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.

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

Sherri Smith.

Let me tell you about Sherri.  Sherri is the kind of person who could find my car keys in Texas from her desk in Colorado.  You may or may not see Sherri at the conference….but you’ll see her hand all over the details.  (And when you DO see her, she’ll have a smile on her face.)

Sherri brings a fierce joy to the table.  She reminds me of one of those dogs that’s a good natured, faithful pet…but don’t act like you’re threatening the owner.  Know what I mean?  Sherri is a soft-spoken, smiling force to be reckoned with when it comes to youth workers. She fights the good  fight on our behalf to make sure we are well cared for and well loved at SYMC.  She’ll accomplish her task with a smile – but make no mistake, she WILL accomplish the task!

That’s why you should register right now!  You have less than a month before the conference begins.  You can find Sherri’s smiling face there or here.

Darren Sutton writes our ‘Real Stories’ series – and spends way too much time on Twitter and Facebook.

Andy Brazelton.

Andy embodies someone who is called to youth ministry – and knows how he should express it.  I love that Andy embraces his call in a unique way.  I love that Andy’s method of impacting students comes through quality resources and equipping the adults who lead teenagers.  And I especially love that he has leaned into that calling – embraced it – without apology.  (You can tell every time he gets called to stand in front of people how much he embraces his ‘behind-the-scenes’ life.)

But I want to bring Andy out front today.  It’s his commitment to youth ministry and heart for youth workers that make The Simply Youth Ministry Conference happen.  He has become a good friend – and he is a really good man – and a great youth ministry.

Meet Andy at SYMC this year.  Get familiar with his more ‘distinctive’ qualities on his blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  His blog, Facebook, and Twitter are just a few of the places he pontificates!

Matty McCage.

There it is.  I told you there’d be more than one for him.  Here’s the thing.  Matty will say anything.  He’ll say things that will make you laugh.  His words will sometimes make you blush.  Occasionally, he’ll tick you off. But the words I treasure most from Matty are his words of challenge…never tendered with mercy, but filtered through that spiritual gift he tries so hard to hide!  :)

In the last year, I was making a transition in my church.  It was a difficult transition that required some truth-telling.  In true ‘people-pleasing-confrontation-avoiding’ fashion, I was finding all kinds of reasons but the real one to share as my ‘public persona.’  As Matty and I were discussing this, he straight up called me a liar.  Now let me just say – although I really like to be the ‘good cop’ in a conversation, I have no issues being the one who ‘tells it like it is’ (they don’t call me the Youth Ministry Drill Sergeant for nothin’!)  I don’t like to shrink beneath a veil of subtlety or ambiguity.

When Matty verbally slapped me upside the head using my own technique, I was truly stunned….almost speechless, which rarely happens to me.  I tried to talk around the truth and massage the conversation – but Matty was undeterred. And I realized in short order that I would not be able to pull the proverbial wool over his heart-seeing eyes.

He wasn’t mean – he was merciful.  He challenged me to lean into who I was.  He pushed back just enough to remind me that leading isn’t always easy or convenient.  He reminded me that truth should win.

I will never forget that day.

Do you have people in your life who remind you who you are?  You can - register today for SYMC.  And be sure to meet Matty.  He’ll probably be in the bookstore or at the registration counter.  If not, you can catch him on Facebook or Twitter.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  Read Darren’s blog, Facebook statuses, and Twitter updates.

Justin Boling.

Matthew 9:35 - He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”

In my book, Justin handily takes first place by bringing up the rear!    In fact, over the past few months, I’ve had several occasions where I needed Justin’s help.  He dropped everything.  Solved my issue.  Smiled while doing it.

He finds joy in serving.  I find great joy in him!

Meet him at this year’s SYMC - or connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  Catch up with other stuff he writes at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.  Or look into his eyes at Facebook or Twitter.