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Youth Ministry Training Options

March 4, 2013 by 6 Comments


This last weekend I had the incredible privilege of speaking to youth workers in Chicago at YSPalooza. Almost 800 amazing leaders–volunteers and paid church staff leaders. It was a great 2 days. See photos below:

If you’re looking for training options this year… here are 4 that may be near you. Click on each for details:

1. YSPalooza (multiple dates)

2. The YS Unconference (13 locations)

3. FAM Conference (May 16-18)

4. National Youth Workers Convention (Oct. 4-6 San Diego & Nov. 22-24 Nashville)

YSP Chicago
YSP Chicago 2


Question: What is that you’re most looking for in training events? Would value your feedback here.




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  • http://twitter.com/revkev73 Kevin Downey

    Doug, Doug, Doug… You missed Orange Conference. That’s a great conference resource for youth ministry. http://www.whatisorange.org/orangeconference/

    • dougfields

      Absolutely! It’s a great one! I’m actually speaking there… df

  • James Watson

    This is not a criticism; only an observation. Why are there no training opportunities in Northern California? I don’t mind traveling to San Diego for the NYWC myself but it’s not realistic to take my whole leadership team. It would be great to have a YSPalooza in San Francisco or Sacramento. I know that Golden Hill Church (Brentwood) hosts Planet Wisdom; maybe they’d also host an Un-Conference. Just a thought because we’re desperate up here!

    • http://twitter.com/MarkMatlock Mark Matlock

      Hi James, There are many issues related to where we do events many have to do with availability and cost of facilities (to keep hotels and convention fees reasonable as possible).

      You’ll be happy to know that NYWC will most likely be in Northern California in 2014. Also, We tried getting a host for an UnConference in Northern California, but nothing worked out.

      • James Watson

        Thanks for responding Mark. I know that it’s a tough job trying to do events all over the country. I’m not one of those people who points things out without offering to help. I’m part of a close knit network of youth pastors in Livermore, CA (Pretty Centrally located in the Bay Area). We talk about this often and would love to help in any way we can. I’d volunteer my church but we only seat about 350 in our main auditorium. In my network, we also have a church that seats 800. Then there is also the mega-church that seats several thousand. I think this area would be perfect since we’re less than an hour from SF; less than 2 hours from Sacramento, and about 2 hours from Fresno. It’s wine country so there’s no shortage of hotels. I just ask that you keep us in mind when planning future events. I would personally call every youth pastor in the bay area and invite them if you all came out here. I really want to see something around here and I’m willing to help.

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