Troy Richards.

Troy Richards (not to be confused with #44) hails from the Great White North (or whatever they call Canada these days.)  He is just a really nice guy – you know what I mean.  He’s the guy in high school that no girl would date for fear of  ’messing up the friendship.’  (I’m guessing – I didn’t live in the Mother-land, so I don’t really know.)  One thing I do know, if I’m ever in trouble – Troy’s gonna be there.  He’s a pray-er.  He’s a servant.  He’s the guy you want to hang out with because he’s ‘just a really good guy.’  We don’t live near one another, so I don’t know this for sure…but he’s probably like that ‘truck friend’ you have….the one you’re always asking to haul stuff for you….and he’s always obliging.  I’ve heard it rumored that someone on the SYM team has Troy’s number saved in their phone under ‘Jesus’.  That makes perfect sense to me.

Whether you are looking for Troy or Jesus, you’ll find them both at SYMC.  Troy’s also on Facebook.  (I don’t know about Jesus.)

Darren’s blog can be found here…and more great SYMC stories.

Danette Matty.

My brain does not comprehend this woman’s wisdom.  After years of being a volunteer youth leader, Danette has ‘crossed over to the dark side’ of paid church work.  (Her words, not mine!)  Recently, Danette and I collaborated on a book project.  I entered into the project believing my thoughts and philosophies on the youth ministry issues addressed in the book were firm.  But as I read Danette’s responses, I found myself enthralled with her take on the issues she was writing about.  She challenges my thinking and causes me to dig deeper.  I love that about her!!

People at SYMC will make you better – but only if you register!  Danette will make you better…interact with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Connect with Darren (the ‘Real Stories’ series author) on his blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Jaret Alvis.

And this is what I love about the Simply Youth Ministry Conference!  This past fall, my good friend, Brian Ford (see story #33), called to say his friend, Jaret, would be at a planning retreat I was going to.  Brian couldn’t come, but he wanted to make sure Jaret was able to connect with some people.  I love that – true community!

As Jaret and I spent some time together, I could hear his heart for student ministry.  This has been a hard year for Jaret – he wears the pain in tandem with hope for the future.  He has become a good friend I would never have met without SYMC – and the community that has developed there.  I’m excited to see how God moves in Jaret’s life this year!

You can know community and new friendships through SYMC – but only if you register.  You can find Jaret on Facebook.

Read more from the Real Stories author.

Joel & Jana Snyder.

It was a terrifying time.  My wife was pretty seriously ill.  The doctors weren’t sure exactly what was wrong, but whatever it was – it was rare and difficult to diagnose with accuracy.  While most doctors shy away from worst case scenarios, our doctor waded in with both feet. Contemplating the unthinkable – and how to share that with our children, if necessary – had taken it’s toll on me.  Enter Joel & Jana Snyder.  They prayed with me.  They asked me follow up questions.  They cried when I cried.  They shared in my sorrow – and in my eventual joy when the doctors were able to diagnose and final correct Katie’s issue.  There were many SYMC-er’s who prayed with and for us….but I will never forget Joel crying with me.

Do you need someone to cry with you, pray with you, know you?  Then get registered for SYMC today.  You can get to know Joel & Jana on their Facebook pages.

Connect with Darren Sutton, the author of the ‘Real Stories‘ series.

Danny & Lara Legge.

Danny & Lara haven’t actually been to SYMC yet.  And it breaks my heart!  Danny & Lara have one of the truest, most obvious, most honest calls to youth ministry I’ve ever seen.  The Legges began serving students by reluctantly agreeing to lead a small group in a church where I served as youth pastor.  The rest, as they say, is history.  God called them – loudly.  They answered – with abandon.  Danny & Lara now serve students in their own church.  I want them at SYMC so bad I can taste it!  The have so much to offer and so much to glean.  I cannot wait to share the experience of SYMC with them.

What can YOU glean from SYMC?  What do you bring to the table?  Why don’t you register and find out??  And connect with Danny or Lara on Facebook.

Connect with Darren through his blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

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.

Phil Bell.

Brilliant.  Bloody brilliant, mate.  Phil and I share the same heart and mind for youth ministry.  Kindred spirits – different continents.  Phil’s from England….which instantly makes him sound smarter and more interesting than the rest of us.  Truth is – he is REALLY smart.  He ‘gets’ youth ministry.  And he’s so stinkin’ humble about it, you’d never know he gets it if it weren’t for his blog!!  I subscribed to Phil’s blog long before I knew who Phil was – he offers practical, timely, sensible wisdom for youth workers.  I can’t tell you how many times Phil has called to encourage me, challenge me, collaborate with me, or check-in on me.  He’s a true friend….

He’ll be your friend, too – but you gotta hurry up and get registered for SYMC.  It’s almost sold out.  You can also be his friend on Facebook while stalking him on Twitter.

Darren Sutton is writing our ‘Real Stories from SYMC’ series.

Ben Halsch.

Ben is the blanket to my Linus!  I don’t know what it is about Benny, but he brings a quality of ‘safe’ to every encounter.  He always picks just the right time to call or text with an encouragement.  When I walk into a planning meeting and see him there, I know all the ‘behind the scenes’ stuff is done.  When he’s my roommate, I sleep well…because he’s not going to use me as the butt of his jokes (even though I most assuredly keep him awake with me praying….um, I mean…snoring).  If I ever called him and said “Ben, I need you in Corpus Christi right now”, I know he would come.  (And don’t think I haven’t considered it a time or two.)

You need to know Ben!  you can do that by coming to SYMC this year….and by finding him on Facebook or Twitter.

Darren Sutton writes the ‘Real Stories’ series.  You can find HIS real stories on his Facebook or Twitter.

Jason Lamb.

I remember the first time I sat at a round-table discussion with Jason.  I wanted to pull out all my hair…and then I wanted to begin on his!    We were not speaking the same language.  Looking back now, I realize I was on an FM station and Jason was satellite radio!  We were tasking specifics and Jason was on big picture….universal picture, really.  I wanted to accomplish the task at hand.  Jason wanted to know how accomplishing that task would affect global youth ministry for the next twenty years.

That’s how Jason thinks.  Big picture.  Widescreen.  Jason has recently transitioned back into local youth ministry (and I’m told is feeling the hurt!)  But truth be told, his heart was always there.  From his role at Dare 2 Share to his many ministry endeavors, his truest and always well-revealed heart is youth ministry.  And while I think he’s always been right there in the trenches, regardless of where his office was….it’s nice to have him standing nearer the same battlefield I’m on!

You’ll meet lots of experts in student ministry at SYMC.  Some of them may even be teaching a conference!  Register now.  And find Jason in all his glory on Facebook or Twitter.

Darren Sutton is writing our ‘Real Stories’ series.  Find him on Facebook or Twitter…alot.

Tony Myles.

I actually heard about Tony through my wife, Katie.  (See story #31.)  She served on a peer panel alongside him and several other youth workers.  Shortly after, I discovered Tony and I would be serving on a peer panel together.  Everything Katie said about him….totally true.  He was sensible and pragmatic, but transparent and authentic.  His words were loaded with wisdom and experience.  And I was shocked…..because Tony has crossed to the darkside.  He serves as a senior pastor.

Recently, Tony and I were spending some time together.  I was facing an issue similar to a situation he recently had faced.  I was so impressed with his listening ear.  I walked away from that conversation NOT with a gaggle of answers (which I wasn’t really seeking anyway.)  But I did leave thinking ‘Wow.  I would love that guy to be MY pastor.’  His congregation is surely blessed.  I hope they know it.

You’ll be blessed by lots of pastoral care and wisdom at SYMC - but only if you hurry up and get registered.  And if you’re looking for Tony, you can find him here.

“Real Stories’ is written by Darren Sutton.  Facebook and Twitter enjoy his company alot.