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.