The Global Leadership Summit
Because of the ongoing relationship that Reach Youth New England has developed with Willow Creek Association, we have once again secured a discount code for the LOWEST possible price, $79, to attend the Summit, not only for New England Youth Workers but for EVERY youth worker in America!! Pretty great, huh? Click here to find out more information or to see the list of locations click here.
PLEASE NOTE: To honor our commitment to Willow Creek, we must ask that this code be used ONLY by youth workers, youth ministry volunteers, college, and high school students. This code is not to be used by general church staff or others.
Just use the code 13TGLSYTH when you register to get the discount!
This issue of YouthWorker Journal focuses on THE BEST. Follow any of these three links:
I’ve been in youth ministry for over five years, and one of the events I always look forward to is Disciple Now weekend. If you don’t know what Disciple Now is, it’s a weekend retreat filled with worship, bible studies, fellowships, and mission projects. Students stay at host homes, and in some sense, it’s like a wee 
With the recent surge of interest in the Bible – thanks to The History Channel’s “The Bible” series and GSN’s “The American Bible Challenge” game show – does knowing the number of times Delilah tricked Samson, or remembering the name of the guy whose ear Peter cut off or reciting the ag 
Over the last few years, a group of churches from our local network has started making a winter retreat to Monadnock Bible Conference in Jaffrey, N.H. an annual, joint event. It started with two of us going together in 2010. Each year since we have had another church join us. There are already conversations about a fifth joining us next year! Through this simple partnership 
It was September 19th last fall when my friend and illusionist, AJ and I headed to the high school in Negaunee, Michigan in the upper peninsula of Michigan for two assembly programs and a rally presented to 730 students. AJ brought down the house with his gravity-defying performance. Hearts were softened and defenses came down.
People often ask me what I think about the future of youth ministry. My response usually surprises them. I am VERY excited about the future of youth ministry. As a matter of fact 2013 could be youth ministry’s break out year. This may be the year that…
You know that student ministry is hard work. I know student ministry is hard work. So the idea of networking together with another youth group to do something together sounds likes making your job even harder.
I have been thinking about writing a post on this topic for a long time now because I believe it’s an important subject. Every time I think about this topic, 
Almost all my best friends are youth leaders in the six youth networks in our area. When I meet with these friends from Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Free Methodist, Wesleyan, and charismatic churches, I see God at work in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I must agree with Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Community Church) when he said, “The local ch 
As the 18 youth workers sat around indulging their brownbag lunches, clusters of four and five laughed and chided each other over the personal anecdotes they had experienced over the past few weeks. The monthly Netville Youth Worker Coalition meeting was about to begin, and this informal bantering around the room was a vital element of their gathering..jpg)
On October 1, Dan Maltby, one of the Network founders, went to be with the Lord at age 65.
Youthworkers are always asking the same question.
Often times, fundraising for your upcoming mission trip can get a bit stale. Every year it's the same old ideas - bake sales, car washes and having the students do work for people within your church. As these tend to work time and time again, sometimes giving can start to diminish.
Ever feel alone in ministry? Boy, I sure have. I remember one time being so depressed that I could not even get off the floor to go to speak at my youth group. Isolation, abandonment and desperation can all combine to push us away from those who can help us most. Thankfully, I had friends in ministry who took the initiative and helped me work through my issues. But 
What would happen if you get leaders from major youth ministry organizations to come together for a day of prayer?
I want to care about more than putting “butts in seats.”
You may be starting out in ministry or have been there for decades. Either way you may have realized that no one should do youth ministry alone. However, it can be a real struggle building partnerships to reach and equip teenagers in your community.
There is a lot of buzz regarding the upcoming release of Blue Like Jazz and we have a couple great resources for you.
This weekend, my wonderful wife Donna and I leave for Russia to lead our seventeenth mission trip there. Those who know me understand that these two weeks in Russia are a part of my “second life.” I love the opportunity to get back to Russia and focus on reaching out to non-believing youth in a foreign culture as well as ministering to a great group of youth from the USA. We will be joined by another group from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida who will help us host a five day English camp for selected students from Moscow..jpg)
According to a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, Vermont is ranked as the 50th least religious state, or stated another way, we are the least churched state in the entire country. This is likely because Vermonters see themselves as ruggedly independent, capable of making it on their own, and skeptical of any need for salvation other than one of their own making.
The Newsboys are being intentional about evangelism on their "God's Not Dead" tour for 2012. They have asked gifted evangelist and my boss, Bob Lenz, to partner with them by giving a clear Gospel message at each city they vist. In order to keep this from being a tour that simply passes through an area entertaining folks, I will be working with friend and coleaugue Kris Wood to network in each city on the tour.
A Free Lesson From Your ym360 Team 
A Free Lesson From Your ym360 Team
If you are on this site, chances are you are already well aware of youth worker networking. You have probably come across NNYM, denominational networks or other grassroots efforts to rally the youth worker troops. 
Adolescence cannot last from 11 years old to 29 years old. Our society will crumble economically & socially under the pressure.
Often I am asked, "What do I do to stay current and relevant while I am in-between ministry jobs?" In the current economic environment, that's a question that is being asked more and more and is a worthwhile conversation. Below are a few things that I would encourage if you find yourself in that situation.
Vineyard Worship artist and worship leader Jeremy Riddle has announced the release of his new studio album entitled, Furious. The album is set for release on September 20 via NewDay Distribution.
Pro football star Jake Walker is living the dream… or so he thinks. The veteran tight end is a fan favorite and on pace to set the all-time receiving yards record that will guarantee him a spot in the Hall of Fame. While working out at training camp, Jake receives an unexpected call from his brother Dean – their father Frank has suffered a major heart attack. Jake immediately leaves practice and returns to Riverton, North Carolina, the small hometown he’s avoided for nearly 15 years. Memories of glory and regret flood his mind as he returns to the family and friends he abandoned in pursuit of his career. Jake dutifully visits with Frank and Dean, but hurt and misunderstanding from the past begins to resurface, leaving him counting the days until he can return to his team.
WOMEN OF FAITH has a fantastic new program, called WOMEN OF FAITH GIVES BACK, they’ve implemented in efforts to bless their cities.
If you are going to the Creation Festival Northeast, please stop by the Youth Leaders Only area, hosted by 
We have another great recource from our friends at 
Through our partnership with Baker Book House we are excited to offer you a discount on HURT 2.0 by Chap Clark. The book retails at $17.99, but you can get it for $13.95.
This September 21-25, pro and amatuer athletes, youth pastors, company owners, artists, musicians and youth workers will gather together at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2011 Skate & Action Sports Conference.
Last week I had the chance to chat with Jeff Goins from Adventures in Missions about a new project he is working on. The project is called 
We love the guys at ym360 and they have produced a great Easter lesson complete with PowerPoint and a Student Handout. To download this free lesson, simply go 
Last year we partnered with 
It's camp for junior high youth workers!
We want you to know about The Real Winning Edge television series, which is now airing in syndication nationwide through September 2011. The Real Winning Edge is a program that encourages young people to see beyond their own circumstances and realize they are not alone in their struggles. It is a program that instills confidence in teenagers who are reaching for their own dreams, and delivers a strong message of hope and optimism for the future.
Recently I had a chance to talk to Les Bradford and Andy Blanks from youthministry360. If you are not familiar with them or their ministry, we wanted to introduce them to you and share some of their story.
In my time here at NNYM I have seen a ton of great ministries that target spiritual seekers, but what about those people who are not aware they should be seeking. How are we going to share Biblical truth with youth and young adults who believe our message is outdated and answers irrelevant?
We are excited to partner with a film coming to theaters this Friday!
The following letter was in our local paper, written by 10 freshmen from the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District in Wisconsin:
Baseball is a great game of competition. However at the last game I went to, I saw how powerful it can be when athletes cooperate to share Jesus...
That's one of the topics discussed in the new Youth Leader University under the Training tab. See the 
