Northwest Conference Youth Ministry news

October 24 at Bethlehem Covenant

YPC logo new The Connection is where a great group of youth pastors gather to laugh and pray and be challenged and encouraged. We meet from 12-3 p.m. next Thursday, Oct. 24. Bring your lunch and meet us at Bethlehem Covenant (3141 43rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406-2292) www.bethlehemcov.org.

Other meeting dates are Nov. 21, Jan. 16, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17 and May 15.

Our topic this month is Teen Dating Violence, which is a pervasive problem.One in every three teens in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. Dating violence can occur in person or electronically and in a current or former dating relationship. Teen dating violence takes shape in ways that are often overlooked by parents, siblings and friends because it occurs outside the home, often in public.

Why talk about Teen Dating Violence? It is critical for teens and adults to be educated on the red flags and the different forms the abuse may take and to identify and label the abuse in order to end the unhealthy relationship. Teens are heavily influenced by their relationship experience and often don't recognize what is healthy and unhealthy behavior.

Our speakers:

Jody Cowdin is the Executive Director of The Dwelling Place, a transitional shelter for battered women and their children in St. Paul. Since August 2010, Jody has used both her professional training, and her personal experience in a 19-year abusive marriage, to lead other women and children to safety, healing and strength in her work at The Dwelling Place.

Born and raised in Southwest Minnesota, Julia Dembeck's passion for this topic was sparked by the Lord bringing her through an abusive relationship in college and experiencing lasting joy, love and redemption in Jesus Christ. Julia received her B.A. in Ministry & Counseling from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, and has worked at The Dwelling Place as Program Assistant, since 2011.

VIVE 2013

Oct. 26 at Crosstown Covenant, Minneapolis

VIVE logo What do your students know about FAFSA forms and college essays? Some don't have a clue, and their lack of information will cost them a college degree. For students who are the first in their family to go to college, applying to schools can be overwhelming.

A great resource for you and your students and their parents is VIVE on Oct. 26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Crosstown Covenant, Minneapolis, MN. Participants will be inspired by Steve Fitzhugh (former Denver Bronco), interact with the North Park University worship team and learn practical ways to achieve their college dream. Parents will get useful knowledge about helping their child get to college. And youth workers and pastors will learn about how to advocate for their students when it comes to higher education.

The day is free and a continental breakfast, as well as lunch, will be provided.

VIVE is a college prep event for under-represented students in grades 7 through 12. VIVE's mission is to encourage and prepare these young students to choose a college education. Parents and youth pastors and other adults who are invested in students are welcome.

Register at www.northpark.edu/vive. Also, find us on Facebook at VIVE Twin Cities.

Upcoming NWC Events

Recharge 2014

Recharge logo www.ministryrecharge.com

This one-day youth ministry and children's ministry leadership training event will be Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Grace Fellowship in Brooklyn Park, MN. It's a great event for both you and your volunteers with seminars that deal with issues we face as youth workers.

The morning general session speaker will be Rich Van Pelt. Rich specializes in training youth workers in adolescent crisis intervention and teen suicide prevention and response. http://youthspecialties.com/author/rich-van-pelt. The NWC has been on the steering committee for this event since the beginning.

Evangelical Covenant Youth Worker Connection

Jan. 25-27, 2014, at Hyatt O'Hare, Chicago, IL

http://www.covchurch.org/midwinter/connection/

Engage in Theological Dialogue, TED Talks, Fitness, Spiritual Connections, Community Groups, Round Tables, Peer Learning, Conference Connections, Monday night dinner with Comedy Sportz are just a few of the highlights for Youth Worker Connection 2014.

MOVE 2014

MOVE (Mission Outreach Venture and Experience) is April 4-5 at First Covenant, Minneapolis. It's two days of learning, serving and experiencing an urban environment for high school students. More details to come.

MUUUCE 2014

The Most Unbelievable Ultimate Urban Camping Experience for middle school/jr. high students will be at Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN, Aug. 7-9. Check out pictures from this year's MUUUCE on our Facebook page: Northwest Conference Youth Ministry

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Inclusion on this list doesn't imply endorsement. Do your homework to make sure these events fit you or your group.

National Youth Workers Convention

Nashville, Nov. 22-24. Early bird registration ends Oct. 18

With almost 40 years of experience, this is the premier youth worker convention. You'll get a chance to hear Shane Claiborne, Harvey Carey, Bob Goff, Shane & Shane, David Crowder, Rend Collective, Amena Brown as well as seminars on social media, sexuality, "brains on fire," middle school ministry, undergraduate spirituality, imaginative prayer, and so much more! www.nywc.com

Youth Mega Rally

Sunday, Nov. 3

Bethel University is hosting a high-powered night with the Skit Guys and Agape. Early registration is $5 and is $8 after Oct. 28.

http://www.bethel.edu/church-ministries/events/fall-megarally/

Ignite Conference & Concert

Saturday, Nov. 16

This conference (10 a.m. - 9 p.m.) is about training people about evangelism (they base it on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's evangelism material). There's a concert with Lincoln Brewster (Bayside Covenant's worship pastor!) that night. Tickets are $25 for the conference and the concert.

http://myktis.com/event/ignite-conference/

Denominational Youth Ministry Updates

Check out the denomination's youth ministry blog to find out what's going on in youth ministry beyond the Northwest Conference: http://blogs.covchurch.org/ywupdate/. You can also subscribe to the Youth Worker Updates, both weekly and monthly versions.

Breaking News

To get the latest updates on events and other youth ministry happenings for the NWC, follow us on Facebook: Northwest Conference Youth Ministry page or on Twitter @nwcym