Comments on: Life after NYMC

By: Dave Cousens

Dave Cousens — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:05:28 +0000

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

By: Mike Rau

Mike Rau — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:13:12 +0000

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.

By: Will Gregg

Will Gregg — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:59:59 +0000

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!

By: Joanna Alvey

Joanna Alvey — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:04:38 +0000

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!

By: Tara Poole

Tara Poole — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:49:07 +0000

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!

By: Bill Clark

Bill Clark — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:39:34 +0000

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!

By: Dan Marotta

Dan Marotta — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:29:10 +0000

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.

By: Dusty Smith

Dusty Smith — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:30:51 +0000

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.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:56:26 +0000

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!!!

By: Christie Kelly

Christie Kelly — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:30:11 +0000

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