Workshop Track A - 10:45 am - 12:15 pm

1.  The Power and Importance of Presence, Consistency, and Predictability

Stemming from the Biblical mandate Jesus assigned to His disciples, to “make disciples,” this mandate is an essential function of the believer. What does discipleship look like in the urban context for the urban youth worker? How does mentoring take form among youth who have no experience in the institutional church? This workshop will communicate the theory of mentorship among urban youth and some practices that would be helpful within the urban context.

2. Storytelling for Sustainability: Funding Your Ministry

With many urban youth workers being classified as multi-vocational, we understand the financial challenges that could prevent the freedom to dream in their ministries and the potential burnout this could cause to the urban youth worker. In this workshop we look to equip youth workers with the proper tools to develop and/or enhance their storytelling skills, that could greatly enhance the fundraising aspects for their ministry and sustainability.

3. Their Turf, Their Terms: Relationally Engaging Youth Culture

Understanding and engaging youth culture. Culture is a powerful communicator of values. Each generation migrates from one culture to the next, all the while being influenced by the various value systems they encounter. This may be through music, language, entertainment, etc. Many churches have paid little attention to this reality and have almost lost an entire generation. Learn how culture works, how to respect and engage in it. Learn how to meet individuals where they are, talk their language, and how to help youth create a counterculture.

4. Go Ye into the Digitalverse: Evangelism in the Digital Space

The Great Commission is the sending of Jesus’ followers into the world to spread the Good News. 95% of Genz owns a mobile device and are connected on social media. Given the growing and prominent digital landscape as a place youth and young people are this workshop would offer the missional heart and tips to utilize social media channels to evangelize the digital natives. Whether it is creating Instagram Reels, participating in online forums, or writing online articles, learn how to leverage the “Digital-Verse” to connect the most connected generation to God’s story of redemption.

5. Family Matters: Parental Engagement & Healthy Boundaries in Youth Ministry

In the mentoring realm, youth are more likely to benefit if their mentors maintain frequent contact with them and know their families. Studies demonstrate that youth excel, in comparison to their peers, when their parents and caregivers are involved and connected with their mentors. This workshop will equip those working with young people the proper tools and strategies to engage parents properly within your youth programming for better effectiveness towards program goals and outcomes, while maintaining healthy and important boundaries. 

6. The Bar Exam: Finding Your Lyrical Prowess

Are you a rapper looking for a push in the right direction? Do you want to be? Well, you came to the right place!

The Bar Exam! In this workshop you will learn all about how to find your lyrical niche. You will learn how to structure a rap song in a way that fits the style that you choose to approach. That includes bar placement, finding your cadence, how to write set ups, and of course how to form a punchline. This workshop is for those who are new to this and true to this, where you’ll learn from our experiences, create, and receive constructive feedback. The bar has been set.

 

Workshop Track B - 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

1. Come Correct: Authentic Cultural Navigation in Meeting Urban Youth Where They Are

“Come correct,” is an invitational statement, that prior to engaging with an individual, you understand their expectations. As a youth worker, working with young people in the urban context, there may be some cultural nuances, that if not known, may hinder our effectiveness even before we start our approach. Youth workers must understand and navigate through these to meet young people where they are with the Gospel. Like a missionary overseas, it is our responsibility to do our due diligence in understanding their given locality and the systems involved, to properly contextualize the Gospel message to the listener; the Gospel message does not change, but it is very adaptable to each culture it engages. In its proper context, evangelism must be closely aligned with discipleship, with an emphasis on enculturation. This workshop is about understanding the urban context, providing tips to navigate through cultural nuances, and highlights incarnational ministry models as a vehicle for change.

2. Culivating Wellness for Youth and Youth Leaders Journeying Mental Health

In supporting youth with mental health challenges, it's crucial to differentiate between behavioral issues like "malas mañas" and genuine mental health concerns. "Malas mañas" often refer to bad habits or misconduct, while mental health issues involve complex psychological struggles such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, which are prevalent among young people. As a youth minister, your role includes providing a safe space, offering support, and knowing your boundaries when addressing mental health concerns. Prioritizing self-care for the youth minister is essential in addition to understanding mental health challenges and supporting young people. This workshop aims to equip you with practical strategies to fulfill these responsibilities effectively while also ensuring your own well-being through self-care practices.

3. Youth Ministry 101

What are the basics of youth ministry? EYLI believes that relationships are the concrete location of God’s presence between us. Programs and youth church services are important. However, the incarnation is about God meeting us where we are and healthy relationships model the incarnation. Learn how you can help young people be what God created them to be, and be formed in the process.

4. Survival of the Musical Artist: Tips & Strategies to Help Indies Succeed

Vocation, or the doing of what God is calling you to, first begins with who you are. This sense of identity then informs you of what you do. This will then enable you to explore your call to ministry with a particular focus on music and/or media. This workshop will provide you with more than a guide; but a service of a love for the independent artist, business owner, and those venturing into the world who are sharing their creations. This workshop will provide you with a base on which to explore your vocation in music, using your interests and gifts in music and media. This will be an engaging workshop with facilitators who are living out their calling in these industries, sharing lessons learned and insights that have seen many artists not just survive but thrive.

5. Expressive Arts to God's Heart: Leveraging Mosaics as a Form of Prayer and Worship

Get your apron and tiles ready for this immersive mosaic workshop. Experience this expressive medium of visual arts with Rosie as she shares her knowledge in the arts that allows her to couple her spiritual discipline practices such as prayer and worship, through this tool to connect with God. Learn how to leverage mosaics so young people would have outlets of expression and could utilize this tool as forms of worship in your context. 
 

6. Know Yourself: Developing Identify & Self-Sufficiency as an Independent Artist

In the internet era, thousands of Christian independent artists are, for lack of a better term, "competing" for playlist placements, lucrative record deals, major concert/tour appearances and greater recognition amongst hip-hop's most recognizable acts in the Christian & secular realm. With many artists "painting with similar brushes" in terms using social media to expose their ministries to the world. How does one create an impactful career as an artist that's unique and powerful enough to establish a "game-changing" legacy as an independent artist in every musical marketplace? CONQUEST attempts to answer those questions with unique strategies and perspectives, as well as address the questions and concerns of his audience with potential practical & biblical solutions.