Youth Workers Track
Schedule of Workshops
John Addleman and Chuck Jantzi
What were you thinking? Understanding why teens do what they do
Significant changes occur in the way teens think, and consequently act, throughout adolescence. Teens often increase risk-taking behavior, overestimate how often they are the center of attention, believe that no one can understand what they are going through, and often believe bad things could never happen to them. This session will identify some of the key changes in the way teens think and will also help youth workers determine some appropriate responses to the behavioral changes that accompany the "advances" in thinking that adolescents encounter.
John is a professor of Psychology at Messiah College where he often teaches developmental psychology courses, including Adolescent Development. John has worked in youth ministry as a youth pastor and a youth worker for over six years and currently works with the youth at the Grantham Brethren-in-Christ 
Church. He and his wife, Ellie, have two teenage sons.
Chuck is an assistant professor of Psychology at Messiah College. He also works part-time as a therapist at Philhaven Behavioral Healthcare specializing with teens and families. In addition, he and his wife, Twila, serve as youth leaders at Marietta Community Chapel and are parents of four boys, ages 10-19.
Randy Blackford
Raising the Bar for Effective Influence
From "Just do it" to "Because I said so," many of us have been victims of poor attempts at influence that turned toward manipulation. Adolescents are no strangers to this experience of "the bulldozer effect" at home and in the church. However, if we can understand where individuals are when/if considering change, we can tailor our approach to best fit their stage on the continuum of change development. This is not for discussion only: in addition to talking about the model of change, we will also apply it to our own lives as well.
Randy Blackford is an adjunct instructor in the Psychology and Communications departments at Messiah College. In addition to his interests in psychology, pedagogy, culture, and technology, Randy has been called a change evangelist for his attempts to help himself and others grasp the different stages involved in implementing change in our own lives, the lives of others, and in organizations. Randy currently attends DaySpring Ministries, a multiethnic congregation.
Dave Coryell
Unleashing Youth as Leaders
Christian youth have just as much of the Holy Spirit as adult Christians, and yet the church has kept them on the sidelines for decades. Do you believe that today is the day that teens can be set free to allow God to use them to have an impact for Christ? Unleashing youth as leaders will provide for encouragement, challenge, and principles that will transform your youth ministry into a place where youth are IN Ministry.
Dave was a youth pastor for 15 years before becoming director of Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor during the summer of 2007. Dave is also an adjunct youth ministry professor at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Myerstown. The author of two devotional booklets and a resource manual for youth workers, Dave enjoys family, coaching soccer, movies, strategy games, and reading to learn.
Keith & Kristyn Getty
Worship Seminar [Offered only during 11:00 a.m. track.]
The Gettys specialize in writing hymns and songs for use in the modern day church. Their music is receiving international acclaim for both for its artistic appeal and its faithful expression of Biblical and doctrinal themes. In addition to providing opening worship and an evening concert, the Gettys have agreed to offer a workshop on leading worship as part of the conference program.
For biographical information, see their profile.
Mike Harder
Writing God's Story on the Heart of Teens
Learning how to write the story of God on the hearts of your teens is critical to the vitality of your youth ministry. In this workshop we will discuss and explore creative and experiential teaching methods that help you as a youth worker engage the hearts and minds of your students resulting in life transformation. We will also discuss how to help teens see the major threads and themes through the Bible and how they relate to them today.
Mike, a 20-year youth ministry veteran, is presently the youth pastor at Branchcreek Community Church in Harleysville, Pa. He serves as a Sonlife Ministries trainer, traveling around the country and sometimes internationally to conduct training events. Mike was one of the authors of the book, The Inside Out Youth Worker.
Tony Hunt
Cultivating passionate leadership from a volunteer team
The backbone of every youth ministry is the volunteer. These volunteers are strapped for time and often come with little experience. This track is focusing on how to nurture "on fire" commitment from a team that cannot be fired.
Tony oversees the youth ministry and specifically provides direct oversight to grades 9-12 at the West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He is the son of a career youth pastor and committed likewise to that same career. Tony has been in full-time youth ministry since 1993, and feels like the work has only begun. He enjoys teaching and spending time with students and youth workers.
Dan Keefer
Sexual Addiction: Bondage to Counterfeit Intimacy
Students, like people of all ages, desire intimate relationships with others. But, many have bought the counterfeit of sexual pleasure rather than experience the close, intimate relationships God created us for. The purpose of this seminar is to help you understand why students settle for the counterfeit and how you can help them exchange counterfeit intimacy for the real thing.
Dan is Community Relations Director at Day Seven Ministries, an organization whose mission is to bring light to individuals and families walking the darkness of sexual and relational conflicts by providing Christ-centered counseling, education, and support. Previously, Dan served in local church ministry for twelve years with the majority of those years as a youth pastor.
[Afternoon session for the following workshop is now full.
Morning session still available.]
Jim Kilmartin
Mentoring, Discipling, & Fathering - Raising up an emerging generation
Jesus calls us to produce fruit that remains. We are created to be in relationship with the Father, His Son, and His present Spirit. Relationship withstands the test of time, trials, and all that the enemy throws at us. Paul instructed his spiritual son, Timothy, to raise up sons in the faith. We are called to do the same as we develop mentoring, discipling, "fathering" relationships.
Jim is the founder and executive director of Joshua House (www.joshuahousetyrone.org), a dynamic ministry that shapes the lives and destinies of kids, youth, and young adults for the kingdom of God. Jim is an elder at Antioch International Church in State College, PA, owns Kingdom Solutions, LLC, manages Keystone Business Support West, and is Mayor of Tyrone, PA. Jim and his team passionately seek to see the Kingdom of God influence every part of life to see society transformed.
Dr. Jay McDermond and Kristina Lewis, (For Adults and Student Leaders)
The Peaceable Kingdom: Teaching Youth Peace? [Offered only during 11:00 a.m. track.]
This session will explore the biblical foundation and vision for peacemaking. These principles will then be applied to practical concerns of youth ministries and their surrounding communities. Participants are encouraged to bring personal examples and illustrations for discussion.
Jay is professor of Christian Ministry and Spirituality and has taught at Messiah College since 1987. He also serves as the Director of the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan Studies and holds the Hostetter Chair of Religious Studies. In May, 2003 he was named as "Smith Outstanding Teacher of the Year". An avid reader, this year he is focusing primarily on the biographies of Christians, such as Mr. Rogers, Mother Teresa and William Wilberforce, among others.
Kristina is a senior majoring in Christian Ministries with a concentration in Youth Ministry at Messiah College. Kristina grew up in Grottoes, Virginia, and is still actively involved with her home congregation, Mt. Olive Brethren Church. Her interest in peace and justice has been fostered by the Anabaptist heritage of Messiah. Following graduation from Messiah, Kristina intends to serve God by serving others in some form of practical ministry. In her free time, Kristina enjoys writing, cooking, and hanging out with friends.
Rob Tucker
The Jesus Contradiction: Why people like him, but dislike Christians
The church is shrinking among younger generations! One of the reasons
seems to be a cultural disdain toward Christians. Why our evangelistic
efforts are outdated and what we need to do to change them.
Rob Tucker, a youth ministry veteran, is the youth and young adult leader at Living Word Community Church in York, PA. His passion is trying to find innovative ways to help people see the brilliance of Jesus Christ. He is married and has three children, and is disappointed because his 6 year old son is finally beating him in video games.
