Youth Ministry Conferences

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_separator color=”white”][vc_separator color=”white”][vc_column_text]We have pulled together a list of the top nine summer camps used by youth groups throughout the PCA. This free tool provides locations, age groups, website info, and a bit of general information about each camp. Click the image on the right to view and download the pdf.

If you know of a youth camp that’s missing from this list that should be considered, contact Danny Mitchell.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6099″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full” link=”http://archivepcacdm.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-Youth-Camps-image2.pdf” img_link_large=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As you probably know already, CEP has undergone a bit of a transformation over the last few years.  Most notably was the hiring of Dr. Stephen Estock as the new coordinator and most noticeably was our name change to CDM (Committee on Discipleship Ministries).  Along with those major changes, came a new website, a rebranding, a slate of new conferences, a new Women’s Ministry Coordinator and new material to aid in the discipleship efforts of your church.  While all of those changes have been good and while excitement about the work of CDM is growing and while the vision of CDM to connect and equip is bearing fruit the REAL question that needs to be answered is:

What is happening with YXL East at Covenant College?

In honor of grandfathers everywhere, I would like to answer this important question with a story that may or may not have anything to do with the topic at hand.

My favorite childhood candy bar was the Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup.  Two great taste coming together to make one awesome candy bar.  What’s not to love…peanut butter and chocolate…chocolate and peanut butter?  Though I strongly suspect that Hershey’s has been slowly decreasing the size of the cup while at the same time raising the price of the candy bar, there is still nothing takes care of my mid-afternoon craving for sweets like the confectionary goodness that is a Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup.

In the same way that H.B. Reece discovered in 1928 that two great tastes when put together became something incredible, Dr. Estock and Rev. Joey Stewart, the Executive Director of Reformed Youth Ministries are bringing two great “tastes” (YXL and RYM) together to make something equally as incredible.  Ok…maybe not as incredible as the Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup because we all know that would be just about impossible but the new YXL leadership development track at RYM’s new mid-Atlantic conference is going to be awesome.

Several months ago, Rev. Stewart extended an invitation to Dr. Estock for CDM to join with RYM in the launch of their newest summer conference by developing a YXL leadership track for students who are looking to move to the next step in their faith journey.  After coming to the realization that both groups already shared a number of common commitments in terms of a theological, Gospel driven and relational approach to next generation ministry, the decision to join forces became in the words of Rev. Stewart a “no brainer” that would be a “win, win for all of us.” For RYM which has a long history of running solid summer conferences in which thousands of youth attend each summer, YXL gives them the chance to offer something that they have not been able to in the past: a leadership development track.  At the same time, YXL which has a long history of running smaller summer conferences focused on helping students grow as servant leaders, RYM gives CDM the chance to work with more students and have a potentially bigger impact in the local church.  While some of the dynamics that have made YXL East at Covenant College a unique experience for high school students will necessarily be changing the benefits of this new partnership will ultimately enhance CDM’s efforts through YXL to equip the next generation to serve in the church and in the kingdom.

Students who sign up to participate in the YXL leadership track will be able to take part in the larger activities of the conference but will have dedicated time each day for the intimate teaching and relational times that make the YXL experience so special.  The RYM theme this summer is “Abide in Christ” based on John 15:5 and the YXL theme is “Made for This” based on Ephesians 2.  We will be spending our time together unpacking and working to understand what our individual divine designs are.  As always, we will blend together biblical teaching with leadership activities to help students better understand who God has made them to be.

The dates for RYM’s Mid-Atlantic Conference are August 2^nd-6^th.  You can find out more information and register for the conference through RYM’s website: www.rymonline.org .  For those who still prefer the more traditional YXL experience both YXL Horn Creek and YXL Northeast are continuing as they have in the past.  You can find out more information regarding YXL Horn Creek at www.yxlhorncreek (Camp dates: July 4-11, 2015) or to learn more about the Northeast Camp in Lebanon, PA visit www.yxlnortheast.org/cms/ (Camp dates: July 5-10, 2015).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]