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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (May 11, 2006) — Teens with an interest in exploring God’s call in their lives are invited to Youth in Ministry’s (YiM) weeklong summer conference at Milligan College, July 23-29. The Big Picture Teen Conference features ministry skills workshops in leadership, preaching, youth ministry, children’s ministry, counseling, creative arts, media arts, missions and worship.
“Many young people today are asking, ‘What will I do with my life?’ ‘What are my gifts and skills?’ ‘What career should I choose?’ and ‘Would God call me into full time ministry?’” said Phyllis Fox, director of YiM. “We explore those questions and help teens search for answers at the Big Picture Conference.”
Curtis Booher, Milligan’s assistant professor of Bible and Christian Ministries , is dean of the Big Picture Conference. Speakers include Tommy Oaks, an evangelist; Rick Grover, senior minister of Journey Christian Church in New Orleans ; and Laura Buffington, minister to young adults at SouthBrook Christian Church in Centerville, Ohio.
Additional planning team members include David Robinson, Community Christian Church, Baltimore, Md., and Kit Dotson, student minister, Crossroads Christian Church, Gray, Tenn. 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.
“In addition to exploring God’s call, we want teens to develop skills to serve their church. It’s a week that will change teens’ lives and help guide their futures,” says Fox. “It’s an incredible opportunity for them to prepare for life, leadership and service.”
The conference also includes life discovery assessments, an introduction to the spiritual disciplines, accountability groups and worship services.
The conference is for high schools students graduating in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Suggested deadline for applications is June 1. A limited number of registration scholarships are available to attend the conference and are assigned as applications are received.
YiM leads workshops and seminars throughout the region and eastern U.S. to help teens explore their unique calling in life. This summer, YiM will be the producer of the North American Christian Convention (NACC) Teen Convention, held in Louisville, Ky., June 27-29.
YiM is a partnership of Milligan College and Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tenn.
For more information about the Big Picture Teen Conference or other YiM events, contact Phyllis Fox at 423-975-8021 or visit www.youthinministry.org to download application and registration scholarship forms.