Global Young People’s Convocation
GYPC supports Susquehanna Young People’s Ministry’s continued commitment to equip student leaders to make disciples. One of the goals of GYPC is to strengthen leadership skills of young people. Intentional leadership development will happen when student leaders attend workshops, share ministry stories from their contexts, and learn from their peers who come from different countries and cultures. Additionally, the Legislative Forum will place young people in small groups to discuss significant issues being faced by the church and the world. These small groups will produce legislation that will go directly to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Through this, our young people will lead the church.
This is the most extensive global gathering of United Methodist young people. It is a time for young people from different social, economic, cultural, political, and even theological backgrounds to come together to worship and form lasting relationships. The transformative power of these young leaders will be palpable not only during this event, but also when they return home to continue the work of the kingdom.
GYPC initiates students into the life of a global connection. Bringing together the voices of young people from around the world, these strong leaders will develop a global perspective of the United Methodsit Church. This global perspective will give them the experiences to understand how their discipleship journey extends beyond the walls of their local church and the boundaries of their school district, and will empower them to open the eyes of fellow disciples on the journey.
Left to right: Alexander Clark, First UMC, Mechanicsburg;
Hannah Carter, Christ Community UMC, Selinsgrove;
Christina McDermott, Northeastern Jursidiction GYPC Co-Chair
Foundations Youth Leader Training: Partnerships for Vitality
Partnerships produce excellence.
For thirty years Perkins School of Youth Ministry has been coordinating and leading specialized training programs exclusively designed to resource those in the church whose ministries focus on youth and young adults. Until now this training has been exclusively offered in Dallas, Texas. This August, with the support of Camp and Retreat Ministries, the Young People’s Ministry is bringing this training to Mt. Asbury Camp and Retreat Center in Newville, Pa.
Among many extraordinary opportunities for relationship development offered during the training, participants will have the option to have personal conversations with the senior editor of Youth Ministry Partners, a division of the UM Publishing House. Additionally, a panel discussion with members of the Connectional Ministries executive staff will provide opportunities for exploring new partnerships between the conference and participants’ congregations.
Along with a certificate of completion from Perkins School of Youth Ministry, participants will walk away from the training with a deeper understanding of the theology of youth ministry, practical tools to help grow a vital youth ministry in their local context, a challenge to continue to develop meaningful partnerships within the conference, and a commitment from Discipleship Ministries for two online follow up sessions in the ensuing year.
The Young People’s and Camp and Retreat Ministries desires to build deeper partnerships with youth leaders from around the conferences, so that we might continue to work together to explore new opportunities to grow young leaders.
Space for the event is limited to ensure that the trainers will be able to give personal attention to participants. Open registration begins May 19, 2018. The cost of the retreat, including meals and lodging, is $240. For more information about registration or the event, visit www.igniteyoungpeople.org.
Recalculating Rally recap
Teens have lots of different options for how to spend their Sunday afternoon. We as the Young People’s Ministry Council are grateful for the youth and leaders who choose to spend their time with us. From October to April, we got to worship, play, study, and serve with 162 students and 73 adult youth leaders from around our conference.The goal of our time with each other was to give young disciples a chance to grow their faith, think about faith for themselves, and explore their path with God. These comments from young disciples, written on their evaluations, lead us to believe that we accomplished our goals:
“God is asking me to focus on exploring my path, because I don’t know where I’m going. I want to figure out our future. One thing I will do differently is be a leader to those around me.”
“I think God is asking me to focus on thinking for myself and standing firm in God’s word. Even if it means being alone.”
“I feel as though I need to explore different ministries through the church to find where I am most called.”
“I think God is asking me to explore my path, because there are still bumps in the road that I think He can flatten.”
“I will believe in myself more, and talk to God more often.”
“God is asking me to focus on growing in my faith by giving more time to God and making Him my top and first priority.”
