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The pinnacle YiM event is a week-long experience held July 24-30 on the Milligan College campus, where high school students are challenged to explore God’s specific call for their lives.
The conference provides workshops and discussions for those interested in careers in teaching, technical media, counseling, worship, leadership, preaching, missions and creative arts.
“For most students, the questions usually begin in their junior and senior years of high school. What will I do after graduation? What will I study in college? What career will I pursue?” said Phyllis Fox, director of YiM. “The Big Picture gives teens an opportunity to explore a variety of vocations with an emphasis on ministry.”
The conference is for high schools students graduating in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Deadline for applications is May 23. Registration scholarships are available to attend the conference.
In addition to ministry skills workshops, the Big Picture Conference involves life discovery assessments, accountability groups, worship services and Bible studies. By the end of the week, teens develop a personal action plan to help guide their future decisions and vocational choices.
Curtis Booher, young adult minister at Crossroads Christian Church in Gray, Tenn., is dean of the Big Picture Student Leadership Conference. Other conference leaders and counselors include youth and student ministers from churches in the Southeast, as well as faculty from both Milligan College and Emmanuel School of Religion.
“The Big Picture conference was amazing. God really showed me who I am and that I need to surrender everything to him,” said Katie Tutino, a 2004 conference participant from Maryland.
Andy Olivo, who also attended last year and is now a freshman at Milligan, agrees.
“The Big Picture was an amazing, life-changing experience. The conference leaders and counselors were inspiring and insightful, helping me to focus on God’s call for my life,” said Olivo.
YiM has led workshops and seminars throughout the region and eastern U.S. to help teens identify their unique calling in life. YiM is also the coordinator and co-sponsor of the North American Christian Teen Program. YiM is a partnership of Milligan College and Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, TN.
“Students come from all over the United States to gather for the week-long exploration of God’s call for their lives. The Big Picture is a week that changes teens’ lives and helps guide their futures,” said Fox.
For more information about the Big Picture Teen Leadership Conference or other YiM events, contact Phyllis Fox at 423-975-8021 or visit www.youthinministry.org to download application and registration scholarship forms.