What is the Youth Ministry Exchange and Why You Should Attend

The coronavirus has caused a lot of disruptions over the course of the last 6 months. And while it has caused us to adapt and change the way we do ministry and learn, there has also been a lot of positives to come from it. For instance, when conferences were being cancelled, the Orange Conference in April went off quite well, just digitally (here are my notes).

Well now the coronavirus has impacted yet another great conference. However, good news is on the horizon. The National Youth Workers Conference (NWYC) put on by Youth Specialities and the Orange Tour have been altered. Instead of being able to offer these in person gatherings, they have combined forces with Download Youth Ministry and the Fuller Youth Ministry Institute to offer the Youth Ministry Exchange on October 22-23 (they are also offering the Kids Ministry Exchange on Oct. 20-21). This 2 day event will feature 4 main sessions, 20+ Breakout sessions with Q&As, 4 opportunities for virtual roundtable discussions and 1 Digital Hall Exhibit to check out a wide variety of resources. It’s an amazing opportunity that is all virtual!

But why should you attend? What are some reasons for you attend? Here are 4.

• Brought to you by tons of experience. As mentioned above, this is a combined event from Orange, Youth Specialities, Fuller Youth Ministry Institute and Download Youth Ministry. These are the premier Youth Ministry Groups with hundreds of years of youth ministry experience. You will hear from amazing leaders who are in the trenches and doing tons of research.
• Roundtable discussions. Not only will you hear from National leaders but you’ll be able to participate in discussion roundtables where you can talk with other leaders who are in the youth ministry trenches all over the world.
• We need to keep learning. We have learned so much about youth ministry over the past 6 months. But there is still so much we can be learning and with the roundtables and breakouts that feature Q&A times there will be lots of opportunities for all of us to learn.
• It’s affordable. Usually when you go to a conference, you need to pay for the ticket to the conference, food, travel and hotel accommodations. Here you just have the conference to pay for. It is very affordable.

The Youth Ministry Exchange is a brand new virtual event. It may not have the same feel as an in person gathering, but, as highlighted above, there are many great reasons why this is a can’t miss event of the fall.

What do you think? Are you planning on attending the Youth Ministry Exchange? Share your thoughts below or on social media using #ymsidekick as you share. 

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