Youth Ministry Academy 2019: Full Schedule

The Youth Ministry Academy is a three-day event to train and equip those who love ministering to youth, both paid professional youth ministers and those who do it for heavenly rewards. The Academy provides excellent training in an intimate environment. The Academy provides learning that leads to transformation, and wants to live at the crossroads between theology and practice.

At the Youth Ministry Academy, you will not only be challenged by great speakers but have the opportunity to think through practical implications for your ministry. You can reconnect with God through worship and be encouraged by a community of folks who understand your love for teenagers.

3:30pm EST

Welcoming Session and Keynote – Whole Person/Youth Professional

Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush is our keynote speaker for the event. Matt Vaughan will share and opening message during this first keynote. Worship and arts are led by Blaine and Christina Russell.

Speakers

Blaine Russell

Director of Music, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Christina Russell

Director of Youth Ministries and Children’s Music Director, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Michelle Thomas-Bush

Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families, Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Michelle Thomas-Bush is the keynoter for YMA in Montreat. Michelle accompanies the youth of Myers Park Presbyterian Church and their families through the joyous and turbulent waters of adolescence, staying up late and waking up early to do ministry. She serves as associate pastor... Read More →

Matt Vaughan

YMA Conference Director and YMIM Director, Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

Matt Vaughan loves college basketball, mountaintops, and fresh-baked cookies. He served in youth ministry at four churches in the Kansas City area for over 20 years and leads Youth Ministry Institute Midwest as its director and framer. Matt and Amy have been married for 20 years... Read More →

Thursday January 24, 2019 3:30pm - 5:00pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Keynote

5:00pm EST

Cohort Gathering #1

Thursday January 24, 2019 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Cohort Gathering

6:00pm EST

Exhibit Area Open

Our exhibitors include:

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry
City Service Mission
Montreat Conference Center
Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association
Union Presbyterian Seminary
Youth Ministry Institute Midwest (conference host)
Youth Ministry Institute (co-host, with location in Florida)
Youth Mission Co

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

Michelle Thomas-Bush founded Big Ideas in Youth Ministry. She will share information in the exhibit center.

City Service Mission

Don Ballard will share information about City Service Mission in the exhibit center.

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Core Team Member, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen will share information about Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association as an exhibitor.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Youth Ministry Institute

Youth Ministry Institute is a nonprofit organization with locations in the Midwest and Florida. YMI specializes in youth ministry training, coaching, and consulting support for local churches. Steve Schneeberger will have information in the exhibit center.

Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

The faculty at Youth Ministry Institute Midwest (YMIM) is leading the YMA conference in Montreat! Contact Matt Vaughan, director, for information on church consulting, staff coaching, and youth ministry training. YMIM is based in the Midwest and also provides support to Montreat and... Read More →

Youth Mission Co.

Bill Buchanan will share information about Youth Mission Co. in the exhibit center.

Thursday January 24, 2019 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Exhibit Area

Exhibits

6:00pm EST

Dinner

Thursday January 24, 2019 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Dining Hall Assembly Inn

Meal

7:00pm EST

Worship – Relationship with God

In this first worship session, Rev. Corey Jones will preach about being Wholly Focused in our relationship with God. Music and arts will be led by Blaine and Christina Russell. The scripture passage for this session is Luke 15:11-20.

Speakers

Corey Jones

Executive Pastor, St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Rev. Corey Jones has a background in children’s, outreach, camping, and pastoral ministries, serving in different capacities since 2000. After graduating from Florida Southern College with a degree in Sociology, he continued his work with First UMC, Lakeland as the Associate Director... Read More →

Blaine Russell

Director of Music, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Christina Russell

Director of Youth Ministries and Children’s Music Director, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Thursday January 24, 2019 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Worship

8:30pm EST

Dessert Hosted by Montreat Conference Center and Union Presbyterian Seminary

Susie Burns from Montreat and Lisa McClennan from Union Presbyterian Seminary are hosting a dessert for all conference attendees in Assembly Inn. Yum!

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Thursday January 24, 2019 8:30pm - 10:30pm EST
Montreat & Black Mountain, NC

Recreation

8:00am EST

Breakfast

Friday January 25, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Dining Hall Assembly Inn

Meal

9:00am EST

Keynote – Whole Youth

Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush is our keynote speaker for the event. Worship and arts are led by Blaine and Christina Russell.

Speakers

Christina Russell

Director of Youth Ministries and Children’s Music Director, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Blaine Russell

Director of Music, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Michelle Thomas-Bush

Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families, Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Friday January 25, 2019 9:00am - 10:30am EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Keynote

10:15am EST

Exhibit Area Open

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

Michelle Thomas-Bush founded Big Ideas in Youth Ministry. She will share information in the exhibit center.

City Service Mission

Don Ballard will share information about City Service Mission in the exhibit center.

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Core Team Member, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen will share information about Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association as an exhibitor.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Youth Ministry Institute

Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

Youth Mission Co.

Bill Buchanan will share information about Youth Mission Co. in the exhibit center.

Friday January 25, 2019 10:15am - 10:45am EST
Exhibit Area

Exhibits

10:45am EST

Workshop - Sorcery and Mirrors with Families (Engaging Parents in Ministry).

Emily Nelson Dixon will present an amazing session on conjuring interest among parents and families in your ministry. This isn't magic... it isn't an illusion... it isn't wizardry... how does one master this mystical ability? Find Emily as she dons her expert apparel and dispels the legend of partnering with families in your congregation.

Speakers

Emily Nelson Dixon

Director of Youth and Outreach, Salem Lutheran Church

Emily Nelson Dixon has been doing vocational youth ministry for 16 years. She discerned her call to while receiving a certificate from Columbia Seminary in youth ministry. Emily loves to collaborate with other youth workers, and believes learning from each other makes everyone better! She is happy to serve the church by helping coach youth ministry professionals. She is married and has two adorable daughters. Emily is a developmental... Read More →

Friday January 25, 2019 10:45am - 11:45am EST
Lower Left Bank

Workshop

10:45am EST

Workshop – Developing Healthy Servant Leaders.

Leaders are not necessarily born. They are made. Made carefully to be effective at strategy, analysis, operational tactics, and managing resources effectively. Those kinds of skills (and others) make a leader a leader. Leaders in the church have a slightly different path to formation. They are both born and made into leaders. Born of Christ for the purpose of serving others and made effective by the Spirit to endure trials and tribulations. Our pastoral role is to join God in His work to develop a person of faith into a servant leader.

Speakers

Don Ballard

CEO/President, City Service Mission

Since 1996, Don has served in Christian leadership positions with congregations, non profits, hospital systems, and universities/seminaries. His passion is to not only lead well, but to help others learn to lead more effectively by leaning into their calling and vocational ambitions... Read More →

Friday January 25, 2019 10:45am - 11:45am EST
Room 218 Assembly Hall

Workshop

10:45am EST

Workshop – Including All of God's Children in Ministry

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Including All of God's Children in Ministry
Using a person-centered approach, we will explore how youth groups can be a support for those with special needs, including the autism spectrum. The workshop will demonstrate strategies to bring youth of all abilities into the fold, and help them be an integral part of the group, as we are called to do by Scripture.

Speakers

Katie Sternhagen

Core Team, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen is a workshop leader at the YMA Conference. She also serves as a Core Team leader for Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association. Information is available in the exhibit center.

Friday January 25, 2019 10:45am - 11:45am EST
Room 251 Assembly Hall

Workshop

12:00pm EST

Lunch

Friday January 25, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Dining Hall Assembly Inn

Meal

12:30pm EST

Exhibit Area Open

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

Michelle Thomas-Bush founded Big Ideas in Youth Ministry. She will share information in the exhibit center.

City Service Mission

Don Ballard will share information about City Service Mission in the exhibit center.

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Core Team Member, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen will share information about Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association as an exhibitor.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Youth Ministry Institute

Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

Youth Mission Co.

Bill Buchanan will share information about Youth Mission Co. in the exhibit center.

Friday January 25, 2019 12:30pm - 1:15pm EST
Exhibit Area

Exhibits

1:15pm EST

Keynote – Whole Program/Church

Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush is our keynote speaker for the event. Worship and arts are led by Blaine and Christina Russell.

Speakers

Christina Russell

Director of Youth Ministries and Children’s Music Director, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Blaine Russell

Director of Music, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Michelle Thomas-Bush

Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families, Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Friday January 25, 2019 1:15pm - 2:30pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Keynote

2:45pm EST

Cohort Gathering #2

Friday January 25, 2019 2:45pm - 4:00pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Cohort Gathering

4:15pm EST

Workshop - An Intergenerational Approach to Youth Ministry Leadership

It Takes a Village - An Intergenerational Approach to Youth Ministry Leadership
Young people need all types of adults in their lives, and the more adults engaged in the congregation’s ministry to youth, the healthier the congregation and the youth program. This workshop offers a direct response to church members who say, “I’m too old to be a youth leader,” or “The kids want younger, cooler leaders.” Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to explore the blessings of developing and growing youth leaders of all ages - in any size congregation.

Speakers

Nancy Hodgkins

Associate Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Nancy Hodgkins serves as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Mission at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio. She is passionate about youth ministry, faith development for people of all ages, and the privilege of witnessing the Spirit blow in new and exciting ways in the... Read More →

Friday January 25, 2019 4:15pm - 5:15pm EST
Room 218 Assembly Hall

Workshop

4:15pm EST

Workshop - Helping Youth Over Developmental Hurdles

Helping Youth Over Developmental Hurdles
Society constructed adolescence over the last 125 years. We are just beginning to understand the full implications of human development and the pace at which one develops into a functional adult. In this workshop, youth ministers will be able to overlay several different developmental theories on top of one another so that they may construct ministries that help youth over critical developmental hurdles.

Speakers

Steve Schneeberger

Executive Director, Youth Ministry Institute

Steve Schneeberger is the Executive Director of the Youth Ministry Institute. Beginning in 1985, Steve began a vocation as a youth minister serving churches in Kansas and Florida. He is a 1981 graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kansas, has a business... Read More →

Friday January 25, 2019 4:15pm - 5:15pm EST
Room 251 Assembly Hall

Workshop

4:15pm EST

Workshop - Mission, Justice, and Bible Study with Youth

Mission, Justice, and Bible Study with Youth
Many of our youth ministries include elements of mission and service. Many of our youth ministries also include regular times of Bible study. But, how do we blend our beliefs about mission and justice INTO our regular Bible study with youth? Rev. Bill Buchanan, Executive Director of Youth Misson Co, will present concepts, pedagogy, and practices that will help youth leaders talk more deeply with youth about God's call throughout the Scriptures for justice and freedom for everyone.

Speakers

Bill Buchanan

Executive Director, Youth Mission Co

Bill is the Executive Director for Youth Mission Co. He is a Christian educator and an ordained minister. He grew up in Raleigh, NC and has worked in churches in Virginia and North Carolina, particularly focusing on ministry with youth and mission. Bill has been a leader in... Read More →

Friday January 25, 2019 4:15pm - 5:15pm EST
Lower Left Bank

Workshop

5:30pm EST

Dinner

Friday January 25, 2019 5:30pm - 6:45pm EST
Dining Hall Assembly Inn

Meal

6:30pm EST

Exhibit Area Open

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

Michelle Thomas-Bush founded Big Ideas in Youth Ministry. She will share information in the exhibit center.

City Service Mission

Don Ballard will share information about City Service Mission in the exhibit center.

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Core Team Member, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen will share information about Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association as an exhibitor.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Youth Ministry Institute

Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

Youth Mission Co.

Bill Buchanan will share information about Youth Mission Co. in the exhibit center.

Friday January 25, 2019 6:30pm - 7:00pm EST
Exhibit Area

Exhibits

7:00pm EST

Worship - Relationship with Self

In this second worship session, Rev. Corey Jones will preach about being Wholly Focused in our relationship with self. Music and arts will be led by Blaine and Christina Russell. The scripture passage for this session is Luke 15:17-21.

Speakers

Corey Jones

Executive Pastor, St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Blaine Russell

Director of Music, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Christina Russell

Director of Youth Ministries and Children’s Music Director, Fletcher United Methodist Church

Friday January 25, 2019 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Worship

8:30pm EST

Recreation

Friday January 25, 2019 8:30pm - 10:30pm EST
Montreat & Black Mountain, NC

Recreation

8:00am EST

Breakfast

Saturday January 26, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Dining Hall Assembly Inn

Meal

8:30am EST

Cohort Gathering #3

Saturday January 26, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am EST
Assembly Hall

Cohort Gathering

10:00am EST

Workshop - Keynote Highlights and Q&A

Our keynoter, Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush, will lead a Q&A forum about the topics shared in the keynote sessions of the conference. What tips do you seek about wholeness in your own life, in your youth ministry, and in your church? Come and share aspects of how you seek wholeness.

Speakers

Michelle Thomas-Bush

Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families, Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Saturday January 26, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Lower Left Bank

Workshop

10:00am EST

Workshop - Recruiting, Training and Nurturing Volunteers

One person can't do it all. Perhaps this is what Peter meant by the "Priesthood of all Believers." Empowering others to be in ministry to youth will be a dynamic way to reach a higher percentage of youth in your community. How do you ask others to participate? How do you keep them engaged once you have them? Kirsten will share wisdom about the benefits of sharing ministry with an invested group of volunteers.

Speakers

Kirsten Knox

Director, Youth Ministry Institute Florida

Kirsten serves as director for Youth Ministry Institute in Florida. She is a graduate of Asbury University and has served in multiple youth ministry positions since 2002. Kirsten most recently served at Pasadena Community Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Saturday January 26, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Room 218 Assembly Hall

Workshop

10:00am EST

Workshop - Sustaining Ministry for the Long Haul

Sustaining Ministry for the Long Haul
You are gifted! You were called to ministry to lead others, often at all hours of the day, night, and weekends. Are you practicing self-care? Are you including others in the ministry? Hear from two long-term youth ministry leaders about how they experience the highs and lows in ministry over many years.

Speakers

Zach Walker

Associate Pastor for Youth, Village Presbyterian Church

Saturday January 26, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Room 251 Assembly Hall

Workshop

10:30am EST

Exhibit Area Open

Sponsors - Exhibitors

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

Michelle Thomas-Bush founded Big Ideas in Youth Ministry. She will share information in the exhibit center.

City Service Mission

Don Ballard will share information about City Service Mission in the exhibit center.

Montreat Conference Center

Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Communications, Tanner Pickett

Tanner Pickett will share information about Montreat Conference Center as an exhibitor and partner.

Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Core Team Member, Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association

Katie Sternhagen will share information about Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association as an exhibitor.

Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lisa McLennan will share information about Union Presbyterian Seminary as an exhibitor.

Youth Ministry Institute

Youth Ministry Institute Midwest

Youth Mission Co.

Bill Buchanan will share information about Youth Mission Co. in the exhibit center.

Saturday January 26, 2019 10:30am - 11:00am EST
Exhibit Area

Exhibits

11:00am EST

Worship - Relationship with Others

In this third worship session, Rev. Corey Jones will preach about being Wholly Focused in our relationship with others. Music and arts will be led by Blaine and Christina Russell. The scripture passage for this session is Luke 15:22-32.

Speakers

Worship

12:00pm EST

Hugs! Thank you for joining us at The Academy!

Saturday January 26, 2019 12:00pm - 12:15pm EST
Upper Anderson Anderson Hall, Montreat NC

Recreation