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Since 1999, this week has been a special week. It would begin on Sunday evening. I would lead our Sunday night student ministry gathering, which was also our last youth gathering until Advent Sunday, and wish our students a 'Happy Thanksgiving.' I'd go home, rest and celebrate what God was doing with our students. Monday I would wake, head into the office, run through my To Do List, and clean things up in the office. Mid afternoon I would head home top finish packing and getting ready to go away.

It was the highlight of my year. I looked forward to it every year. It was a staple on my personal and ministry calendar. It was the same week every year. And I couldn't wait for it to arrive. It was the National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC).

From 1999 to 2007, I was an attendee. For 8 years I sat through workshops, seminars, general session speakers, intensives, breakouts, and roundtables. I walked the exhibit hall countless times.  I enjoyed the concerts and special activities provided. And I shopped the Convention store, browsing the abundance of resources made available.

Thousands of youth workers filled the various convention centers, hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants of the host city. There was a familiarity; a sense of homecoming as like-minded men and women gathered for a weekend of training, inspiration, challenge, worship, and fellowship. It was one of the greatest weeks of the year.

NYWC shaped so much of how I thought about ministry, family, and life. It taught me vital skills, practical helps, and important habits. I learned the importance of balance, connecting with other youth workers, and healthy spiritual discipleship. I learned how to connect with students, how to share the gospel with students, and how to show up when they needed it most. I learned youth ministry from youth workers. 

While on staff I was fortunate to meet and get to know some amazing youth workers. Through interactions with attendees I have hundreds of amazing stories. And I hope that my story and my ministry helped to encourage others I met. 

My wife and I were talking last week, and we noted how sad we are that we're not heading to NYWC this year. We really looked forward to that time away. 

Will NYWC ever return? I don't know. I would like to think that maybe, someday, we might have the opportunity to serve youth workers in that way again. But, I just don't know.

What I do know is that NYWC will forever be a special memory for the both of us. And we will always be grateful for our time attending and volunteering. As for the friendships that were made while serving, I know that they will continue to develop and grow for years to come. 

Here's the thing, whether or not NYWC returns, my hope is to highlight what these conferences mean for the youth worker. Over the last couple of years I've noticed a number of "mini" conferences popping up around the country. These conferences offer youth workers a time of training and challenge, fellowship and networking, and a chance to worship together. The smaller scale usually means a more intimate setting, a smaller price tag, and the opportunity to connect with youth workers in your region. 

I don't know if we've seen the last of the big conference, as there are still a few of the bigger conferences in operation. But I do like the idea of the "mini" conference. I am planning to attend a couple of these conferences in the new year, including the Northeast Youth Ministry Summit (February 2024), the Youth Leader Summit (May 2024), and the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (September 2024). 

Whether it's the big, national conference or the smaller, local conference, let me encourage you to seek out a conference that will allow you the opportunity for training and growth. ​

What has been your experience? Have you attended the larger conferences? What did you take away from your time of learning? Have you attended a smaller, more local conference? What were some of the major differences? What did you learn? And which will attend most like attend in the future? Share in the comments below.

​- jay

We're two months away for one of my most favorite and most necessary events for student ministry, the 2017 National Youth Workers Convention. It's time to start talking about the convention and what I'm looking forward to most!

One of the things that you have to know about me is that I am a huge supporter of the National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC), hosted by Youth Specialties. I attended my first convention in 1999. I had just accepted my first, full-time position as a Youth Director, for a church in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I had heard about NYWC, but hadn't yet had the opportunity to attend as I was just a kid getting started in student ministry.

The convention that year was held in two locations, the first on the west coast, the second in Cincinnati, OH. I attended the convention in Cincinnati.So I, along with my wife and our newborn son (Nate was our second son, by the way. Our first born who was already a year old stayed with some friends.) made our way to Cincinnati not sure what to expect, but excited nonetheless.

It didn't take me long to realize that NWYC was going to become a very important part of my ministry and my life. 18 years laters, NYWC is still an important part of both my ministry and my life.

Each year, as the convention approaches, I share a few things about the convention that I love, recommend, and look forward to the most. So in keeping with my tradition, let me share three things that I absolutely love about the National Youth Workers Convention.

I sat through my first Intensive in 2000. It was awesome. Then, I believe, the Intensives were 6 hours, and spanned two days. An extra fee, Intensives are designed to give attendees a long, deeper, more detailed look into various aspects of student ministry. Topics vary from year to year, but help to train up the youth worker by providing specific, helpful and practical information that really works when applied to your ministry. Led by experts, real youth workers with real experience, Intensives offer not just information, but the opportunities to ask questions, get help and really process the material so that it's something that you can use.

Over the years I have taken Intensives for worship and worship leader, culture, message prep and writing, and speaking/teaching. They have been some of the most important parts of understanding student ministry, youth culture and the role of the youth worker.

If you have not taken advantage of the NYWC Intensives, I would highly recommend that you consider registering for one of this years offerings.

Here is a quick list of topics and presenters for 2017...

• Building a Successful Marriage and Youth Ministry; Doug and Kathy Fields.
• Growing Young: Helping Young PeopleDiscover and Love Your Church; Kara Powell and Brad Griffin.
• LGBTQ Youth: Ministry Beneath the Surface, Julie Rodgers and Mark Yarhouse.
• Middle School Ministry; Sean Meade and Heather Flies.
• Taking Einstein to Youth Ministry: Faith, Science and the Faith Formation of Young People, Andy Root.
• The Racial Reconciliation Experience; Fred Oduyoye and Jacob Eckeberger.
• YS 101 Bootcamp: Core Training for Your Ministry; Kurt Johnston and Brian Aaby.

Rest is a good thing. It's a necessity. A biblical mandate. The problem is, youth workers don't rest enough. There is always something that needs to be completed, a student that needs to ministered to, and a technical issue with the VCR in one of the Sunday school classrooms. When all is said and done, we don't rest well, if we rest at all.

I loved Mike Yaconelli, co-founder of YS and NYWC. I never really had the opportunity to talk or know Mike, but every year at the first general session (now called Big Room) Mike would address and welcome the convention. It was the same speech every year. But it was one of the first times someone told me that it was okay to slow down, even stop and rest.

The convention is a placed filled with resources, exhibits, training opportunities, and possibilities for networking. But, NYWC is also a place to rest and be renewed. It's a place where you can choose to sleep in, go to bed early, or just sleep all day. It's a place to disconnect and relax, to do something fun, explore, or just be. NYWC, in wanting to give you access to some of the best resources, speakers, trainers, coaches, and entertainment, also cares about your spiritual well-being. You are encouraged to take a step back and evaluate your faith journey. We work all year to disciple and serve and teach and lead our students, too often at the cost of care for our own hearts, our own growth, our own relationship with our Savior. NYWC is a place where we can reconnect with the Lover of our souls.

NYWC offers youth workers an opportunity to visit the Sanctuary and Prayer Chapel to pray, sit, be quiet, and to be renewed. You can visit with one of a number of spiritual directors who are there to care for your soul. If you're married, NYWC is an opportunity for you and your spouse to enjoy some time alone. Take advantage of your hotel stay. Have a date night with dinner and explore a new city. Sit up late and watch a movie. Order room service and have breakfast in bed.

Rest. It's important. It's a necessity. It's good for you.

Sit in on any of the 90+ seminars and you will walk away with valuable information, tips, tools, and resources. But if you want some specific help in a particular area of ministry, you might want to consider taking one of the NYWC Tracks.

Tracks, like the Intensives, are designed to offer youth workers specific information on a given topic. These tracks are led by our youth experts who know and serve in the related areas. Go a little deeper. Ask questions. Hear practical, hands-on and effective tips that will help you in your ministry.

This year, NYWC is offering 3 Track topics;

• Small-Church Track; Brad Fiscus, Stephanie Caro and Virginia Ward.
• YS 101 Track; Les Christie, Brian Aaby, Duffy Robbins, and Sean Meade.
• Middle School Track; Sean Meade and Heather Flies.

Be sure to look these Tracks up in the schedule and think about how they might help you and your ministry.

Whether you are a long-time NYWC attendee or maybe thinking about attending for the first time, let me invite you to join us this November in Memphis, TN for the Nation Youth Workers Convention! Early-bird pricing ends on October 5th, 2017.

Visit the NYWC website today for more details and to register for the convention.

This year, I will be helping out as a volunteer, serving at the HUB. If you have any questions about the convention or needs while in Memphis come by and see us. If you found this article helpful, please stop by and introduce yourself to me, I'd love to meet you.

​If you have something you love and look forward to at NYWC, please share it in the comments below. What you love could be the very thing that someone else needs to hear to help them make the decision to join us this fall!

​- jay

It's Monday morning. Amy and I are home from our 2016 National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC) experience. NYWC is our annual pilgrimage to join with thousands of youth workers for training, encouragement, resourcing, connecting, and rest! This being my 14th NYWC, I can honestly say, it's still my most favorite ministry week of the year!

This morning I wanted to simply share the 2 highlight videos from the weekend. My hope is to give you just a little snapshot of the weekend, and how important it is that youth workers attend NYWC! I'm sure I'll share more about the convention later in the weeks to come, but for now, enjoy the 2 videos.

It really was an amazing weekend, and I am so honored to be able to be a part of the YS/NYWC staff.

​- jay

One of the great things about NYWC is the Exhibit Hall! Packed with over 150 vendors, it really is one of the best place to find great resources and tools! But the weekend is already flying by. I mean, it's already Saturday. So with time running out, here are three of my favorite exhibitors!

Youth Ministry 360 (YM360)...
Les and Andy, co-founders of YM360, have created an incredible line of resources for youth workers. What started as bible studies and curriculum has grown to include camps, conferences, missions, trainings, and much, much more. YM360 provides biblically solid materials that are easy to use and easy to teach. I've used their materials multiple times in different settings and found great success. Be sure to stop by their booth and check out the incredible selection of tools and resources.

Download Youth Ministry...
At this point, I'm sure you've heard about Download Youth Ministry (DYM). Started but Doug Fields and Josh Griffin, DYM provides affordable resources that have been created by youth workers. Whether you need a game or a study or a series, DYM offers High Quality, Easy to Use, Inexpensive, Trench-tested. I've been using the DYM resources for about a year now, and I love that they are quick to access, download and use. I don't have to really worry about content, typos or formatting uses.

The Youth Specialties Event Booth...
Did you know that NYWC is only one small part of the YS family of events? In fact, YS is part of a much large family. Real Resources, "a Christ-centered, multi-denominational 501(c)3 nonprofit. Founded upon the belief that teens are a vital part of the Church today, and God has uniquely equipped them to live out His love in the world" (as per the Real Resources website). Along with NYWC, YS sponsors Planet Wisdom, a student event designed to "empower students to become thinking, growing, authentic followers of Jesus Christ in today’s world." (as per the Planet Wisdom website). But there is also YS Team Training, the YS Coaching, YS Search, and the YS Job Bank. Stop by the YS Booth and discover just how big, and how helpful the YS tent is.

There you are, three of my favorites. Not the only three, but the three I have time to share. Hopefully after the convention I will be able to share a few more great resources with you. Till then, have a great convention!

​- jay

Whether you are a rookie or a veteran, every visit to NYWC comes with questions. From finding a cheap, but delicious place to eat, to I've just had a really tough year where can I find some help, we're going to do our best to help you out!

In todays post, I want to take a quick minute to share 3 places where you can find help while at NYWC this weekend.

Stop number one brings us to the HUB. Here is where you can ask just about any question. Mind you, the answer you get might not resemble the question, but at least it's an answer. Just kidding! My friends serving at the HUB are well versed in all things NYWC. Questions about seminars, Big Rooms, places to eat, and even logistical questions, the HUB can point you in the right direction!

The HUB is located on the first floor of the Duke Energy Convention Center at the main entrance. You almost can't miss them as they are almost the first thing you see when entering.

New to NYWC, the Queen City Host Team! This is a team of volunteers made up by local youth workers on the ground right here in Cincinnati! And these guys know there stuff! If you have questions about Cincinnati like, awesome local eateries, or I have about 5 hours to kill, what's something awesome I can do here in the city, they can definitely help you out! In fact, prior to the convention, these guys got together and made a short video with a list of great things to do while in Cincinnati this weekend! Check it out here just below.

You'll find the Queen City Host Team on the second floor of the Duke Energy Convention Center right above the HUB!

Lastly we come to the YS Coaching area. What is coaching? Think of it as a sit down conversation with a good friend and a cup of coffee, but your friend is an experienced and training student ministry coach and they want to help you be awesome! Has it been a tough year? Are you feeling like you're not get anywhere? Is there a change in your future? Are you wondering if youth ministry is for you? I'm about to make a major programmatic change, what's the best way to do it? Hey, I'm not sure if the brown shoes goes with this black belt, what do you think?

The YS Coaches are here and are ready to meet with you! You can schedule a FREE, 40 minute session with them by going to their table and singing up for an opening. But be warned, coaching sessions fill up quick, so if you're thinking you might want to talk with someone, sign up sooner than later!

You'll find the YS Coaches next to the HUB on the first floor of the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Okay, there you have it, 3 places to find some quick help where here in Cincinnati!

And of course, when you're in a pinch, you can also ask anyone of the NYWC staff. You'll know us because we all wear the same color shirts that have STAFF printed on the back! We would love to help you in anyway we can!

Have a great day, here at NYWC, Cincinnati!!!

- jay