A refreshing one-day gathering for youth workers
on February 11, 2012.

By the middle of February youth workers will have expended a huge amount of their heart and soul investing into the lives of young people and their families.  The wear and tear of time and energy poured into relationships during the academic year adds up. SPARK provides an intentional connecting point where youth workers can be encouraged and built up.

There may be no higher calling than the biblical pursuit of ministry that equips and empowers young people to passionately follow Jesus. The core message of the Bible involves raising-up the next generations to know God and be released to proclaim God's message (Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, Matthew 18, etc.)

The goal of SPARK is to provide a refreshing experience for those who have committed their time and energy to next generation ministry work. SPARK will provide fresh resources and ideas, options for training and development, and a networking environment that we expect will be a great inspiration for all of us to keep running.

Daniel White Hodge, PhD, a Hip Hop scholar focuses on race relations, film, cultural trends, spirituality and recent author of The Soul of Hip Hop. Having received his PhD from Fuller Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Dan is also a national speaker for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI).  www.whitehodge.com
 

Ginny Olson, for more than 16 years, Ginny was the Co-director, of the Center for Youth Ministry Studies at North Park University. She’s an author, former leader at Willow Creek, currently the Director of Youth Ministry for the Northwest Conference of Covenant churches and overall expert on everything in youth ministry.

Eric Iverson, a twenty-six year youth ministry veteran, nationally recognized leader in youth ministry and currently the Director of Multicultural Integrity at YouthWorks. Eric consults, teaches, and trains nationally around issues of poverty, race, Jesus-justice, and multi-ethnic ministry. www.youthworks.com

Meg Murphy and Jack Mackinnon, who began the Next Generation mentoring program at Church of the Open Door. Meg used to work at Fallon advertising agency and Christ Presbyterian Church. Jack previously taught middle school and high school. www.thedoor.org

Dr. Gary Newton, Professor of Discipleship Ministry at Crown College, will give you a preview of the insights he shares in his upcoming new book, Heart-Deep Teaching. In addition to serving 14 years in youth ministry, Dr. Newton has taught students at the university and seminary level for 26 years. www.heartdeepteaching.com

Brad Palsma, Professor of Worship Arts at Crown College, will be sharing from his experience in local church and college ministry, various principles to incorporate musical instruction, technology and theology within the context of your youth worship team.  Prior to Crown, Brad served as Director of Music & Worship at Life Pacific College and in worship ministry at churches in Nashville and Atlanta.

Matt Reeve, Associate Pastor of Youth Ministries and iLive at Parkside Church in Waconia, Matt will be speaking on "From Green to Gray: Ministry for the Long Haul."  What are the key ingredients needed to minister with excellence for the laung haul?  As I look back, here are a few tips for moving from green to gray.http://www.illuminateministries.org/

Dr. Ken Castor, SPARK Conference Host and Asst. Professor of Youth Ministry at Crown College. For the last twenty years, Ken has pastored around the U.S. and Canada focusing on the next generations of the church. Ken’s passion is to build up emerging, catalytic followers of Jesus to serve in our world.

Plus we'll give you snacks and lunch....that will provide you with the spark you need to make it energetically through the day.  

The conference is being hosted by Crown College, a Christian college located just west of Minneapolis with a 95-year legacy of preparing Christians to serve and influence the world. 

SPARK: Igniting a blaze in the frozen tundra west of the Twin Cities.

 
We invite you and your team to join us for 6 refreshing hours on February 11, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 11, 2012. Cost is only $19 per person.

SCHEDULE:

Limited spots are available so register today by CLICKING HERE.

Special thanks to Crown College,
Minnesota Teen Challenge
and Youth Specialties
for their help with SPARK 2012!