Participants:
Young people (9-12 grade) with an interest in church leadership, Christian discipleship, spiritual practice. Young people in whom YOU see a developing passion for Christ and the Church or for leadership in the church. This is an ecumenical event and open to all.
Plenary Session: Theology of Christian Leadership
An interactive keynote presentation by one of Pathways experienced faculty focusing on the theology of Christian leadership. Community building, music, and worship as well.
Workshops:
Each young person will participate in three workshops designed for youth to learn and to lead – even after the event is over.
Understanding and Leading Spiritual Practice
Recreaology: The Theology of Recreation
Learning, Leading and Living the Gospel: Bible Study for Leaders
Take Home:
Each youth participant will receive a Pathways Masters messenger bag filled with resources from each component of the day. They will leave this event equipped to use these resources in their own congregations, governing bodies, and faith communities.
Cost:
$45—standard rate
$40—early bird rate
Fee includes tuition, program materials, breaks, bag, and lunch. A non-refundable $10 deposit is required at registration. The remainder of the fee is refundable up to 1week before the event. Register early to ensure availability.
Schedule:
8:00-9:00
Registration/refreshments
9:00-9:20
Welcome/Prayer: youth and adults together
9:20-10:20
Opening Plenary
10:30-12:00
Workshop 1
12:00-1:00
Lunch
1:00-2:20
Workshop 2
2:30-4:00
Workshop 3
4:00-4:30
Worship—adults and youth together
Keynote Presenter - Mark Yaconelli
Mark has an MA in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union and is at the forefront of youth ministry research, having written such books as Downtime: Helping Teenagers Pray (Zondervan, 2008) and Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus (Zondervan, 2006). Mark currently resides in Ashland, Oregon.
Recreation - Beth Bannerman Gunn
Beth is an experienced speaker, writer, and recreation leader. She has a degree in recreation resource administration from North Carolina State University and has designed recreation programs for numerous regional and national conferences, including the PC(USA) Youth Triennium. Beth is the co-creator of a new software resource called Recreation Express. She lives and works from the beautiful mountain town of Swananoa, NC.
Music - Bill Buchanan and Jorge Sayago-Gonzalez
Bill is associate pastor for congregational and community life at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC. He is a co-founder of Theological Expressions in Arts Ministry (T.E.A.M.) which has been part of the worship leadership for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium and Montreat Youth Conferences. Bill and his wife, Aimee, live in Asheville, NC with their two children, Taylor & Elle.
Jorge serves as youth director at Second Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a life-long Presbyterian from Puerto Rico. Jorge has led music for a number of Presbyterian conferences including, most recently, The Montreat Youth Conference and APCE. Jorge is married to Janine Sayago.
Bible Study - Jerrod Lowry
Jerrod is the Associate Presbyter for Special Ministries for the New Hope Presbytery in eastern North Carolina. Jerrod also serves as senior pastor at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Louisburg, North Carolina.
Spiritual Practice - Kathi Bonallo
Kathy is the Director of Youth Ministries for Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, Washington. Kathi also works with young adults as a part of Calvin Presbyterian’s Summer Trainees program, which helps college-aged youth to develop teaching and leadership skills in a church context.
Site Coordinator – Aimee Wallis Buchanan
Aimee is the director of a new non-profit mission program and a veteran presenter at national PC(USA) youth events. She is co-author of Making Worship Real and All That We Are, two books focusing on young people and worship. Aimee helped design the Bible Study and Spiritual Practice workshops for the Pathways youth track and is leading the Pathways Friday night vocation event for Presbyterian youth and adults. Aimee and her husband, Bill, live in Asheville, NC with their two children, Taylor & Elle.