by Benny Salas Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Description
If you are in the frontlines of youth ministry and face the challenges of mentoring, discipling and leading youth in the midst of a sexually indulged culture, then this workshop will address the concerns we have in leading our youth through the process of purity. This workshop will address building healthy friendships, dating/courting, abstinence and relationship warning signs.
by Michelle Lang
Talk presented Sat, May 19, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
Is leading music for your youth group a scary subject? Does it need an upgrade? There???s no doubt about it — Music is an undeniable force in today???s youth culture! Properly using it can go a long way in helping your kids draw near and stay near to God! Come join in the music and get some tools and techniques to help you make music a more meaningful part of your youth groups worship experience. You just might leave singing, too!
About the Speaker
As a young adult, Michelle was fired more times then she was hired and had more fears than should be allowable by law. Through an awkward moment in a college class, God revealed her calling and life became her playground! Currently, she works for World Vision as the Director of Vision Youth in Seattle, training and consulting youth workers in the Pacific Northwest. She has extensive background in theater and the performing arts and leads a band called Still Water.
by Milo Carrasco
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
An intense "how to" on ministering to a community scared by gang violence. In this workshop you will learn how to start "peacemakers" in your city, be instructed on how to minister to young people that have caused gang violence or been victims of gang violence. Also, you will learn how to minister in/to a funeral due to gang violence (car wash), hospital visit, grieving family, working with local law enforcement, high schools and on-call incidents.
by Curt Gibson and Kara Powell
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
In the midst of fractured families, broken schools and violent neighborhoods, kids today need more from us than a bible study and a prayerful pat on the back. Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets; as well as a new research project by Fuller Seminary's Center for Youth and Family Ministry, give youth workers an invaluable set of tools to help kids thrive, not just spiritually, but also physically, emotionally, intellectually and relationally.
by Ava Steaffens
Talk presented Sat, May 19, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
Among the many issues facing kids and their families, immigration is at the top of the list. Come and learn the ABC's of current immigration law, as well as the up-to-date proposed legislation. Come prepared to engage in thoughtful dialogue.
by Chris Brooks
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
How can the church empower parents to raise godly kids? What can we provide to help families that are unraveling at the seams? What hope is there for dysfunctional homes and disillusioned heads of households? This workshop underscores the importance of ministering to youth beginning with their parents.
by Michelle Lang
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
The Scriptures are alive and colored with the details of our human experience so why settle for blah, bland and boring skits? Our congregations are pining to make a legitimate emotional connection to the Word and that's where the performing arts take center stage. This writing workshop helps you identify ways to "pull on the text" and "pour in the intangibles". It's not about being a good writer … it's about being a good reader.
About the Speaker
As a young adult, Michelle was fired more times then she was hired and had more fears than should be allowable by law. Through an awkward moment in a college class, God revealed her calling and life became her playground! Currently, she works for World Vision as the Director of Vision Youth in Seattle, training and consulting youth workers in the Pacific Northwest. She has extensive background in theater and the performing arts and leads a band called Still Water.
by Blinky Rodriguez , Milo Carrasco, and Pepe Montenegro
Talk presented Sat, May 19, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
You've got gang questions? We've got gang answers. Come and participate in a forum type setting with current or recently ex-gang members to get a more complete understanding of the gang mentality.
by Dan Hodge
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
So you've got some "color"to your mix and you've noticed that Trick Daddy, Puffy, and Tupac are some artists that your students are listening to. Well, regardless of race, demographics, or socioeconomic status, young people are influenced by popular urban culture. Whether they live in the city, or not chances are they're confronted with the influences, issues, and challenges that come with an urban-saturated youth culture. This session will offer some insights into those challenges and expose you to some tools that will ready you for a better-equipped and more urban-inclusive ministry.
by William Branch, Fred Lynch, Fred Oduyoye, Edward Bayonet, and Oddthomas
Talk presented Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Decription
A Do-Not-Miss experience! Come and dialogue about the church and hip-hop music and culture with some leading speakers, pastors and artists who can give all of us some great advice on navigating this topic that can sometimes get heated and taken out of context in the faith community.
Loving sex as a single? Are you wondering how to live holy and love it? Learn the theology of purity, sex and the body that will transform your life, so you can radiate it to the youth you work with.
About the Speaker
Melody is the Program Director for Lydia Home’s Abstinence Program. With her unique educating style, she speaks about the benefits of abstinence until marriage to youth and young adults in Chicago and nationwide and has over seven years of experience speaking about abstinence in schools, churches, camps, and conferences. She is also a director for BreakDown Chicago, a peer-to-peer outreach group that seeks to expose society’s lies about love, sex and relationships through the performing arts. Melody is a graduate from Moody Bible Institute with a BA in Communications.
Don't get it twisted! Urban Male Discipleship is needed now more than ever before! I will share with you some discipleship tools that you can take back to your hood or barrio. Let's empower our young men to keep on track, keep out of the ditches and off paths that will lead to death, destruction, addiction and wasted potential.
About the Speaker
Dario graduated from Nyack College with a BA in Social Science and Communication. He worked for The Salvation Army Greater New York Division as a Camp Director and as a Community Center Director. He joined New Life of NYC in 2001, and in recently became the youth pastor at the thriving Christian Cultural Center in NYC. Dario and his wife, Lavern, have three children and faithfully attend Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.
by Dan Hodge, Amy Jacober, Gregg Moder, Dean Borgman, and James Dekker
Fri, May 18, 2007
Description
A “fish bowl” community conversation with youth ministry educators on metaphors for urban youth ministry. Listen in on the conversation and then participate with these educators from around the country on the topic
There are an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. How do we respond faithfully to that reality? We will talk about the root causes of the immigration crisis, the proposed policy solutions and their potential impact. We will also introduce participants to the range of creative ways that Christians across the country are responding to the mission needs and opportunities of the immigration dilemma, including the new sanctuary movement.
About the Speaker
Alexia is the Executive Director of CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice), an organization of religious leaders throughout Los Angeles county who come together to respond to the crisis of working poverty by supporting low-wage workers in their struggle for a living wage, health insurance, fair working conditions and a voice in the decisions that affect them. Alexia is also the co-chair of a new statewide alliance of interfaithworker justice groups, CLUE California. CLUE California is currently organizing new chapters in Orange County and the Inland Empire.
by Curt Gibson, John Wilson, and Mayra Nolan Thurs, May 17, 2007
Description
Is your upper-middle-class-mono-culture-suburban church ready to welcome the urban street kid culture? Does the urban student have to cross a cultural boundary to come to know Jesus in your church? Is your senior pastor afraid of the students showing up at youth group? This forum may raise more questions than we have answers to but that's good! We'll discuss strategies for promoting diversity, programming for kids coming from multiple contexts and creating a safe atmosphere.
Efrem is an internationally recognized leader and speaker whose use of storytelling, comedy, and passion presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a level that people can understand, as well as presents principles for living life on a daily basis. He is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. Currently, he serves as Pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Efrem is married to Donecia and has two daughters, Jaeda and Mireya.
by Efrem Smith
Presented Saturday, May 17, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
Efrem is an internationally recognized leader and speaker whose use of storytelling, comedy, and passion presents
the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a level that people can understand, as well as presents principles for living life on a daily basis. He is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. Currently, he serves as Pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Efrem is married to Donecia and has two daughters, Jaeda and Mireya.
by Efrem Smith
Presented on Fri, May 18, 2007 at the Urban Youth Workers Institute Conference 2007.
About the Speaker
Efrem is an internationally recognized leader and speaker whose use of storytelling, comedy, and passion presents
the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a level that people can understand, as well as presents principles for living life on a daily basis. He is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. Currently, he serves as Pastor
of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Efrem is married to Donecia and has two daughters, Jaeda and Mireya.
So, you’ve decided that you want to work
for social justice but you’re not sure where
to start? In this workshop, we’ll discuss
what activism is and isn’t, the theology and
spirituality of activism along with practical
how-tos. Learn how to avoid burn out,
collaborate with diverse groups in your
community and empower yourself and others
to advocate for social change.
Shalom is a biblical concept that pushes us
as Kingdom people to examine the depths
of our understanding of wholeness, justice
and community. In Jeremiah 29, the Lord
commands his people to pray for and to seek
the shalom of Babylon, where they were
in exile. In this workshop, we will explore
how to do the same in the marginalized
neighborhoods of our nation and world
in such a way that people’s lives are
transformed and communities are revitalized.
Move the debate beyond non-denominational
prayers and private school vouchers. Explore
ways to engage public education reform
one school at a time. Equip your students
to become the men and women God made
them to be. Dare we expect that test scores
might improve and the trillions currently spent
on public education be managed better?
This session will discuss the relationship
between hip-hop and the church. It seeks to
address three basic concerns hip-hoppers
approach the church with:
What have you taught me? Where have you
sent me? Where are we going and
when will we get there?
Until we begin to look at the strong criticisms
of the church that many young people hold,
we will not be able to reach them. We will
delve into the lyrics of many rap legends,
including Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill, Kanye
West, Nas, and others, to decipher at what
point can we forge a ministry opportunity with
the hip-hop culture.
This generation of youth is multimedia
orientated. This class will teach you some
of the basic ways to use multimedia for your
benefit. You will learn about topics from
ordering your services, using video clips in
your messages, to making videos.
Teen moms are at-risk for dropping out of
your program and high school. Many times
the church doesn’t know what to do. Discover
how your program can help the teen mom
when she needs help the most. Discuss
key issues from current statistics to spiritual
matters to helping her plan for her future.
So you’ve got the “…all nations…” part of the
scriptures down pat, right? Many emerging
urban ministries are reflecting on the diversity
of the city as people from various ethnic
groups gather regularly. How many old-heads
or O.G.s are in your ministry? Are the haves
and have-nots equally valued? This session
will challenge and inspire you to consider
whether you are building bridges or lobbing
grenades at age and class groups.
You’ve heard the proverb, “It takes a
village to raise a child.” Likewise, it also
takes inspired partnerships to change and
impact your community. You just can’t do
it alone! This workshop will give you an
overview of what it takes to build successful
community initiatives from inside and outside
your community. We will include building
suburban/urban partnerships and developing
collaborative and cooperative relationships
within your community. Come and be inspired
to see how much more we can do when we
work together!
Every leader and ministry will face times
of intense spiritual warfare, as well as
seasons of great challenge, frustration
and discouragement. Intercessory prayer
and worship overcomes the fiery attacks
of the enemy, as well as bringing release
from hindrances in our personal lives. This
workshop teaches you how to build a team of
effective prayer warriors and intercessors who
will stand with you in the battles you will face.
This elective is a guide on how to bring
others along with you to share the ministry.
It gives helpful advice about intentionally
putting together a team of co-ministers- -
people who will share in the inner workings of
the ministry. Leaders will walk away learning
how to become more successful and effective
in youth ministry by being equipped with
specific strategies, tools, and ideas to build a
team-centered youth ministry.
What does your facility say to people?
There’s always potential! Crossover’s older
building has blossomed into an innovative
model. As the visionary for the campus
master plan - come check out this session
that will discuss creating specific space for
fellowship, prayer, sports, children and more.
You’ll see how being intentional about light, art,
paint and patio blocks can go a long way.
Inspired by this phrase from author Tom Sine,
“we will consider whether money has become
our God in this country.” As we do so, we will
look at some history of religion and politics
in the United States. And we will think out
loud together about the implications for what
we should be teaching our urban youth as
we seek to be models for them and mold
them into mature Christians and “successful”
Americans.
Jesus was not killed because he healed the
sick and fed the masses but because he
questioned the way the sick were treated and
why poverty exists. Are soup kitchens and
clothing drives enough or is Jesus asking us
to dig deeper and find a different approach to
addressing the injustices we see plaguing our
country? This workshop will explore what we
need to do to be more faithful to Jesus’ call to
“carry our cross” and follow him.
This text radically re-images the importance
and value of children from a Kingdom
perspective providing a provocative
theological framework with implications
in particular for urban youth ministry. For
revolutionaries only.
In this workshop, you will explore strategies
that fall outside the context of traditional
church-based outreaches to urban youth.
There will be a case study on a successful
community-based organization that is
effecting practical change in the day to
day lives of youth and connecting them to
the local church. You will walk away from
this workshop with an understanding of
community-based organizations and practical
tools that you can immediately put to use in
your ministry.
Taking a brief account of how the interaction
between theology and culture has been
perceived throughout the history of the
church, this workshop will synthesize the
various approaches in order to provide a
biblically-based approach toward an allinclusive
theological method with special
attention to the theological reflection of urban
youth culture.
What is in your leadership toolbox? What are
the micro-skills that Next Generation Urban
Leaders need? This learnshop will clarify
the core competencies that will distinguish
effective city-changing leaders from the rest
of the pack.
Do you want to know why a certain approach
to praise and worship works or doesn’t
work in your services? This 3 hour lab will
introduce the basic “dos and don’ts” of
worship, particularly for an urban setting. You
will learn what attitudes help or hinder the
flow of worship, as well as how to engage the
congregation.
From building community to setting up an
environment for successful ministry among
your volunteer staff, we will cover everything
from background checks to backyard BBQs.
Learn from our research and experience
along with nationwide best practices on
recruiting, training and the invaluable time
and heart-work of volunteers in your ministry.
Many of us are told to have our theological
beliefs guide all that we do but are never
told what this really means or how this
plays out in real life. Recognizing your own
theology and being intentional to reflect on
it will begin to unravel this mystery. We’ll
spend some time doing just this and giving
tools and resources for impact long after the
conference is over.
This seminar begins with a review of the
current literature around meeting the
educational, social and emotional needs
of the student who may be at-risk. We will
explore the impact that race, culture, socioeconomic
status, chaos, media influence and
other factors can have on a student’s ability
to successfully participate in the classroom.
Most importantly, we will investigate what
teachers can do to help students overcome
barriers to positive academic and life
outcomes.
The Spirit of Violence is attacking the minds
of youth and young adults through every
known air wave, (i.e., multi-media, video
games etc.) A holistic approach to serving
gangs begins first with building relationships
before you can serve the many needs of
a wannabe or active gang banger. In this
workshop you will learn practical steps to
begin the process in your community.
Brad Fieldhouse (p.45) Ryan VerWys (p.56)
Come join the dialogue about creating a
citywide prayer strategy, as we partner with
God, who is calling us to pray for and in
our cities. We will talk about why we should
pray, how to network with others who are
praying to bring together a collaborative
prayer movement, what some of the barriers
might be and we will discover our roles in the
process.
Dr. Robert Laurent has said that the number
one reason young people leave the church
is lack of involvement. I believe that the most
effective way to change the lives of students
is to get them involved in service and
leadership. This session will explore ways to
help young people find their gifts and utilize
those gifts in the life of the church.
Becoming the right person and recruiting the
right people are the keys to being successful
as you start off in youth ministry. Come and
learn about these ministry essentials from
over 20 years of youth ministry experience.
Learn how to discover and develop the
mission, vision and values that will honor the
Lord, reflect you, your team and your ministry
and impact your community for Christ.
Imagine a world where youth pastors and
police officers are partnered together to
mentor students, help them find God’s hope
for their lives and where the people of God
care for law enforcement agencies as they
protect our urban streets. Police Chaplains
have the potential to be the men/women
of God’s peace, connect with the Police
Department and community being served,
build relationships with the most at-risk
youth and impact the Police Department and
community with God’s hope and love.
In this workshop we will discuss a chapter out
of my book The Love of the Game: The Great
Commissioner’s Draft. This message
encourages us to beware of Satan’s bait
which sometimes leads to identity theft in
our lives as leaders. We will focus on how
the enemy breaks down our “defense” and
what we need to be aware of to persist in the
“game” of urban youth ministry.
The transition to college can be a challenging
experience for the faith of our youth. Learn
about equipping your youth to navigate
the faith challenges they’ll face in secular
universities - relativism, relationships, racism
and more. Learn to help them not just to
survive in college but how to thrive and
grow. Teach them how to prepare your youth
before they go, how to send them & how to
encourage their growth while they are “away
at school.”
Did you know that we sin against God when
we abuse the environment? Rarely do we
think of caring for nature as a sacred act
of a loving God. Yet scripture extols our
responsibility as caretakers of God’s creation.
Learn how we as Christians can honor God’s
gift in our personal life and ministry and
through daily actions of stewardship that
sustain and protect the integrity of all life.
Do you have a hard time understanding this
new generation and knowing how to reach
them for Christ? What is postmodernism
and how does it affect our approach to
the Gospel? This session will provide an
overview of the postmodern culture, shed
light on how postmodernism will affect
the future of youth ministry and address
guidelines for evangelism.
Do your students listen to music? Is there a
white earphone cord constantly attached to
their ears? Have you ever wondered what
the importance, relevance or significance is
of music to this current generation of kids?
Well, this is the class for you! We will take a
look at some practical ways of interpreting
musical messages, understanding how music
is a form of expression and art and most
importantly, how to locate Jesus within music
today.
This workshop will explore a theology of
church development, as well as provide four
practical stages for developing an urban,
multi-ethnic, and/or hip-hop church. Vision,
purpose, strategic planning and core team
development are just some of the elements
that will be broken down within the four
stages.
Paul was one of the most effective
cross-cultural ministers, ministering in a
multicultural environment. Looking at the
apostle Paul as an example and using the
Corinthian church as a model, this workshop
will explore the challenges of diversity facing
our schools, neighborhoods and student
ministries today.
Christian charities and ministries receive
80% of all charitable giving in the U.S. and
nonprofit websites are capturing a huge part
of that. Come and learn how to hook your
website into this income stream and enhance
your search engine hits. We’ll also look at
how to crack the “workplace giving” hurdle
and receive corporate “matching funds.”
“The tongue has the power of life and
death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”
(Proverbs 18:21). How many times have
you heard your teens use certain “words” so
loosely that it gets you upset? You think to
yourself “If they only knew!” Well, allow us to
share with you a bible study of these certain
“words” that you can take home and share
with your teens.
Faith-based initiatives are still a relatively
new concept. Come and join an exciting and
interactive time of learning as we discover
opportunities and identify potential pitfalls to
working with federal grants.
- Learn the “language”
- Learn the “customs”
- Learn about opportunities
If you’re into graphics, geekery or graffiti,
come connect to talk about artistic processes
and inspiration. Share tips, tricks and trade
secrets that you use. If nothing else, come
to share what works for you and meet others
who do what you do.
Have you clearly identified your theological
and philosophical foundations for urban youth
ministry? Ministry issues such as urban youth
culture, multi-cultural ministry and program
development are addressed everyday.
But how does our theology speak to these
issues? This session is designed to present
a model for biblical reflection that is practical
for both new and seasoned youth leaders.
You will be challenged to be more relevant in
your teaching and application of Scripture.
Are you struggling to help students reach
their maximum potential because you are too
busy spending time on disciplinary issues?
Are you feeling burned out or frustrated
with the kids you’re trying to reach? If so,
join us for this interactive workshop where
we will discover and practice some very
concrete ways to provide consistent and safe
boundaries for children and teens.
What’s going on here? Why is the faith
community fragmented? Why am I not being
welcomed into the “hood”? Why are people
suspicious of me? What can I do about the
opposition I am facing? Are there deeper
issues that I need to be aware of?
From the Gospels to Antwone Fisher to a
scene from a school counselor’s office, we’ll
discuss our responsibility and needed skills
in dealing with young people who may be
hostile, angry, hurting or deeply confused.
Recommended resources include Larry
Brendtro and Scott Larson’s The Resilience
Revolution, the Forty Assets, and More.
Urban youth have few role models of success
beyond their youth leaders. Connecting youth
to a vision of their future not only includes
developing their faith and obedience, but
also their minds and passions. Preparing
youth for college is not usually on the mind of
youth leaders, but this session will offer some
practical ways of helping students think about
choices, goals, and overcoming barriers to
graduating and going on to college.
Homosexuality is becoming the most divisive
issue facing the Christian community today,
especially in urban centers. These workshops
will emphasize the powerfully healing effect
that the redemption of those with same-sex
attraction can offer our communities.
Part 1 will highlight the common base of
brokenness, out of which homosexuality
emerges, and the healing available to all. It
will be a challenge to the “we-them” mentality
and a call to sexual integrity for all who desire
to minister to the homosexual.
How does the real you meet the real me?
Moreover, how is God revealed to us? Is HE
a part of my story? How do we create “our
story”? Story in its truest sense is the locating
of one’s own soul through the reflection of
one’s own journey and finding out in the end
that we are all connected! Through the telling
of our story, we not only find ourselves but
also each other and in that place, the nature
of God is revealed in community.
What is 1+1? Why does 1+1= 2? What are
the differences between these questions?
Get the point? Different questions require us
to think on different levels. Come discover
Blooms Taxonomy and the different cognitive
levels of questions that will help your youth
to go deeper in their thinking and learning.
Asking questions is a skill that we can all
develop. Find out how.
This workshop will provide an understanding
of the role of power and influence that the
Hip-Hop sub-culture plays in the spiritual
development of youth. You will be able to
discern Hip-Hop’s messages of spirituality
and leave this workshop equipped with
tools and a deeper understanding of how to
connect the message of the Gospel in and
through the spirituality of Hip-Hop.
Harambee Junior Staff Program was created
to bring Christ, structure and confidence into
at-risk youth in our neighborhood. These
young people enter the program to make
money but find new friends who challenge
them to get through the struggles of life.
They get to where the value is not in making
money but belonging to something that is
bigger than them, a Christian community.
The urban church is about more than the
Sunday morning worship experience; it is
about building a holistic and Christ-centered
community. This workshop will explore a
holistic approach to ministry which will lift
up ministry areas and models, including
Christian Formation, Kingdom Advancement
and Community Development. Five Core
Values (known as the “Five E’s”) will be
presented as a model of building ministries
that make an impact beyond Sunday.
This seminar will assist you in developing
a ministry that takes youth from a “Me-
Centered” focus to a Servant Leadership
focus. Concrete ideas and methods will be
demonstrated that you can transfer to your
ministry.
What do Islamic terrorism, the tide of
socialism/populism in Latin America and
urban violence in the U.S. have to do with
one another? In this workshop, we will
explore the concept of “shalom” and discuss
what the U.S. has/has not been doing to
promote peace and stability across the
globe as it relates to fighting poverty and
oppression. We will discuss how our own
individual roles relates to the government and
church’s role by addressing similar needs in
our own needy communities.
This workshop will give you tips and ideas on
how to get the parents engaged and involved
in your after-school program. You will also
get some insight on What-Not-To-Do. We
will touch on cultural issues with the many
families we work with.
Is scripture relevant to a world where the
divide between the rich and poor continues
to grow? Absolutely! Definitely! Yes! This
workshop is ambitious and participantdriven.
It explores biblical issues such as
stewardship, jubilee and redistribution by
looking at practical economic models such as
common purse, microenterprise, economic
development and community economic
development.
Mentoring is one of the most effective and
least expensive forms of ministry and is a
wonderful tool for reaching young people
who need adult support. This workshop will
explore different models of mentoring, some
Scriptural principles that make mentoring
work and provide some practical guidance on
how to start a mentoring program.
There are too many lone rangers in youth
ministry that end up being burnt up and burnt
out. We will examine practical ways to build
stamina for your personal walk and your
ministry. Learn the different ministry stages
and how to navigate them so that you can
build a life and ministry for the long haul.
Currently Hip Hop Culture is an international
influence on youth. Hidden inside the art
form of rap are the teachings of “Nation of
Islam” and “5 Percent” theology. What are
their core beliefs in light of Christianity? Why
did they originate in the American context?
How do we engage this culture as urban
missionaries? Pastor Jack Hakimian will be
exploring these questions in this workshop.
For 17 years, Mission Waco has been
mobilizing hundreds of middle-class students
and adults toward more compassionate
involvement among the poor through its
weekend Poverty Simulations and Out-of-
Country Exposure trips. The workshop will
describe and give guidelines on how carefully
designed experiences confront many of
the myths about the poor during the guided
training. (Manuals of the Poverty Simulation
available for $10).
Corporate profiteers produce and market
media for a target youth audience they
call mooks and midriffs -- caricatures that
exploit adolescent insecurities and hormones
-- a strategy described as “grabbing below
the belt and reaching for their wallets”.
The result: average teens now consume
digital media for 72 hours each week and
increasingly digest media online in what the
New York Times calls, “Websites Without
Rules.” This workshop will equip you to
respond to this reality.
There is no doubt that if you are in ministry,
organizing your time and programs while
building a team becomes more challenging
each week. What if you had a model to
help you focus your efforts and even help
you evaluate your ministry’s effectiveness?
This workshop will help you organize your
ministry so that your activities are aligned for
Kingdom impact.
The forces of gentrification have brought
the cultural poles together into the same
neighborhood and this new proximity pushes
daunting questions to the forefront of our
outreach strategies. Can you speak wisdom
into the lives of those affected by racism but
at the same time to those who have known
nothing but privilege? Can we wrap our arms
around the Gospel widely enough to be
able to invite people of all ethnic and racial
backgrounds into our church? This seminar
will explore these questions and pursue a
theology big enough to minister effectively in
the new urban world.
Do you need to retreat from the busyness
of ministry and focus on your Creator? We
have just the experience for you. Enjoy this
session of personal renewal - worshipping
our King, looking within, praying for your
family and friends and allowing the Holy Spirit
to renew your call and give you the energy to
move forward. A much-needed oasis for ALL
youth workers.
The statistics on young people leaving the
church (or never attending) is staggering. I
believe that young people have incredible
potential as leaders that needs to be tapped
into, affirmed and utilized in the church. This
Learning Lab is based on a Student Leadership
Training that has been designed as a highimpact,
interactive event for young people with
leadership qualities that takes them to the next
level. We will walk you through key principles in
helping young people become the leaders God
intends them to be.
This workshop will address the subtle ways
boundaries are crossed in the life of a single
man or woman in ministry and how we can
better hold to the established boundaries in
our lives that allow us to live life to the fullest
while serving in ministry.
What does it mean to be on the street? If
you get a youth off the street physically are
they really less street involved? Participants
in this workshop will gain insights into what
it means to relate to the world through street
developed concepts. Participants will be
introduced to values and beliefs that sit below
the surface of urban street culture and to
service delivery philosophies that will equip
youth workers to help kids walk away from
street life.
Junior High is such a pivotal stage in a
person’s life and yet it’s also the most
confusing for both leaders and junior
highers! Come and learn how to be
more effective with your junior highers
by better understanding them and their
world. Understand what they’re thinking, why
they say the things they say or do the things
they do and how to interact with them to have
a greater impact in their lives. You’ll never
be frustrated again when dealing with your
amazing junior highers!
From Hebrew Scriptures to the New
Testament, justice has always been central to
God’s message to humanity. In this workshop
we will explore how the struggle for justice
has been a constant theme throughout
the Bible and what that message of justice
means to us as modern day Christians as we
strive to build the Kingdom of God.
“SEND ME, I’ll Go.” Jesus said if you love me
you will obey my commands (John 14:15).
How can we obey Him and teach others
without understanding His orders? Join us
as we examine what Jesus had to say in His
Great Commission for His people.
We know that there are increasing numbers
of people in our community who are working
hard but are unable to afford the basics. Why
is this happening? What solution can we find
that is systemic, effective and faithful? This
workshop will answer those questions.
We know that there are increasing numbers
of people in our community who are working
hard but are unable to afford the basics. Why
is this happening? What solution can we find
that is systemic, effective and faithful? This
workshop will answer those questions.
The majority of our students have been
affected by a prevailing 21st-Century
phenomenon: global urbanization. If one
formerly had to cross oceans to reach the
nations, one must now cross cultures to
reach the neighborhood. There is no place
for us to hide from this phenomenon; the
church must take its place in the center of
this new reality with the only weapon that
God has given. Come find out what you have
in your possession to win back the souls of
the streets.
Around the country there is a rising tension
between African-Americans and Latinos.
Many urban youth workers find themselves
in the middle of these challenges or are
anticipating them. This workshop is designed
to explore the issues and identify common
spaces for Latino and Black Christian leaders
to work together. Come prepared to share
from your experience and to learn from other
attendees, as well as the workshop leaders.
The Scriptures are alive and colored with
the details of our human experience so why
settle for blah, bland and boring skits? Our
congregations are pining to make a legitimate
emotional connection to the Word and that’s
where the performing arts take center stage.
This writing workshop helps you identify
ways to “pull on the text” and “pour in the
intangibles.” It’s not about being a good
writer ... it’s about being a good reader.
Come and gather with other leaders
who want to begin the day with a time of
unplugged worship. No need to take notes,
no need to come and hear a couple new
things to do. Just come, close your eyes and
lift your voice to our King.
An interactive dialogue with Urban Youth
Leaders working with Pacific Islander youth
and their families! This Lab is designed for
youth leaders to reflect on their work with
young people and their families, locate and
identify past instead of current issues and
re-imagine positive solutions on behalf of the
youth in the Pacific Islander Community.
Is your upper-middle-class-mono-culturesuburban
church ready to welcome the urban
street kid culture? Does the urban student
have to cross a cultural boundary to come to
know Jesus in your church? Is your senior
pastor afraid of the students showing up at
youth group? This forum may raise more
questions than we have answers to but that’s
good! We’ll discuss strategies for promoting
diversity, programming for kids coming
from multiple contexts and creating a safe
atmosphere.
A panel of community development workers
will be sharing how they partner with
community residents, local churches and
city government to establish and sustain
after-school programs that truly respond to
the community’s vision for their neighborhood
while engaging the church in community
transformation. Join us as we work past
who a program belongs to, to mutual
understanding and collaboration that honors
the strengths of those involved.
From kids in gangs to violence in our
neighborhood to just a busy schedule. As
urban youth workers, our lives are full of
stress. In this seminar, we will dive into the
results of a nationwide Fuller Seminary study
of urban youth workers to understand not just
the stress in our lives but also the resources
we need to serve God and kids for the long
haul. You’ll leave with all sorts of practical
ideas that you and others in your ministry can
use starting tomorrow.
This workshop will address the different
seasons of a woman’s life. It will also discuss
some of the hindrances to answering
and honoring your call. This session is
also recommended for men who want to
know how to encourage and facilitate the
development of women on behalf of the
Kingdom of God.
Bridging the gap … making a difference
… impacting lives. These are all things we
want to do but how far are we willing to go?
Hip-Hop and R&B are very controversial.
Can this technique be used in the church? All
music was originated by God so it’s time to
take it back to its original roots. Join us as we
discuss how to effectively take the root that
culture and society use for their beneift and
transform it into something that benefits the
church body and God’s Kingdom.
Did you know that people learn 80% visually
and 20% audibly, but we in the church usually
talk 80% of the time? This learning lab will help
you learn to communicate beyond words by
using drama, video and other relevant methods
to reach this culture while staying Biblically
focused.
Come join the informative and interactive
dialogue about creating inter-dependent and
collaborative networks, as we work together
for God’s Kingdom in our cities. We will talk
about why we should network, how to network,
what some of the barriers might be and we will
discover our roles in the process. Everyone
has a part to play in city-wide networking!
Everybody may not be an artist but we are
all creative because we are made in God’s
image. This workshop gives participants
tools for developing their own diverse
creative worship experience by looking at
the following topics: private worship/public
ministry, the difference between creativity
and artistry, the balance between craft and
enthusiasm, measuring creative excellence
by God’s standard and getting/giving honest
feedback- joyful noises?
Most ministry mailings fail to bring in the
kinds of funds we hope for. Come learn
some basic and new tools that will help you
and your staff increase the return on your
newsletter and appeals. Bring examples of
past pieces which we’ll review and evaluate
to give you practical no cost or low cost
solutions to generate more funds.
Do you have a passion for sports? Do you
want to reach youth and their families in your
community? Would you like to use sports
as an evangelistic tool to reach families for
Christ? In this session you will learn how to
organize, coordinate, and direct an awesome
sports ministry that can help unify and
change the church/community in which
you serve!
Becoming the right person and recruiting the
right people are the keys to being successful
as you start off in youth ministry. Come and
learn about these ministry essentials from
over 20 years of youth ministry experience.
Second Thought takes KRS1’s coined
term “edutainment” and brings it to life!
Edutainment: Engaging Urban Youth the ST
Way allows students to flex their creative
muscles and analyze what is considered
entertainment in today’s hip-hop culture.
Are you satisfied with the results of your
ministry? What if you could get even greater
results? Come discover what missing pieces
may be keeping you from experiencing the
ultimate results in your after school program.
This will be a totally interactive lab – come
prepared to work.
This forum will explore new ways to:
- effectively engage and reach un-churched
students attending public schools
- be a resource for teachers and
administrators
- use the public school forum as a platform
for ministry
In this class you will learn practical ways to
grow your youth ministry. Discussions will
range from creating and passing out flyers to
effective discipleship. This class promises to
revolutionize your youth ministry.
Want to make the leap in your ministry
from mediocre to excellent and dynamic?
Learn the development of Leadership and
Team Based Ministry of Eight Principles
that transcend all situations and models of
ministry. As a backdrop we will explore author
Jim Collin’s research “Good to Great” and
more.
What is gentrification? How do I know if it
is happening in my community? What’s so
bad about development that will make things
“nicer”? This workshop will address these
questions and provide a basic introduction to
how gentrification is affecting communities
and what some ministries have done in
response to gentrification in their area.
Jesus wants you to be healed of the things
that cause you pain and hold you back from
being the person and leader He wants you
to be. Ken Unger will explain the biblical
mandate and some of the methods for
healing your brokenness and will share
the approach he has used successfully
in retreats and seminars across the U.S.
for over 27 years. You will also leave this
workshop with some tools for participating in
the Lord’s healing of others.
Transitions in life are always hard, especially
if your a pre-teen or teen. Come hear how
you can intentially help your youth make
these transitions and not drop-off during
these important times of their lives. We will
discuss the needs of the students as they
transition from 5th to 6th grade, 8th to 9th grade
and 12th grade to College, as well as how to
adjust your ministry to meet these needs.
We are all aware that environment is one of
the greatest influencers of young lives but
in addition to difficult living environments,
what makes this time in urban youth ministry
particularly challenging is the popularity of
Hip-Hop and the message it preaches. This
workshop will explore the connections (and
disconnections) between Hip-Hop and the ills
of our urban cities. It will also give you some
practical ways to transform this environment.
If your church closed today, what difference
would it make in the community that you
serve? We will examine the practical steps
that can establish your church or ministry as
a force to reach your community holistically in
the lives of youth.
We will share the realities of our struggle
for discipline and respect in ministry; we are
not alone! Identify some fundamentals of
understanding respect among adolescents.
Explore some pathways to elevate discipline
(respect) in ministry. We will close with some
encouraging and empowering words from
Scripture.
If you ever wanted to do a High School
Assembly, then this workshop will challenge
you to begin taking the first steps toward
achieving your goal. We will cover topics
such as how to set your vision, the dos and
don’ts, targeting small and large venues and
setup and the public school system.
Have you ever looked out at your community,
saw thousands of youth walking around and
wondered how to pull them together to hear
the Gospel? If you want to learn how to reach
young people through large group meetings,
then this workshop is for you.
Gang members come in all ages, some as
young as seven. Come and learn strategies
that youth workers and parents can use to
keep children from gang involvement. Be
exposed to current approaches to children
in 4th-6th grade who bully, exclude, tease
and rage against other children and want
to emulate gang behavior. You will leave
understanding more about gangs and gang
prevention with children influenced by gangs.
Most churches in urban communities are
small and many are dying off. At the same
time, God is raising up new models of
ministry to relevantly engage the “hood” with
the truth of Christ. Five years ago, Crossover
Church in Tampa, Fl. went from a small
struggling church to a thriving church with
three Sunday services and seven full-time
staff. Come out and hear some practical
advice about recreating the faith community
in today’s urban context.
In this forum, we’ll have open and honest
discussion about issues women face in
ministry. Bring your questions and comments
from everything to cross-gender teams,
supervising boys, working with those who
question your call, plus other important
topics. Ask questions of veteran youth
workers and frontline practitioners and join
the discussion!
Have you ever seen a film and wondered
what the meaning was really all about?
Why is it that so many from the Hip-Hop
generation love films such as Scarface,
Hostel and Silent Hill? Furthermore, is there
any “Jesus” in Hollywood? This elective will
discuss basic film theory concepts, meaning
behind some popular films and challenge you
to go deeper with Christ within films with your
students. Become “skilled” at really seeing
a film.
We all have tried it: Taking the reigns
from society and forging an effective and
contemporary way to communicate God’s
truth that doesn’t turn kids off. But where
do you draw the line? In Kingdom ‘Jacko-
nomics’, Fred Lynch shares practical
methods for striking a balance between being
too worldly for the church and too churchy for
the world.
In communities blighted by absent fathers,
incarceration, underperforming school
districts, drugs and other social ills, how can
youth ministries come alongside individual
youths to equip and empower them for
leadership? Is developing indigenous
leaders even worth the heartache and effort?
Examine the myths, methods and messages
of effective mentorship.
This practical seminar will help children and
youth workers to live and minister from a
learning perspective. Taken from a humorous
parable, you will explore the importance
of creating a learning community in your
ministry.
(Limit 35 Participants-10 extra people can observe.)
Come experience this eye opening simulation
that will help uncover some of the realities of
power and class in our country. Discover
some underlying truths that can be translated
to understand and communicate with our
youth on a whole new level.
As the boundary lines begin to fade in
our community, how do we respond
programmatically to the differing needs
of youth coming from different ethnicities,
cultures and socio-economic world-views?
We must learn to exegete the streets of our
neighborhood and know who we minister
to, in order to program effectively. Students
from the suburbs and the city live right next
to each other and it’s time they started
experiencing the Kingdom and sharing their
lives together.
“Are you dating anyone? When are you
getting married? You need to hurry or you’ll
miss out on God’s plan for you!” Are you
bombarded non-stop with these questions/
statements from those who are in your life?
Do you feel that maybe you aren’t in sync
with God’s will for you? Come and hear what
God has in store for you and your singleness
and understand that He definitely has a
purpose for you!
Youth Ministry requires that we deal with
young people as members of society as well
as individuals. When we only minister to
youth as individuals, we give the improper
impression that society and its institutions are
fine and don’t need fixing. This workshop will
help participants identify policy issues that
affect our young people and their families,
and identify strategies of engagement, that
we might be advocates for justice in their
lives.
This workshop will cover basic truths about
how the brain processes new information
and why we struggle imparting the Word of
God to this generation. We will look closely at
how the Master Teacher Jesus used practical
teaching methodology that coincides with
how the brain is designed to learn.
What is Slam Poetry? How does Slam Poetry
fit into the HipHop Culture? Can Slam Poetry
be a part your ministry? This interactive
session will help you learn the art and skill of
effective Slam Poetry. Find out how to use
your gift of poetry in your ministry, understand
the subculture of Slam Poetry, and learn how
to perform in the market place of other slam
poets. Bring you poetry pieces with you, this
will be an open poetry session.
The Street Team is a growing group of young
adults from the Community of East Palo Alto
who were formerly involved in violent and/or
drug related activities in our community and
have been healed. With the combination
of “street credibility” and the street soldier
methodology these young adults are
extremely effective. Their primary objective is
to build or nurture existing relationships with
the youth who are considered “non-program
youth.” These relationships become a voice
of reason, an option of peace and an avenue
of access to reengage life options.
This workshop will provide strategies for
the urban youth worker in supporting youth
who have been arrested or incarcerated as
they return to the community. Whether in the
context of a formal program or as an individual
act of ministry, urban youth workers can meet
a critical need in our communities by providing
consistent and focused support to youth
who have come into contact with the juvenile
justice system. The workshop will explore the
challenges young people face when they enter
the juvenile justice system and specific areas
that require intervention and support.
My Humps+Smack That = Living Holy?
How to teach your youth that purity of mind,
body and heart matters to God. Learn
creative and practical ways to communicate
this vital message of living an enjoyable holy
lifestyle in the midst of a sex-crazed world.
Current Christian artistic expressions
are often scrutinized and criticized as
unconventional and irreverent. The Creative
Worship Experience is both reverent and
relevant. This workshop will explore the
following topics: unconventional worship and
compromise, ministry behind the scenes,
setting the atmosphere for reverence, and
diverse expressions of worship.
What do you really have to know to help
generations move from being given a fish
to learning to fish to owning the pond?
This workshop lays a solid foundation
for engaging in community economic
development. It will explore the connections
between poverty, community development,
outreach and economic justice. This
workshop will be taught using interactive
exercises and case studies. A list of reference
resources will be provided to participants.
This class will focus on the plight of African-
American male adolescents and their
conditions, while also investigating ways to
disciple them lovingly.
Working with young people constantly
leads us to questions of power and place.
But how does our theology speak to these
issues? Kids often feel that the wonder of
life’s creation is followed by captivity and
occupation. What are some of the places in
our ministries that represent power? What
do those whom we serve have to say about
those places and the power it represents?
The roots of the Christian Community
Development Association (CCDA) stretch
back to 1960 when John and Vera Mae
Perkins relocated their family to the struggling
community of Mendenhall, Mississippi to
work with the people there. This seminar will
walk through the eight components of CCDA
and tell the story of River City Community
Church as they have applied these principles
in Chicago, Il. It will also explore ways that
your ministry can utilize the CCDA philosophy
to minister more effectively in your context.
It has been said that the last seven words
of a dying church are: “We’ve never done
it that way before.” Many youth groups are
“stuck-in-a-rut” of doing the same basic
youth ministry format week after week. This
workshop will help you explore a variety
of ways to do youth ministry differently
by establishing a Biblical basis for doing
innovative, creative approaches to youth
ministry and providing ideas for how to
implement new models without compromising
the message.
Let’s move beyond the Bible Club. Come
hear how public schools are partnering with
churches and faith-based organizations
in ways that would have been considered
“unheard of” 20 years ago. Mentor programs,
after-school programs and church adopt-aschool
programs are just a few ways that
faith groups and public schools can interface
on behalf of the student. We will discuss
several models that will take you beyond
basic programming but will NOT discuss the
latest debate or legal issues surrounding
prayer in schools.
Have you had a hard time balancing ministry
and marriage? Maybe you’re wondering if
the person you’re going to marry can endure
the hardships of ministry? This workshop is
designed to give you balance and direction
on how couples can complement each other
in ministry.
Most artists that have a music or worship
ministry many times look to a record label to
help propel their ministry to the next level or
a national level. Times are changing as the
digital revolution is now here and technology
has made things faster and cheaper. This
session will break down many myths about the
music industry and give some practical advice
along with plenty of time for Q and A.
Amidst a world plagued with pain and suffering,
we often respond with brotherly love and good
works as the Bible dictates. However, God
also wants us to move beyond mere service.
In this forum, a cacophony of voices will invite
us to consider what it means to embody God’s
Kingdom coming on earth, and what it looks
like to begin enacting God’s justice in our
neighborhoods and world.
This workshop will give you the practical tools
for developing and equipping young people for
the work of ministry and leadership. Enabling
them to make a difference on their campus,
neighborhood and youth group.
How can the church empower parents to
raise godly kids? What can we provide
to help families that are unraveling at the
seams? What hope is there for dysfunctional
homes and disillusioned heads of
households? This workshop underscores the
importance of ministering to youth beginning
with … their parents.
Currently Hip Hop Culture is an international
influence on youth. Hidden inside the art
form of rap are the teachings of “Nation of
Islam” and “5 Percent” theology. What are
their core beliefs in light of Christianity? Why
did they originate in the American context?
How do we engage this culture as urban
missionaries? Pastor Jack Hakimian will be
exploring these questions in this workshop.
Corporate profiteers produce and market
media for a target youth audience they
call mooks and midriffs -- caricatures that
exploit adolescent insecurities and hormones
-- a strategy described as “grabbing below
the belt and reaching for their wallets”.
The result: average teens now consume
digital media for 72 hours each week and
increasingly digest media online in what the
New York Times calls, “Websites Without
Rules.” This workshop will equip you to
respond to this reality.
There is no doubt that if you are in ministry,
organizing your time and programs while
building a team becomes more challenging
each week. What if you had a model to
help you focus your efforts and even help
you evaluate your ministry’s effectiveness?
This workshop will help you organize your
ministry so that your activities are aligned for
Kingdom impact.
This is the Urban Youth Workers Institute 2007 Friday Afternoon Session. If you are in the frontlines of youth ministry and face the challenges of mentoring, discipling and leading youth in the midst of a sexually indulgent culture, then this workshop will address the concerns we have in leading our youth through the process of purity. This workshop will address building healthy friendships, dating/courting, abstinence and relationship warning signs. (This information is from Urban Youth Workers Institute)
