Of course, we love to advertise and publicize events the YWG have organized, but we are also pleased to showcase other youth events held in our presbytery.
Facilitated by Johanna Freer from Youth for Christ, this workshop shifted the focus from events to purpose. Instead of asking, "What can I do with youth?", youth leaders learned to ask, "What do I want youth to discover about their Christian faith?"
The workshop started by exploring our mission, vision and values before continuing on to understanding the philosophy and culture. From there, leaders learned to develop strategic plans and budgets.
From July 2-7 youth and youth leaders from across Canada gathered together at Brock University in St. Catharines for a week of worship, fun, and learning. We were blessed also by having a number of youth and their leaders from Ghana, Malawi, Taiwan, and Lebanon. This year's theme was Stirred, Not Shaken.
A bus-load of our own youth and youth leaders from across the Synod of Eastern Ontario and Quebec (as well as a number who took the train) were among the many attendees. We signed up for one of the four tracks: Youth Track (grades 9 and up); Discipleship Track (ages 19-25); Youth Ministry Training Track; and Next Track (for congregational leadership).
The weather was hot but that didn't stop us from doing a number of activities, worshipping, learning, eating, and generally having fun.
More