Student Ministry Conference

As we warily stepped out of the sliding glass doors outside of baggage claim shocked by the bitter Chicago air, ladies shoving their hands in their pockets, and guys adjusting their baseball caps, we looked around at each other and laughed. If we’d ever seen each other before we’d all be good friends. Everyone was wearing jeans, tennis shoes, and a fleece, while the ladies were cute with highlighted hair and the men had either shaggy hair or no hair, but each man had some form of facial hair. Youth workers. We laughed to ourselves and bounced onto the airport shuttle. On our way to the conference hotel we shared where we were from: Minnesota, Nashville, Mississippi, Ohio… Kenya (uh, yeah, that was only me). Arriving at the hotel, after talking about how each of our youth groups would “love this kind of bus for the next winter retreat” (except mine, of course, we don’t really have winter ski trips in Kenya), we were greeting by volunteers, teachers, and pastors for youth pastors who literally yelled and cheered in welcome. This weekend’s youth workers conference was a new and exciting experience for me.

I (Amanda) went to the conference unaccompanied, but God is good and His beautiful Church is all over the world. I was not without friends. It is a truly beautiful thing when you can meet “strangers” who belong to the family of God and feel such kinship with them. It was warming and encouraging to talk with people with a similar passion for teenagers and children. And, as unique as our student ministry here in Kenya is, I have many common experiences with my American counterparts. We could all relate to those junior high boys who manage to break toilets and windows everywhere we take them.

My roommate at the conference, Karensa

There were sessions and activities planned each day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. And we youth workers wonder why we’re so tired all the time. I was able to attend sessions like Understanding Youth Culture, Speaking to Teenagers, Thriving as a Woman in Youth Ministry, Effective Small Groups, and Ministering from Rhythms of Grace. The conference theme was “Surprising Legacy.” We took part in worship experiences each evening where youth ministry legends (Doug Fields, Duffy Robbins, Jeanne Mayo, and more) reminded us that we are leaving a legacy with the youth God has put under our influence. They spoke to us about focusing on the important, being spiritually healthy, remembering and thanking the people in our lives who left their legacy in our lives. God spoke to my heart about many things over the past few days including strengthening my confidence in His call on my life to love teenagers in Kenya and encouraging me to live a life that at all times points to Jesus. One of the final things we final things we did together at the conference was to explore what we really want. What we really really really want. It is my desire and hope that I will, wherever I go and with whomever God surrounds me, bring Heaven to Earth; be the hands and feet of Jesus. Right now, for me, that looks like leading youth groups, directing summer camp, coaching cheerleading, organizing children’s church, but mostly simply loving on kids. And, friends, it is good.