2012 Student Leaders Track

Unless noted otherwise, all workshops are offered during both morning and afternoon sessions.

An Honest Look Within

Witnessing to others isn't always easy, especially when you are struggling in your own walk. Is it possible that God uses every moment in our lives, both good and bad, to glorify him? Taking an honest look at your life will help you understand where you are and where God wants you to be.

Matt Emerson is a Junior Christian Ministries major at Messiah and a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team. Matt is from Olney, Maryland and grew up attending Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church.

Eight Days Later

"Because it's the right thing to do" -- We've all been given that reason at one point or another.  But is the fact that someone said it's the right thing to do a good reason to follow Jesus? In this seminar we'll look at Jesus' resurrection and his appearance to Thomas and explore why it's so important for each of us to wrestle with what we believe and why we believe it. 

Emily Bingham recently graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a major in Christianity and Society. She spent her last semester in Scotland, studying theology at the University of St Andrews and deepening her appreciation of fish and chips, bagpipes, and rainy days. Stateside, Emily is a huge fan of Neato Burrito and the Green Bay Packers.

Guys, Gals, and God

This seminar will be focused on the metaphor, "God the Father," and some of the masculine traits of God. Whether you are male or female, come discuss His power, strength, how He protects us, how He provides for us, and what we can learn from His commonly less discussed masculine traits. Guys- come discover what it means to be a man of God. Gals- come learn what to look for in a Godly man.

Jon Edwards is a graduate of Messiah College and now serves as the youth pastor at LifePoint Church in Harrisburg. His interests include: hot wings; his dog, Disco Biscuit; anything with a motor; his wife, Katie; and his church.

We're All in This Together

Paul spent quite a lot of energy describing the idea of the Body of Christ.  But what did he mean by that? What does that look like? This seminar will explore the importance of accountability and vulnerability in our ministries.

Megan Krusemark is a Senior Youth Ministry major at Messiah College with a minor in Counseling.  Her hobbies include hanging out with friends, singing in the shower, and eating lots of applesauce.  She is excited to graduate in May and see where the Lord takes her.

Why choose?  Choose both?

Is anyone else disturbed by the two grilled cheese sandwiches that create the bun for the burger at Friendly's?  How did that come to be?  Can't choose between the grilled cheese meal or the burger and fries?  Smash 'um together and...BAM....you have both!   We live in a world that tells us we don't need to make a choice because we have can do it all, have it all, and be it all.   But what if that isn't true, what if doing it all isn't what Jesus meant when he said we can have life and have it to the fullest? In this seminar we will explore how to make hard decisions when we have lost the daily art of doing so.

Lisa McCaffrey is the youth pastor at First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg PA and has served in her position for the past two years.  Lisa is originally from Buffalo, NY and relocated to Pennsylvania after graduating from Messiah College with a BA in Youth Ministry.  

You!

Heroes. Heroes are the people we look up to and hope to become, and so we model ourselves after them. But if you are going to be the best witness you can be, you need to stop trying to be someone else and be YOU! Who are you, where have you been, and what are you about? Come and learn more about how your own identity can offer your biggest tools in ministry that God has given you: your passions, your talents, your testimony, your hobbies, and so much more!

Matthew James Deans is a senior Christian ministry major with a youth ministry concentration at Messiah College. Deans serves at Messiah as the preaching chaplain and as a resident assistant in Bittner Residence. He spends his spare time snowboarding, playing guitar, hanging out with Tony Horton, or drinking coffee with a side of bacon.