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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN ( March 10, 2004 ) — Local teen program “Youth in Ministry” (YiM) has spent two years leading workshops and seminars throughout the region and eastern U.S. to help teens identify their unique calling in life. This summer YiM will take their program to the national level as the coordinator and co-sponsor of the North American Christian Convention (NACC) Teen Convention, which will be held in Phoenix , Ariz., July 5-8.
The NACC Teen Convention draws teens and youth ministers from across the nation. Begun in 1927 and based in Cincinnati , Ohio , the NACC is the national gathering for more than 6,500 congregations that are part of the fellowship of Christian churches and churches of Christ. These churches, which are among the fastest growing in the country, consist of more than 1.6 million members and have no official denominational organization structure.
In recent years, the NACC has attracted between 10,000-15,000 people to conventions in major cities around the U.S. The convention typically features worship sessions, Bible studies and ministry-related workshops.
“YiM is honored to be the coordinator and co-sponsor of the NACC Teen Convention,” said Phyllis Fox, director of YiM and director of the NACC Teen Convention. “It is a three-year commitment that gives our ministry the opportunity to encourage a large audience of teens to examine their faith and explore their career goals, considering Christian ministry among their options.”
YiM’s program for the Teen Convention features keynote speaker Mike Breaux, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, Illinois; worship leader Marc Imboden; concerts with Lost & Found; and drama performances by Youth 4 Truth of Pantano Christian Church of Tucson, Ariz. Also featured will be the musical, Star Queen, written by John thomas Oaks. Comedian John Branyan will also perform with Oaks.
Planning the teen convention has been a group effort of youth leaders and ministers from throughout the Southeast, many of whom have been active with YiM programming since the program began two years ago. That team included Luke Emmert, former president of Tennessee Christian Teen Convention (TCTC) and youth minister at Jefferson City Christian Church, Jefferson City, Tenn.; Ron Bull, production coordinator for TCTC and youth minister at West Side Christian Church, Knoxville; Kit Dotson, former president of Carolina Christian Youth Convention, now serving with Discipleship Training Institute and team leader for YiM; and David Robinson, student ministry team leader and preaching associate for Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Md.
Additional advisors include Curtis Booher, student minister, Crossroads Christian Church, Gray , Tenn. , and Brad Perry, student minister at Poplar Ridge Christian Church, Piney Flats, Tenn.
“As a ministry partner with NACC, YiM is doing a tremendous job with planning and organizing the NACC Teen Convention for Phoenix 2004 and provides valuable leadership and support to energize the teen program,” said Larry Collins, managing director and meeting planner for the NACC.
YiM’s workshops and seminars are held annually at Milligan College . The program offers a week-long summer teen leadership conference for students who desire to understand God’s call in their lives and a variety of workshops and youth rallies throughout the year to help teens explore their career options, including ministry.
For more information about YiM or the NACC Teen Convention, contact Phyllis Fox at 423.975.8021 or at pfox@millligan.edu or visit www.youthinministry.org .