Thom & Joani Schultz.

Let’s talk about a commitment to student ministry, shall we?  Thom Schultz started a little youth ministry newsletter a few years back – maybe you’ve heard of it….Group Magazine.  Through Thom & Joani’s hearts for teenagers, kids, and the adults who work with them – and by the blessing of God – youth and children’s ministries have never been the same.  Their knowledge and passion for developing usable, engaging resources for adult leaders is only outweighed by their love and passion for the leaders themselves.  Though they lead one of the leading ministry resource companies in the world, they still serve and know youth workers.  I’ve never been to an event at Group Publishing where Thom and Joani did not invite the youth workers to dinner in their home.  (Which we all know is like inviting a rhino to a tea party!)  Once, Thom even cooked for us.  (At least that’s the story – he could have done what I do…buy something really amazing and then put it on my own plate so it looks like I’m an Iron Chef.  But I don’t think so.)

Let’s face it.  Without their zeal for youth ministry, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference would not exist.  So thank you Schultz family – for loving students, their leaders, and Jesus enough to sacrifice your entire lives for the cause.  I hope I can run the race as you have.

You can run your race better by attending SYMC.  You’ll meet Thom and Joani there, as well…or you can find them online by clicking on their names.

Click on Darren’s name for more great stories!

Jake Rutenbar & Kurt Johnston.

Have you seen The Simply Show?  These veteran, in the trenches youth pastors host a weekly video cast talking all things youth ministry.  They’re funny, insightful, and always entertaining.  They interview some of the leading minds in youth ministry, have coined the phrase ‘youth ministry nation’ (The Nation for short – we’re lobbying for T-shirts!), and walk all the same aspects of the YM walk that we do!  Their show keeps SYMC alive year ’round.  You can watch it live at simplyyouthministry.tv most Friday mornings at 9:00 AM, PST.

Or – you could just register for SYMC and glean from them in the same room as you!  (Or you can stalk them on their Facebook pages - Kurt & Jake.)

Stalk Darren here – the author of the Simply Stories.

Justin Dougan.

My jaw dropped.  I just heard that Justin was a volunteer youth leader….a VOLUNTEER!!?  Having stalked Justin significantly on Facebook, I just assumed that he was a paid youth pastor.  His commitment to his students, their families, and their church is so obvious. I don’t know many paid staff people who approach their ministry with as much passion and integrity as Justin.  And I’ll be honest – more than once I’ve though ‘maybe I’ll just do this as a volunteer and there will be a little more appreciation and a lot less headache.’  FALSE!!  Justin wades into the thick of ministry just like the rest of us – he just has to do it after he completes his full-time job.  And he gets no more appreciation and less headache – AND HE STAYS IN!!!  I continue to be astonished by his commitment as a volunteer to fully meeting the ministry needs of his community.

SYMC is for ALL youth workers - paid or otherwise.  Your life will be enriched by hanging out with Justin when you get there – or hanging out with him here.

Hang out with Darren here.

Jason Ledbetter.

Where else can you sit in a room full of 3,000 people and connect with just one?  I love the value placed on community & connection at SYMC…even during the large general sessions.  Last year, one of the speakers (maybe Rick Lawrence) had us partner up with someone right in the middle of the general session.  We spent a few moments exchanging information, then the speaker asked us to pray over our partner anything that God brought to our minds and hearts.  I don’t remember what Jason prayed, but I am so grateful to have been sitting beside him.  Though my memory is faint, his words were not.  The Spirit spoke directly to him about our church situation (though he knew nothing about it) and he prayed the exact right thing.  I left that gathering amazed.  Amazed that space was made for connection – with Jason and with Jesus.

If you’re longing for that kind of connection, SYMC is the conference that takes it seriously.  Jason connects with people here…and by praying!  :)

Darren Sutton connects online through his blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Brandon Early.

I bet he won’t remember this.  I met Brandon a few years ago during a tech-geek workshop he was teaching at SYMC.  This past year, I recalled a specific tool he had mentioned during his session.  I pulled out my notes from that conference and realized that I had all of Brandon’s contact information – but the page where I had taken notes had been lost.  I shot Brandon a quick e-mail asking him about one of the software programs he had recommended.  He responded in less than 30 minutes…two years later!  Impressive.

When was that last time one of your workshop leaders personally responded to you….about something they taught two years prior?  That’s the difference at SYMC.  You should register now.  And if you speak Techie, you should connect with Brandon.

Connect with Darren here.

Ana Lucia Bedicks.

Yep – you read it right. Ana Lucia….like the lady on the television show Lost. And Ana is about as fierce and tenacious as that character was, too! Ana hails from Brazil and brings true international flair to my life – and to the conference. Her fortitude in youth ministry has amazed me. It’s been a long season for Ana this past year. And probably even more difficult given her context – a woman in ministry in an international market. She’s never given up on Jesus – and she’s never given up on the kids. She epitomizes the hope in Jeremiah 29.11…I hope she never forgets that promise!

Welcome back to America, Ana! See you in a few weeks.

You’ll see Ana, too – but only if you register for SYMC now!

You can catch Darren and more great SYMC Stories here.

Shawn Harrison.

Confession.  I haven’t actually met Shawn face to face yet.  We’ve developed a friendship via Facebook through mutual friends from Simply Youth Ministry.

Shawn has an amazingly open story.  I am so impressed by his willingness to share his life-journey to influence students and their families for Christ.  I asked Shawn about joining us on a future episode of our podcast and he didn’t even hesitate.  Anything for the Kingdom.  I’m really looking forward to a real-time conversation with this guy….and then sharing that with all of you!

Meet people who have felt like friends for years although you’ve never even met - register for SYMC.  Become friends with Shawn, too.

Connect with Darren Sutton - the Real Stories author.

Matt Barcalow.

Matt – a jock I actually like….and who actually likes me (I think.)  He talks football.  I smile and nod.  I talk ice cream.  He smiles and nods. We talk youth ministry – and we both move to the edge of our seats.  He has a deep heart to make the greatest impact for Jesus.  He does it through his role as a youth pastor.  He does it through his role as a dad.  (Ask him about his recent adoption…it’s why you won’t see him at SYMC this year.)  He does it as a good friend.  Matt’s a good enough friend that I might just be persuaded to sit through an entire _______________ game….you fill in the lame sporting event thingy here.  He makes it easy to focus on the things that bring us together.

You’ll want to come to SYMC to meet people like you – and people not like you.  But if you want to meet Matt, you’ll have to do it virtually.  He’ll be in China picking up his new daughter!

I’ll be at SYMC – let’s hang out!  Until then, catch me at my blog or on Twitter.

Rick Lawrence.

For something like 30 years, Rick has been the editor of Group Magazine.  He ‘gets it.’  He understands youth ministry – not just the skin surface, but the deep innards and organs.  He loves students – and those of us who work with them.  And not just the make-up face and white teeth version of us, but the dark underbelly of who we really are.  I have never (and I am NOT exaggerating) been in Rick’s presence where God has not spoken clearly through Rick’s wisdom.  It usually feels like a splash of cold water.  Sometimes that comes like the refreshment of jumping into a cold-water spring on a blistering day.  Sometimes it feels more like a  frigid glass of water jolting me awake after a complacent slumber.  In both cases – I couldn’t be more grateful.  It’s vital to have friends who can throw a glass of water in your face…and then hand you a towel and help you dry off.  Rick is that kind of friend.

Glean wisdom from him at SYMC.  Read his latest book, Sifted.  Get to know him.

Read more SYMC ‘Real Stories’ at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com

Paul Daly.

Paul and I spent the day together at a pre-conference workshop two years ago.  He’s a pretty amazing listener (and I’m wondering why I haven’t utilized that more often over these past two years!)  We ‘friended’ one another on Facebook and have sent an occasional text – but we haven’t stayed in regular contact over the past few years.  Why I am including him in my ‘Real Stories’ series?  Because he is a prime example of  where relationships start at SYMC…sitting next to someone in a workshop.  Hanging out in a sack chair.  Grabbing lunch.  They only go the next step when you choose to nurture and wade in to the community offered there.  I am confident that Paul and I could instantly pick up where we left off two years ago.  I know that because we were able to reconnect last year….and I still stalk him on Facebook!  (Sorry, Paul!)

Meet new people at SYMC by registering here.  Meet Darren (the author) here.