A national youth conference, such as the renowned Momentum youth conference, provides the opportunity for young church members to make connections, learn more about their faith, and at the end of the day, have a lot of fun. But if you’ve never been to a youth conference before or never considered sending your youth ministry to one, it’s natural to have quite a few questions. With the cost, time, and dedication, what are the true benefits of a youth conference?
You’d be surprised at just how valuable a youth conference experience can be for students, pastors, church leaders, and everyone involved. But what exactly are these benefits that students can take away with them well after the youth conference has reached its conclusion? Here, we’re taking a closer look at the unique benefits of a Christian youth conference and why every church leader should already have one circled on the calendar.
What is a Youth Conference?
What do we exactly mean by a youth conference? A Christian youth conference is a non-denominational conference for school-aged children (generally middle or high school-aged students) that can help students learn more about their faith, make valuable connections with others, and form a more personal relationship with God.
Compared to other types of ministry, a Christian youth conference is truly unique. From the outside looking in, one may not even think that there are many ministries going on (because it looks like so much fun), but that’s why this form of ministry is so effective. These conferences generally take place over the summer for a week or so and provide a unique space for young church members to gather, learn, and grow.
The majority of youth conferences incorporate a range of fun activities and events that are all founded on Biblical teachings and a relationship with God. Often, youth conferences combine recreational activities (almost like a conventional summer camp) with Bible study, guest speakers, and unique breakout sessions that provide personal direction and inspiration. Of course, each youth conference will have its own unique opportunities. Before choosing one for your youth ministry, it’s important to do your research to know exactly what you’re getting from this overall experience.
4 Benefits of a Youth Conference
Curious as to just what a youth conference could do for your church and youth ministry? Just take a look below:
1. Valuable connections: at a youth conference, it’s all about making connections with others who share similar values. Often, especially for young church members, it can be difficult to find those with similar values in school, sports, or other after-school activities. But at a youth conference, the search is over. Youth conferences bring together teenagers with similar values and goals and provide an environment for them to forge valuable connections that often last long after the youth conference has ended. And if a church member attends multiple years, there’s always the excitement of seeing those similar faces each summer.
2. Deepen their faith: a youth conference isn’t just about the fun and games. Of course, that’s part of it, but the core purpose of a youth conference is to help young church members deepen their faith and their relationship with God. The purpose of a youth conference is to teach gospel principles and help young church members turn these lessons into actions. When students see how the teachings of Christ can translate into the actions of the world around them, this often only serves to deepen their faith and their commitment to improving not just their communities but themselves.
3. Gain new experiences: while attending church each Sunday is an important part of developing one’s faith, let’s be honest; the same routine can get stale from time to time. To spark inspiration and excitement, a youth conference will offer teenagers a wealth of new experiences and ministry opportunities to build their faith. Many youth conferences work to connect students with local communities and unique opportunities to serve. For example, some offer volunteer situations for conference attendees so that they have the opportunity to see the Biblical lessons in action. Some may allow students to volunteer at soup kitchens, work on volunteer construction projects, preach to the homeless, or other unique opportunities to get them engaged.
4. Become a leader in the church: for many young members of the church, the confidence and knowledge they gain from attending a national youth conference can empower them. This confidence, for many, can help to inspire them to take a more active role in their own churches and communities at home. When these young students can see themselves as leaders and not just followers, then their impact can be felt by countless church and community members.
Conclusion – What are the Benefits of a Youth Conference?
There are many different ways that you can deepen and expand your faith. For young church members, one of the most enjoyable (and effective) ways to do so is by attending a national youth conference. Often taking place during the summer—so you don’t have to worry about taking off for school—these unique events provide an exciting environment for young church members to learn more about the Church and how they fit in with their unique relationship with God.
Youth conferences are filled with fun activities, but this is just the beginning. Each activity, event, and lesson from these conferences will be grounded in Biblical teachings and focused on helping young church members deepen their faith on a personal level. So, if you’re looking for a unique, fun, and wholly immersive ministry opportunity for your youth ministry, you should definitely look at some national youth conferences. When pairing the right youth conference with your church and your values, it’s truly amazing what can happen.
