Something's missing

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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).

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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.

In 2008, I made the jump from attendee to volunteer. I was in a place in my ministry where I felt that it was time to give back. I had learned so much. God had blessed our ministry. For the first time I was tapping behind the veil to serve the youth workers. For the next 10 years, I served as a volunteer working with the Seminar Team, the Big Room Team, and the HUB Team. In 2019, my wife and I joined the staff as contract employee to lead the Host Team. All total, that's 20 years of participating in one of the most impactful youth ministry events I've ever been blessed to be a part of.

​But something's missing. Today would be a day of packing and getting ready. I should be wrapping up ministry in the office. I should be confirming flights, rental, and hotel room. I should praying for the thousands of youth workers I would have contact with over the next weekend. But I'm not.

It still feels a little weird, like something is missing. 2019 was the last NYWC. Like many things, NYWC was canceled during Covid. Unfortunately, it has yet to return. Now what this is not, is a gripe about the absence of NYWC. What it is, is me taking a moment to remember the significance that NYWC has had on my personal spiritual walk, my marriage and family, and my ministry. ​

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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

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Meet Jay...

Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 30 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay has been married to Amy for 27 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, vlogger, and social media junkie. He is also the host of the podcast, Conversations with Every Day Youth Workers! Jay is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and connecting and networking with youth workers to help them serve their students with passion and excellence.

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