Will Gregg.

What a genuinely nice guy.  I actually didn’t meet Will at SYMC.  I met Will at a planning session for the conference.  I’m so glad I did.  We had a little more time to talk and get to know one another.  Will is as open and authentic as they come.  He shares his struggles and joys equally.  He’s not inhibited to ask for prayer or to offer it to those in need.  I (and many others) count him a true friend.

You can make friends like Will by registering for SYMC.  Will can be your friend on Facebook.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  You can find more SYMC stories and other youth ministry tidbits at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.  Follow Darren on Facebook or Twitter.

I’ve never met someone with a more authentic, tender heart for youth workers.  As SYMC participants complete their youth worker profiles, Kami squirrels them away in her binder as though they are jewels.  That’s because to her, they are!  Each profile – each SYMC goer – represents to her beautiful, priceless gems of the Kingdom.

When I registered for SYMC the first time, I got a personal email response from Kami.  I instantly knew this would not be a typical conference experience.  Kami is not a typical conference planner.  Her passion and compassion for youth leaders drives every decision she makes.  We have no stronger advocate on Earth.

Register for SYMC now and get to know your greatest cheerleader!  You can also connect with Kami through Facebook or Twitter.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  Other SYMC stories can be found at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.  You can also connect with Darren on Facebook and Twitter.

Doug Richards.

Steady.  That’s Doug.  Recently, Doug has faced one of ‘those’ seasons in ministry.  He exampled for me an abiding trust in God’s plan, regardless of the outcome.  It was definitely one of the very few times I’ve seen a minister go through the ringer without complaint and with very little worry.

Doug and I became friends at SYMC last year.  As he shared some of his life story with me, I was humbled and challenged by his simple faith in the midst of mounting life-crisis.  I kept waiting for the calm AFTER the storm of his story…it never came.  What should have caused him to crumble seemed only to make him more dependent on and confident in God.  I want to be like that when I grow up.

Doug is one reason why you should register for SYMC today.  Those Biblical examples of faith come springing to life before your very eyes.  And I’m so grateful to know those stories.  They push me to live that kind of life!

You can connect with Doug on Facebook.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton.  Other stories can be found at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.  You can also connect with Darren on Facebook and Twitter.

This year we had almost 700 SYMC General Surveys turned in (not including the thousands for the individual class evaluations.) It takes a few months to get the data input into the survey software (yes, an electronic evaluation would be a stellar improvement) but we also keep the original papers in a giant binder on my desk. I still like flipping through the pages, seeing the handwriting winding up the page with stories of transformation and excitement.  Some days when the tediousness of conference planning gets overwhelming I grab the binder, a cup of coffee and snuggle up for some inspiration.  I’ve been mocked for carrying around the binder like a crazy old lady carrying around a beloved pet, but the binder is rather precious.

As much as we enjoy validation, we also love reading the suggestions and ideas for improvement. Everything a conference team ever needs to know is written in the comments from these youth workers…and we’re listening. I believe SYMC has grown in excellence because of youth workers’ ideas that come straight from the evaluations. There are—and have been—so many brilliant suggestions that have made SYMC what it is today.

So for all of the youth workers who’ve spoken into SYMC, inspired our team to keep improving and become genuine friends and family of this ministry, thank you! You deserve the credit for another great year, and the best event evaluations we’ve ever seen in nearly 40 years of Group’s history!

Here’s a quick recap of the evaluations:

Overall my Conference experience was:

Great:  96.5% (639/700)

Fair:        4.5% (30/700)

Poor:         0% (0/700)

I would recommend SYMC to a friend or coworker

Yes:  98.4%

No:     1.6 %

Other interesting facts:

50/50 split of full time paid church leadership positions vs. part-time or volunteer

50/50 split male/female

50/50 split of travel by car vs. plane to attend

And one of our favorite comments ever:

 “SYMC is a fast walkers worst nightmare with all of these fellowshipping youth workers.”

So keep letting us know what made SYMC worthwhile for you, and bring on the ideas for what you want to see next year!

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

Cloud of WitnessesThis is a cool shot from an activity in Doug Fields’ message on Saturday night. Everyone wrote a “faith blocker” and tossed it into the air. People were asked to pick up one of the papers that landed near them and pray for that person and their faith blocker. It was a cool, interactive community experience.

You can’t have a conference with 100 Sack Chairs and not catch some air. Ken Compton and his buddy sent me these…I’m waiting for the video!