2013 Student Leaders Track

That’s What Makes You Beautiful:
     One Direction to Practical Student Leadership

So, a new kid walks into youth group…QUICK! WHAT DO YOU DO?!? This seminar will explore one of the many directions to take towards valuable student leadership. We will have a chance to look at different characteristics and options for a great student leader to implement. From welcome tactics, to a “Call Me Maybe” mentality, to follow-up tips, we will dive into what it practically looks like to be an effective student leader in your youth group and why this role is so important!

Sammy Bradley is a full-time Youth Director at Calvary UMC in Fayetteville, PA and is a full-time student in Messiah College's Graduate Program to earn a Masters degree in Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

PUNCH You in the Face THEOLOGY:

    How to Have Confidence in Christ...

    ...to Answer Today’s Culture, Your Neighbor

If today's culture is right, everyone is going to Heaven BUT if Jesus is who he says he is, than a lot of people are going to get a PUNCH in the face laced with Truth and Reality after death.  You and Truth are under attack.  Tired of being run over by aggressive "non-believers" and/or tired of not knowing how to answer a question by someone seeking Truth?  The point is not to win the debate or fight but to win the soul! 

Mike Burns is a youth pastor at Brookside Ministries Church in Shamokin Dam, PA.  He serves as a regional consultant, speaker and youth advocate through www.burendbyGod.com.  Michael is a certified SCM Instructor and Drug and Alcohol Counselor with PA Treatment and Healing.  For fun he coaches lacrosse at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA.  Michael graduated from Whittier College in Whittier, California with a degree in Child Development and Psychology.  He is obtaining his Masters through Liberty Baptist Theology Seminary in Lynchburg, PA.  He, his wife Lauri and their daughter Addison live in Sunbury, PA. 

Moving On, Stepping Up

What does it take to be a faithful leader on a freshman hall? Great question- we hope to provide a great answer while also addressing the fears and obstacles that stand in the way of a smooth transition into college.

Alison French is a senior Social Work major while Logan Singerman and Josh Matthews are both seniors majoring in Christian Ministries. They have served in various leadership positions throughout their time at Messiah and all passed kindergarten with flying colors.

Taking Pride in Your Story:

        Living Interesting, Exciting, and Memorable Lives

 In this seminar we will explore the desire we all have to live an interesting, exciting, and memorable story.  No one wants to tell their story and have it be boring, on the contrary, they want people to be on the edge of their seats and learn something awesome from our story.  However, there is a positive side and a negative side to each of the three characteristics.  Our goal is to learn how to live a story that is interesting, exciting, memorable, and something that we can be proud to tell.

Aaron Reynolds is a senior Psychology/Biblical Religious Studies Major at Messiah College and Associate Youth Minister at Camp Hill United Methodist Church.

You Don’t Brush My Teeth!  

From the moment our tiny, wailing, baby selves enter this world, we are shaped and influenced by those in our families. You share a room with your annoying brother. You try on make-up to look like your sister. At one point, you even need your parents to brush your teeth! How can we acknowledge the presence of our familial influences without letting them control our identities entirely? Every family dynamic is different, and we'll take a look at where you fit within (and without) yours.

Cody Sherry graduated from Messiah College last year and is now working full time with Salt 'n Light Youth Ministry as their Director of Relational Ministry and Social Media.  His passions consist of talking to teenagers, making music, and taking people to Chick-Fil-A who have never been there before, thus fulfilling all of their wildest dreams.  Fortunately, he gets to combine all of these passions into one by working in youth ministry!  The coolest thing he’s ever done is sleep under the stars on a mountaintop in Uganda, Africa. 

Out of the Ashes 

What happens when things don't work out the way we desire in ministry? What happens when bad things occur when serving the Lord? This seminar will include hearing a first-hand story about how serving Jesus can be difficult, and include much pain and suffering. And it will look at how to overcome the tough times and moments in ministry and how God will bless us and the ministry through it. 

Kristopher Sledge is a senior Christian ministry major at Messiah College. He is a senior resident assistant in Miller and Fry Residences. His hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, meeting new people, stamping his passport around the world, and drinking coffee. Kris looks forward to graduating in May and following where the Lord leads him.