YOUTH WORKERS WEEKENDS
WHAT IS YOUTH WORKERS WEEKEND?
YWW is designed with volunteer and paid youth workers in mind. The YWW Planning Team meets throughout the year to think through how we can provide an opportunity for youth workers to be refreshed, to be trained for the work God has called them to, and to connect with others for encouragement and ideas. We'd love to have you join us at the ARC in Osceola, WI for this weekend retreat!
WHAT ARE THE SESSIONS ABOUT FOR YWW 2025?
This year's theme is "Deepen" and we will provide sessions to walk attendees through what it looks like to Deepen their relationship with the Lord, Deepen their understand of the congregation, Deepen relationships with students, Deepen their cultural awareness, and Deepen their relationship with parents. Additionally, there will be various opportunities for coaching, small group discussion, and strategic planning on a variety of youth ministry related topics.
WHAT IS THE THURSDAY ADD ON?
This add-on gives attendees an opportunity to extend their weekend a little longer. You'll have a room at the ARC to stay in on Thursday , but for 2025, no meals will be provided, and no additional sessions or training will take place. Some who come on Thursday coordinate with other attendees to play games and coordinate meals (we love extroverts!). Others take advantage of this time for a solitary retreat (we love introverts!). And others will organize their own extra activities, like heading to Trollhaugen for skiing or snowboarding or heading to a variety of antique or thrift stores. The Thursday add-on is intentionally unplanned to give you the flexibility to make it worthwhile for you.
Speakers
Pr. Dennis Norby is a pastor at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND. He will be sharing with YWW on Friday evening with a session on Deepening your Relationship with God.
Pr. Jon Langness is one of the pastors at Shiloh Church—-an AFLC church in the Rapid City, SD area. He will be giving the first Saturday morning session, which will be about Deepening your Understanding of the Congregation.
Dr. Ken Castor is our second Saturday morning speaker on the topic of Deepening your Relationships with Students. Ken is the general editor of the Make a Difference Youth Bible. He is also the NextGen Pastor at Wooddale Church, a Bible teacher, and a ministry trainer. He worked as the “Blue Letters Editor” of the Award-winning Jesus-Centered Bible and has written numerous resources like Grow Down, and the Bible Trivia Devotional. See more at https://kencastor.com.
Dr. Dan Hurner is a pastor at Dalton Free Lutheran Parish in Dalton, MN. He will be sharing with YWW on Deepening your Cultural Awareness on Saturday evening.
Pr. Matt Nelson is the Head Pastor at St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. He will be Deepening your Relationship with Parents during the first Sunday morning session.
Mr. Jordan Langness is the Youth and Family Ministry Director at Hope Free Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, MI. On Sunday morning, during the final session of YWW, Jordan will be sending us off as we head back to our families, congregations, and communities.
