to me. So many people thanked me during the conference and told me great stories and I wish I would have written them all down.
What should you write? Well, maybe an idea impacted your ministry, or you’re still in touch with a friend from an affinity group, or you quit youth ministry to work at Wal-Mart. We really want to know how you’re doing now, because our ministry isn’t about time at a conference, it’s about you. Hearing your voice helps us serve you better this next year.
Doug
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Well, where do I begin?! The conference has affected my life in so many different areas it is hard to put into words (but for encouraging reasons, I will try…ha!)
My husband and I are youth leaders in our church and we attended the best three day conference ever! We never had a honeymoon, but by golly this was so awesome for us spiritually, emotionally and in our relationship….that I think it was better than if we would have taken one! We were filled with appreciation, love, encouragement, acknowledgement and awesome ideas.
When we came home we had a teen meeting as always, but the outcome was overwhelmingly different! The teens could feel and see the difference. They could feel the Holy Spirit moving in us and that night we used the blow up icebreaker ball, did a few different things and shared our experience. The excitement that we had from the conference carried over into our meeting and our voices and into our kids’ hearts. That night we told them that we just wanted to love on them. As we prayed for each kid individually and specifically if they needed, our whole group broke out in tears and fears and things they were hurting from. We just went down the line, one kid after another! Then afterward, we broke out in old school pajama party kind of worship….singing into hairbrushes, dancing on couches and just feeling intimate with the Holy Spirit and worshiping like our kids have never worshiped before. With our church, we have shared the cloud of witnesses experience, and we also shared the experience of having the teens ask God what He saw for the person they were praying for and share that with that person. They definitely got answers and were able to connect on a new deeper level with the adults in the church. It is just amazing what kids can bring to the adults!! And the adults don’t even know the half of it! Things from the conference still resignate in my mind and stand out to me. Different ideas have blessed our ministry and definitely made some planning much easier, allowing us to spend our time loving on the kids and preparing for deeper things!
I also connected with Maggie. She is such a wonderful woman and I thank you for joiniing our paths when I was feeling broken. Her presence of peace still provides a comfort to me as I face the road to inner healing. The fact that you all care so deeply about us and you aren’t in it for the glory or fame is refreshing. You don’t have body guards or escorts (and sometimes you might think you need them haha as much as you are appreciated!!) But I respect you all for all you do and remembering the workers in the field.
As for my husband, well, he has embarked on a new endevor of a community youth center and has been able to connect with more local churches and the youth in our community. We open it every friday night and we are members of YLO to offer a place to hang out and a place where there are adults to love on them, and provide a place when their heart decides to ask more about Jesus and God and whatever else they need us for.
So….*whew* that was long and not even the half of it! But just know the impact was great, the experience immeasurable, and the the affect life long! All our appreciation and love to all of you who pull it off!
PS I can’t leave out the Skit Guys or my teens would shoot me! Thanks to their DVD, we go no where without a famous Skit Guys quote! It is fun and gives them smiles and laughter the whole way! We have incorporated them in our youth services many times too for our whole church to see! We love them too!
Yours in Christ
Starla Beachy (and Mike Beachy)
This was my first year at the conference and the conference was AMAZING! I thoroughly enjoyed the worship, and the speakers were amazing as well!
The one thing that really helped me out was the track led by Jeanne Mayo, which dealt with small groups…I’d been apart of the church I’m currently serving in for about 6 months when the conference came around…I was getting adapted to the youth culture in our city, and I was feeling like our current format for our youth ministry was not working. I attended the seminar led by Jeanne, and saw what her vision was for small groups, and right away I said to myself, “That’s it! This is the solution to our problems…make small groups the PRIMARY part of our ministry because students learn best in the context of relationships.” So, after coming back home, I changed the format for this upcoming fall, and so far everything has gone so well!!! The church is really responding to it!
I also appreciated your transparency, Doug, when you spoke to us…it made me realize that you are just like us, even though you’re shown as a “superman” youth pastor, due to your experience and authoring many books…it was great to see the REAL you and what you talked about was powerful because all of us have FEARS in our own life….I appreciate your contribution in helping student ministries become the best they can be!
Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the 2009 conference. I am a part of Jeanne Mayo’s “The CADRE” and am financially obligated to that right now…otherwise, I would gladly go to the conference in Columbus…oh well, there’s always 2010 to look forward to!
For the future, I would LOVE to take more of a leadership role in this conference so it can be the best it can possibly be…if you ever are in need of someone, feel free to ask me
I am amazed at all the wonderful tracks and other workshops that were available at the NYMC 2007! As a new Youth Minister it was great information and very helpful. Everyone answered questions and made me feel more capable of doing Youth Ministry.
I met new friends, Brenda, Becky and Tara. I unfortunatly missplaced Tara’s contact info, so have been unable to talk with her. Tara, if your going this year, want to share a room?
I attended Training Track, “Secrets to a Healthy Youth Ministry,” led by Mark DeVries and with Jeff Dunn-Rankin. It was very educational and helped me tremendously. Mark, the foundation has been set and working on the construction. I also liked the taining time alloted in this training. AWESOME!
I liked the Affinty groups and I was in “New in Youth MInistry- First Two Years” with Steve Schneeberger. These were great because we heard from everyone in the group. They shared there hopes, problems and thoughts.
The Musical Groups, Speakers, and Late night speakers were wonderful. It was nice to be able to be at this conference and learn how to be a better Youth Minister from those who are doing it too! The shopping area was set up nicely and I loved all of the selections as they gave you more information to take home with you. The convention was held in a great place and was easy to find rooms.
If you get the opportunity, GO! You will not be sorry, See you in Columbus! Tami
Last year’s conference was unlike any youth pastor’s conference I had ever been to. There were so many choices of tracks to go to and the variety was what I LOVED. My husband stayed in Greg Stier’s track about evangelism and I went to every different one that I could!
When we returned home, we set up a leadership team with our college kids and they thrived on that (although we thought they were too immature for it, they proved us wrong).
The countless resources that were available to us was simply amazing. So often in youth ministry it seems as though you’re in this all alone and you can never get enough fresh ideas. The amount of time I spend surfing the net, going blind looking at my computer just for something “cool” was resolved! We receive emails from just about every ministry that was at the conference. I can’t wait to read me email and see what new devo or ice breaker will be in my inbox
We will be back for 2009 and bringing some of our youth pastor friends. This is an opportunity that will inspire you, challenge you, and give you the tools to have that amazing youth group you’ve always wanted. Thank you Group for putting together such an amazing conference!!
John and LeeAnna Colonnello
Last year’s conference was amazing for my wife and myself. I was in the beginnings of planning out our LHGH small groups and Megan helped out in so many ways with ideas. My wife recieved a huge blessing from Cathy in her breekout group for spouses.
The main thing that changed when we came back from the conference was balancing our family time with ministry. We both keep a calendar where she has veto power in what is important. We have an understanding that three nights a week is used for ministry (except for camps,mission trip,etc.)
We are excited and looking forward to NYMC 2009 in Columbus. This year our goal is to bring four of our adult volunteers with us.
shane
This past year was the first time I have ever been to the conference. There was so much that I enjoyed that it is hard to just pick out one thing, but if I had to talk about one thing it would be the Deeper Learning Tracks.
My wife went to Jeanne Mayo’s Small Groups Track. I remember this very specifically because everytime I had talk with her I had to walk into this crazy awesome room. I almost wanted to quit my track and join hers. I was with Mark Devries learning about building and rebuilding your Youth Ministry. While, I learned some great things on how to be a better Youth Pastor for our Youth Ministry from Mark. My wife learned how to do Small Groups better from Jeanne.
I guess in her class Jeanna had talked about setting a launch date or re-launch date for your small groups so that you get everyone excited and you could plan it properly. At the time we had small groups already running, but not the way that Jeanne had taught. So we decided to restructure. Since wewere already in Small Groups we set our re-launch date for the beginning of the new school year. This gave us the time to plan, find small groups leaders, develop student leaders- all the things necessary to run a great small group.
Well, as you know School has started, so our re-launch just happened like two weeks ago. I was amazed at how well everything came together. We had a party our first night and more teens showed up then ever before. I am not going to say numbers because I don’t want to play the number game. But this past week we had even more than the week before. God is so awesome. My wife and I are so happy that we came to the conference and can’t wait to come in 2009.
Let me start off by saying that last years Conference was the most awesome experience I have had at a conference.
My favorite part was the Worship times we had together. Tim Timmons is an amazing artist and created such a wonderful environment for us to rejoice and recharge.
The classes offered where diverse and powerful. I attended the session held by Youth Ministry Architects on how to build a healthy Youth Ministry. It has been almost a year and we still discuss what I learned at every youth meeting as we continue to build a structure that will create a healthy Youth Ministry.
I can’t wait for the upcoming conference in Columbus, I am definetely ready for a recharge and some time to learn how to better our ministry. See you in February!
Leaving a comment regarding the conference last year is difficult enough, but to chat about how things were impacted once my wife and I returned is downright hard. One comment about the conference itself: you must attend…you and everyone who works with you and whoever you want to work with you.
Regarding the “results” of the conference, I was quite hesitant to return and let my volunteer team know about how things went. We were very excited to tell everyone about how great and exciting the conference was, but how do you communicate excitement clearly? So I waited. I told the teens and the leaders the great stories we heard and how my wife and I loved the trip, and of course, we started saving up as a youth ministry for a few sack chairs!
Over the summer, I began to plan for the fall. I worked on finding ways to implement ideas from the conference into our ministry. I truly believe that is what makes NYMC so amazing. I’ve been to conferences in the past and always find new ideas and concepts to use in ministry. However, when it comes time to make those ideas and concepts practical they always seem to fall short. NYMC allows the youth leader to find ideas which suit his/her youth ministry. You are not forced into a workshop which doesn’t relate to your needs. You are not taught by people who haven’t worked in church ministry.
You obtain valuable training insights which are easily tailored to meet your specific youth ministry needs. In fact, there were many I learned which didn’t take any tailoring at all! You’re also taught by youth workers who are waist deep in the youth ministry trenches.
I guess I said more about the conference than I had planned. Sorry about that. But in order to understand the outcome of the conference in our ministry, you have to understand the make-up of the conference itself.
As the school year just begins, we have already begun to see major changes in the atmosphere of our youth ministry. This was a purposeful goal on the leaders part. It was developed as a result of training at the conference last February.
My wife is beginning Life Hurts God Heals for our community in a few weeks. Already, we have seen many teens who are very anxious to be a part of this program. Her starting this is due in large part to what she saw in her workshop with Megan Hutchinson, Chap Clark, and others. She saw their love for hurting teens and was moved by the Lord to do something for them as well.
Honestly, I don’t have the time to give all the little things we’ve seen God accomplishing this year as a result of the conference! And if you’re in the ministry, you probably don’t have that much time to read them all either!
Plan on being in Columbus this year. It’s worth so much to us as youth ministers and so much to our ministry. Don’t pass it up!
Going to the conference was really good for me. I’m 22 and started full time ministry in January…the conference gave me some direction. I was in Duffy’s class on hurting teens. I still see the truths of the class in ministry…I also see ways to help the teens.
The worship is also amazing…it’s great to be in a crowd of crazy, young at heart people worshiping the Lord. I remember the talks by Doug and Greg (I’ve ripped them off and used them myself!)
The conference truly provides whatever you need. My only complaint is that there is so much do do and I wish I could do it all. Absolutly a great place to be for any youth worker. Be there.
Doug and others,
My wife and I were the only 2 to attend in 2007 and 2008. The excitement shown for youth is incredible. My only wish at these conferences is that somehow we could get news coverage. The country needs to see the importance put on our youth. I can only say that my wife and I look so forward to this conference every year. We are presently struggling to get help in our youth ministries, but with all the great ideas we get every year, I do believe it is having an extreme positive influence. Keep praying that the Lord will continue to work on the ever present apathetic attitudes so prevalent on the north east coast of America. I look forward to seeing all of you again, soon,
Dave Hanson
Linwood, NJ
For starters, God was moving before the conference even started! I traveled alone to the conference and was praying that I would meet someone that I could “pal” around with. I assumed since the theme of the conference was “conversation” that God would arrange that, but He did it in a very cool way! I arrived late due to a weather-delayed flight (my plane was the last one allowed to leave Charlotte). I found Justin in the red shirt and asked about ride share to the conference center. Most everyone had already arrived, so there was nobody left to share a ride. He offered me a ride with him (for free)! Before we left, two other people were offered a ride as well. These people were from North Carolina as well! We hit it off and it turns out that their room was RIGHT NEXT DOOR to mine! I hung out with Eric and Cameron for the entire weekend and it was one of the most specific answers to prayer I had ever experienced!
As far as the rest of the conference, the MAIN thing I learned was adding an experiential element to my lessons. I haven’t been able to add this to EVERY lesson I’ve taught since the conference, but it is something I regularly attempt. I break my large group into smaller groups, which gives them all an opportunity to share. I’m sure that this is more meaningful to them than before, when all my lessons were at least 80% lecture. Breaking the large group into smaller groups also gives my adult leaders something to do while they are with me in the youth room. Because of this, they now have a “job” to do and feel needed in the youth room on Sundays and Wednesdays. It has been a win-win for my youth and for my leaders. I’m so thankful that I was taught about “experiential” lessons!
It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to learn from the “greats” of youth ministry and to hear the stories of so many others just like me during the affinity groups. I felt “normalized” and affirmed. It was obvious the amount of planning and work that went into the conference and I felt very appreciated and valued. Youth ministry isn’t always glamorous, and I felt almost spoiled at the conference because of all the love that was poured on by everyone all around, both workers and conference attendees.
Since the conference, I have had 2 individuals contact me “out of the blue” to check on me and my ministry, one from Georgia and one from Kentucky. God is so awesome! They contacted me at just the right time and prayed for me. The National Youth Ministry Conference is something that has definitely touched my life and is a conference that I plan on attending yearly! THANK YOU for your hard work!!!
Wow!!! The conference of 2008 was great!!!!! It was not what one may think. Many times when you go to a conference, you hear someone speak and you never get that sense of relationship. At NYMC it is all about relationships. The speakers, the presenters, and even the musicians all take time to hang out and answere questions or clarify what was said. There is a great connectivity that takes place. In 2008 I attended alone. In 2009 I am taking my ministry team. I encourage you to do the same.
Dave
Milton, PA
Doug and friends,
Last year was my first year. I came by myself and it was just a refreshing time for me to soak in all that was around me. The worship was great. Josh Griffin was fun (I read his blog every day now.) The tracks were good (I go back to my notes often.)
Every lesson or series I teach I think about interactive teaching. I am not very good at it, but the conference at least has me thinking about it.
Doug, thanks for all you do for youth workers. I love teaching your stuff. I am a member of all access and also love the help josh gives through his blog (shout out for simply youth!)
JP
One of the best parts about this year’s conference were the relationship deepening among members of my volunteer staff.
In year’s past, I’ve come to conferences and conventions… sometimes with other full time staff members at my church or other churches and had great conversations and ideas. Then upon arriving home, had to figure out how to implement those into ministry.
This year, for the first time, I brought three members of my volunteer team. Not only were many of the ideas their’s, but we had some really great conversations along the way. In fact, one afternoon we completely missed one of the breakout sessions in the afternoon partly because we had the world’s slowest waitress at Applebees but also partly because we were having such great conversation about the ministry that we didn’t want it to end.
My best take-away was the deepened relationships with 3 members of my volunteer team. If you aren’t bringing some volunteers to this conference, you should really consider it. It was a great experience!
Jim Clark
Batavia, IL
I took 4 of my leaders with me to the conference, one of which was my wife. I expected to receive all kinds of training for myself to be able to lead the ministry. By far, the greatest gift and value I received from the conference was my wife’s 4 sessions with Kathy Fields in the “Youth Pastor’s Spouse” seminars. For us, this conference transformed our marriage, home, and ministry as God gave us all kinds of wisdom through Doug & Kathy. We are eternally grateful.
Brad
Dearborn, MI
My husband and I attended the conference for the first time last year. It exceeded my expectations by the breadth and depth of what was offered. I was encouraged, challenged and inspired by the large group time and the 8 hour learning track. I felt like someone was investing in me, believing in me, in the same way I seek to touch the lives of the teens we serve.
The content had a very biblical, personal, sincere feel that made me not want to leave. It’s not everyday you’re with so many people who get what the ups and downs of youth ministry are and love teenagers like crazy!
As the result of attending the learning track on hurting teens, we are launching Life Hurts God Heals in our church in October. God has given me such a passion for hurting teens and Life Hurts God Heals is the tool to reach them that we have been looking for. Praise God for using NYMC and all of us, feeble and broken, in the lives of today’s teens.
Thanks NYMC, you guys are awesome!
Christie Kelly
Webster, NY
As an undergraduate pre-medical student attending a university known for wild nights, you’d really have to consider why I attended last year’s conference at all! We’ve all felt a call from God to be ministers at some point in our life. Some of us choose to become full-time ministers and others of us just continue to be an active in ministry opportunities. The NYM conference last year was the final “I can’t run away from this call to ministry” any longer. I’d been avoiding this call to ministry for so long but, the NYM conference allowed me to see the need for raising youth in the faith in a new light. I met so many awesome people, shared so many great ideas and was encouraged to follow the path that I’d been running from. I’ve switched majors and am looking at seminaries that have a youth ministry program to attend upon graduation. I interned with my home church this summer and am teaching Confirmation throughout the year (thanks Duffy for all the useful techniques to keep their attention).
The NYM conference helped me to connect my calling from God and put it into action. I left the conference refueled for serving others through the ministry and on fire for God.
Can’t wait to see everyone again this year!!!
Like so many others who have put finger to keyboard to express just how wonderful the NYMC was this past February, I too found it to be the most worshipful and informative confrence I have ever attended. What else would you expect from a partnership between SYM and Group.
The speakers, while famous in youth ministry circles were very approachable and down to earth.
The large group times served not only as informative time but also as an encouraging time and a worshipful time.
I recommend this to everyone who has a heart for the LORD and a passion for students.
Going into last year’s NYMC in Cincy, I must confess I was a bit skeptical. The chance that “famous” Christian youth ministers would have anything of real substance to share besides the latest gimmicks and cool technology seemed slim.
I owe Doug Fields, Chap Clark, Duffy Robbins, and the rest an apology.
You see, I discovered that these men and women – whose names appear on DVD series, journals, book covers, and conference headlines – were actually genuine, humble, and grateful followers of Jesus…and I have a lot to learn.
I’m looking forward to the conference this year and am praying for all of the pastors, speakers, volunteers, who will be leading us. May the Lord use all of us to advance His kingdom in the lives of teenagers.
NYMC 2008 was awesome! I had attended the Youth Specialties version of this several times, so as the NYMC approached, I wondered how different of an experience it would be. Both are great conferences, but the best way I know to describe it is where the Youth Specialties convention is a “rock concert” atmosphere, the NYMC is a “small group” atmosphere. I wasn’t sure I would like it at first. I LOVED IT!!! I connected with other youth ministers better here than at any other conference I’ve attended. I actually reconnected with an old college buddy in ministry, and it was one of the highlights of my experience. When I left they NYMC, I felt un-alone, empowered, equipped, and a part of something bigger than just Bill in Independence: I was part of this high calling known as youth ministry, and there was an army of people from all over the world battling in the same type of trenches I’m in. And that was exactly the reminder I needed. I can’t wait to have more conversations this coming February! I hope if you anyone is reading this and is trying to decide whether or not to come to Columbus, TRY IT! You won’t regret it, and you will truly experience a connection like you never expected!
Hi Doug,
You are an awesome disciple of Christ & I thank you with all my heart for the passion you have for the youth.
Here’s a summary of my story. I started working in children’s ministry when I was 16yrs old & was there for 16years. Then God started changing my heart & I felt He was calling me to youth ministry. At first I laughed out loud (yes I laughed at God) said it was not within my comfort zone (learned thats the very wrong thing to say to God), then I fought with Him for 2 years before I finally fell to my knees & stepped out of the boat.
I started working with the youth at Mt. Olivet UMC in Lovettsville Virginia in the fall of ‘06′ & I was basically flying by the seat of my pants & loving it (well most of the time). Then last Feb. I got on a plane all by myself (I’m a stay at home Mom of 4 kids)so by myself was a HUGE deal & came to your conference because my heart was on fire for Christ & the youth & I needed something more. I came with the thought that I would be taught how to “FIX” all the needy parents that wanted me to “fix their youth in 1 hour a week. Let me tell ya God convicted my heart on that issue & gave me the grace & mercy I needed to be able to help connect the parents with us as well. I took the Building a dynamic youth ministry :First 2 years in youth ministry. WOW!!! What an awesome experience. Mark Derivies was amazing & really knows his stuff. I was doing alot of wall paper things without laying the concrete. I really wished I came to a conference before I started. This is the beginning of my 3rd year as a Vol. youth director & I can see the fire for Christ in the youth & the parents eyes. God is such an awesome God & I am so proud of each & everyone of them. I thank you all very much from the bottom of my heart & I praise God everyday for putting people like ya’ll in positions to help us all grow disciples of Christ. I will be back again next year & I’m hoping to bring 3 more along with me this time. If you all have a passion for the youth & a heart to serve this is the conference to be at! You will leave with your roots firmly planted in Christ & you will Bloom beyond what you could have ever imagined. See ya again in Feb!
Hey,
I just have to say what a challenge and blessing last years confrence was for me. It was my first conference and I had no idea what to expect. I left refreshed and with my fire for ministry rekindled.
Thanks!
I cannot say enough about last years conference. I absolutely loved it and strongly recommend it to anyone in youth ministry. It does not matter if you are full-time,part-time,leader or volunteer this conference is for you. I had just become youth director at my church just before last years conference. I became the 5th youth leader in 3yrs, I had been on staff for the previous 2 leaders. I grew up in this church and can say that there has never been a real structure for the youth ministry there. I was in the deeper learning track “Secrets to a Healthy Youth Ministry” with Mark Devries. This was awesome, we now have a structure that we are still building on, the youth staff has double in size and we are growing. We are able to have some staff work on events and some focus on the curriculum and ministry itself. We have done a couple of first this summer. We put on a car show as a community outreach and a fundraiser for our teens, we also put on a youth revival. The youth revival was a first for our area.
There are so many reason to attend this conference, I don’t think words can sum it up. Those who attend will find inspiration, encouragement,resources, friends, prayer partners, and most of all the heart of it you will find God!
I am going to keep this short and to the point. If you are in youth ministry…then you need to attend this conference.
There were so many great things that came out of this conference. What other conference out there offers the Deeper Learning Tracks? In addition, the networking at this conference is superior and well worth it. Where else can you go and get to talk and hang out with individuals that have the same passion that you youth workers have? This conference really gives the oppurtunity to network with others.
This is a must attend.
I have been to the past 2 conferences… the first in Indy was with my wife and we were really wrestling through a transition phase in our lives and whether God was moving us on from our past ministry. The worship was awesome and the tracks we went to were amazing and really challenged us… so much so, that we ended moving to another church and then attended last years conference with 5 adults from our new team of youth leaders! We sent them all to different, and focused tracks and we all gleaned so much from each other. It was a great unifying trip for us and training that has helped us retain these leaders this year with much enthusiasm and passion to serve teens.
On a more specific note, I learned so much through the Walt Mueller track – highly recommend and glad this conference has leaders like him. I learned to listen and stir the culture of our students more and this has led to a brand new ministry for me and our team where we hang out in a dedicated coffee shop and listen to teens and their worlds, instead of preaching to them. We have seen God use this in an amazing way including many troubled and hurt teens opening up to us and letting us share the love of Christ with them. To God be the glory and thanks for this conference – its awesome, intimate, and perfect for all youth leaders of any education. It felt like we were all growing, worshipping, and learning as a team. Thanks NYMC