Calling all CBOQ youth pastors and leaders to join together for three days of fellowship, networking and learning at Camp Kwasind. This year, we're focusing on Renegotiating Faith with one of the key authors, Rick Hiemstra (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada). Together, we'll delve deep into this research, discern how it impacts our local churches and across our region, and formulate some action steps out of this. Mike Janzen will lead
The 36th Today's Teens Conference continued to inspire and equip over 1200 youth workers and student leaders. This year featured Sunder Krishnan and Iona Snair challenging youth workers alongside Melinda Estabrooks and Shawn Naylor inspiring students. The Meeting House was filled with worship led by the C4 Worship Team. Alongside a number of Canadian breakout speakers from across our nation, this year featured the first awarding of the John Wilkinson
Now's the Time So often, the Christian faith is portrayed as future-oriented. "One day we'll get there." "One day, Jesus will return." All of that is true. But Jesus reminds us not to forsake the present. Last Saturday, over 1400 youth leaders, students and volunteers gathered at the Meeting House to be inspired and challenged. Time and time again, they were reminded to consider what God is doing right now, and
Developing leaders is crucial in the progression of the church. Leaders at various levels--children’s ministry leaders, student leaders, adult leaders--provide a foundation for the church as a whole. Investing in leaders is one of the best way to strengthen the church. These are some best practices to consider for both student leaders and adult leaders. Student Leaders Building leaders, especially student leaders, takes time and patience. Some students progress faster
Over the years, we've coordinated what we called an event internship where youth and young adults came to serve at Avalanche and Blizzard while honing their ministry skills. Over the last 12 months, we've redesigned that program into what we call "Slingshot". We recognize that today's young adult isn't always able to commit to a program long-term (some don't even know what they're doing the next hour). We also recognize
In all areas of life, we continue to change (whether progressively or regressively). Our ministry skills are no different. It's not to say that you must make a major investment in every area of your life all the time. But, to ensure you're not neglecting one area over another in the long term, you need to balance where you're placing your energies in your next steps. Ministry development can happen
“Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.” ― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are The fact is, if you don't train, you don't transform. If you're not continuing to learn and stretch, then don't expect positive change. Ensuring that you and your team have on-going learning opportunities is key to sharpening their ministry skills and moving the
