Workshop Track A - 10:40 am - 12:10 pm

1. Storytelling for Sustainability: Funding Your Ministry 

With Christine Nieves

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.

2. Raising Disciples: Practical Ways to Help Parents Transmit Their Faith to Youth

With Pastor Jonathan Olavarria

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.

 

3. Testify: Evangelism Strategies for the Urban Context

With Noel Camacho

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 minister? How does evangelism take form among youth who have no experience with the institutional church? This workshop will communicate the theory of evangelism among urban youth and some practices that would be helpful within an urban environment.

4. Go Ye into the Digitalverse: The Church in the Digital Space

With DJ Wade-O

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, writing online articles, or creating an online ministry presence, learn how to leverage the “Digital-Verse” to connect the most connected generation to God’s story of redemption.

5. Music as Vocation: How to Create Impactful Songs That Resonate

With Jxhn Pvul

You sense a calling to make music? Unlock your musical potential with the expertise and guidance from Jxhn Pvul, a Billboard charting and Gold Plaque winning engineer and artist. This unique opportunity allows you to learn the intricacies of mixing and mastering, ensuring your next hit record reaches its full potential. Elevate your sound and gain invaluable insights from a seasoned professional dedicated to helping you succeed in the music industry. What are you waiting for?

6. The Bar Exam: Finding Your Lyrical Prowess

With Q-Flo and Prodi da Prodigal

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.

7. A Holistic Approach to Youth Ministry for Church Leaders

With Rev. Ruben Ortiz

This workshop is designed to equip pastors and church leaders with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively support and enhance youth ministries within their congregations. Recognizing the pivotal role that youth play in the life of the church, this course aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between pastoral leadership and youth engagement, fostering a holistic approach to ministry that nurtures spiritual growth, community involvement, and personal development among young members.

 

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

1. Getting Off the Porch: A Faith that Walks

With Anthony “A-Ram” Ramos

Getting off the porch is a call to the Christian Church to engage at the concrete level. We can pray for change, or we can pray in faith (with works); for faith without works doesn't have life. We are engaging our young people with a faith that is tangible. It begins with concrete actions on the street (where they live), then we gather to pray, reflect, and learn about their faith in action to then return again to faith in action. 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. Storiez: Trauma Narratives with Urban Youth

With Dr. Meagan Corrado

This training begins with an introduction to trauma (defining trauma, exploring trauma exposure and urban youth, and considering the consequences of trauma exposure). It then explores trauma treatment for youth (best practices, treatment modalities, common factors, and trauma narratives). Finally, the DIY Storiez intervention is presented using didactic material, video content, and participatory activities. Storiez is a 9-step framework to assist urban youth as they create, voice, and honor their life narratives. The DIY Storiez intervention is an adapted version of the full trauma narrative process. It supports trauma survivors in creating abbreviated trauma narratives with the support of teachers, program leaders, coaches, and other community supports.

 

3. Navigating the Intersection of Faith and Culture for Youth Ministry Leaders

With Pastor Ivan Estrada

This engaging workshop is designed specifically for youth ministry leaders who are eager to explore how faith and culture intersect in today’s rapidly changing world. As a youth leader, you play a pivotal role in guiding young people through their spiritual journeys while also addressing the cultural influences that shape their lives. This workshop will equip you with the insights, tools, and strategies needed to effectively engage with youth in a meaningful way.

 

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

With Justin Sarachik (Rapzilla)

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

With Roselyn Rodriguez

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. Sacred Streets: Finding God in the City Through Faith, Creativity, and Community

With Anmily Brown

In the heart of bustling metropolises, amidst the screeching of life, lies a profound opportunity to discover God's divine presence and spiritual insights. "Finding God in the City" invites you on an inspirational journey through urban landscapes, where faith intersects with the vibrant tapestry of city life. This workshop is designed for seekers, thinkers, and doers who wish to explore how spiritual discernment can be woven into the fabric of our everyday environment and everyday creativity. 

 

7. Family Matters: Parental Engagement & Healthy Boundaries

With Pastor Jonathan Olavarria

Hey there! Ever wonder how to get parents more involved in your youth ministry? And not just *involved*, but involved in a way that's actually helpful and builds stronger relationships with their teens? This course, "Family Matters," is designed to do just that! We'll dive deep into practical strategies for encouraging parental engagement, exploring what truly motivates parents to participate and how to make it easy for them to do so. But it's not just about getting them in the door. We'll also tackle the tricky topic of healthy boundaries. How do you build partnerships with parents without overstepping? How do you navigate differing parenting styles? How do you support families while still empowering teens?