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Why come?

If you do youth work – any type of youth work – we think you are amazing. We know how much it takes to pour yourself into the lives of young people day after day, week after week, and we want to give you something back.

Reasons why you should join us

  • Take time-out – where else can you get spiritual input just for you and leave the youth group at home!
  • Find fresh vision – space to meet with God and hear what He is saying to you
  • Hear great Bible teaching – from inspirational speakers, giving your faith real nourishment
  • Get encouraged - to persevere under pressure, no matter how high the obstacles seem
  • Pick up tips & resources – plus loads of ideas and practical advice that you can put to use straight away.
  • Meet others in the same boat – pool ideas, share advice and simply make some great friends
  • Get refreshed - personally, over and above your role as a youth worker

You’ll also become part of the growing community of leaders who want to learn, worship, create, be together and converse around the big issues facing young people, youth work and the church today.

The Theme – Lumen: Shine Brighter

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the light of the world.’ Not you ought to be, or you will become, or try harder to be…But you are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others to show them who God is.

Whether we like it or not, the way that people will see what the kingdom of God is like is by looking at us, the people of God, at the way that we live, the hope that we have and the difference that Jesus makes to our lives. How can we ensure that our light shines as brightly as it could? How can we be a shining light in the lives of young people and in our communities?

At Youthwork the conference 2012, as we look into what it means to be a ‘shining light’ in the lives young people, together we’ll delve deep into:

  • Leadership – what does it mean to be a leader?
  • Mentoring - how can we help young people fulfil their potential?
  • Spiritual Formation – how can we help young people become mature disciples of Jesus?
  • Church – how do we engage young people with the church?

This November we want you to be yourself equipped with new skills, inspired with renewed passion and filled with fresh energy for what God has called you to.

 

What's On

1 - Big Room

Big Room

  • There will be four main sessions across the weekend where we all come together to encounter God, get inspired, worship freely and respond. Through worship, prayer and teaching, you can enjoy some time away from the pressures of work, to listen to God.

    Over four sessions we'll explore how we make our light shines brightly - lives that make people ask 'what's going on here?'

    1) Jesus

    It's because of him that we do what we do. We'll remind ourselves about the upside-down nature of Jesus' ministry and how we need to stay connected to him.

  • 2) Walking in the light - Romans 12: 8-14

    John says that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. In this session, we can be honest about our brokenness, bringing it to the cross, asking Jesus to heal and restore us. Only then can we shine brighter because there's nothing in the way of Jesus shining through us.

    3) Another world is possible - Isaiah 58

    Isaiah said that if people worked for justice and truth, then their light would break forth like the dawn. How can we shine a spotlight on the values of our culture and expose the lies? This session will encourage you to discern the voice of the Spirit and discover new ways of doing things that reflect the nature of God.

  • 4) Live open, generous lives - Matthew 5:14-16

    To be a light on a stand or a city on a hill is to be visible, exposed and vulnerable - the kind of life that Jesus lived and the kind he invites us to live with him. This session will take an honest look at the costs and benefits of being generous with our lives, of opening ourselves up to those in need.

2 - Keynote

Keynote

This is your chance to hear from someone who will challenge your thinking about the future and how we lead. They will provoke you to think in new ways and stimulate you to change your youth work practice.

2012 keynote topic and speaker are still to be confirmed so watch this space…

3 - Zones

Zones

  • Our zones provide an opportunity to go deeper in teaching, discussion and practical application in four key areas:

    • Leadership – what it means to be a leader
    • Mentoring - how we help young people fulfil their potential through intentional one-to-one relationships
    • Spiritual Formation – how we help young people become mature disciples of Jesus
    • Church – how we engage young people with the church, and engage the church with young people

    We will look at these issues from our point of view as youth workers and also think about how we apply them to our young people.

  • Shedding light on leadership

    Jesus modelled and talked about a different kind of leadership. How do we deal with our temptation to use power wrongly and to find our identity in our status and position? How do we teach young people to be strong servant leaders?

    Spiritual formation – living as children of light

    In a world of shallow relationships, rewards with little effort and superficial affirmation how do we enable young people to choose delayed gratification, discipline and perseverance?

  • Church – a city on a hill

    We’re called to be communities that shine with the presence of Christ but too often our churches seem stuck in a rut! How can we stay as part of the church, and yet find space to model something different? How do we get our congregations to appreciate the value and potential of young people, and to let young people shine?

    Mentoring - walking in the light

    John tells us to walk in the light, and to deal with the darkness in our lives (1 John 5:5-10). How can we make sure that we are growing in holiness, being good role models whilst being honest and vulnerable at the same time? How do we help our young people to be honest about their temptations and to overcome them?

4 - Seminars

Seminars

We offer a wide range of seminars designed to give you insight into some key areas of youth ministry.

Debates, discussions, lectures and workshops will each offer different ways of looking at everything from culture to mission and evangelism, schools work, church-based work, plus big issues and personal development.

2012 seminars are still to be confirmed so watch this space…

5 - After Hours

After Hours

Get into the swing of things and meet up with other delegates on Friday and Saturday night with our late-night entertainment.

Last year we had a discussion giving delegates the chance to quiz our expert panel on youth work issues, plus chocolate tasting and an alternative worship night with well-loved DJ, DJ Steach.

2012 acts still to be confirmed so watch this space…

6 - Exhibition

Exhibition

  • Our exhibition is a youth work-focused 'one-stop-shop' for ideas, resources, books, CDs, DVDs, Bibles and general inspiration from specially selected organisations all with a distinctly youth work flavour.

    Interested in exhibiting?

    If you or your organisation work in the area of youth work or you offer a resource or opportunity that's relevant to youth workers, we would love to hear from you. If you're looking to introduce yourself to an audience of youth workers of all ages across the UK - this is your chance!

  • What's on offer?

    You can choose from:

    • exhibition space
    • literature display (low cost option)
    • pop-up banner display
    • main session advertisement slots

    Our exhibition is managed by Essential Event Management, so if you're interested, please sign up for their exhibition alerts (you can select several other exhibitions in addition to this conference).

  • More info

    If you have any questions regarding exhibition stand availability or prices, please contact Alice at info@essentialeventmanagement.com or call her on 01825 746535.

Team

Rachel Jordan

Rachel is national mission and evangelism adviser for the Church of England and works with the diocesan missioners and many others with a special calling for mission and evangelism. She has a PhD in church history, has worked amongst prostitutes and drug addicts.

Wendy Beech-Ward

Wendy is director of Spring Harvest. Wendy and her team work with literally thousands of others to develop the teaching and worship programme for the event. She loves music, hanging out with friends, Twitter and shoes!
Connect with Wendy

Pete James - Worship

Pete is the worship director at St Thomas’ Church Philadelphia in Sheffield, where he is also involved in coaching worship leaders both on his team and elsewhere. He plays at events in the UK and abroad.
Connect with Pete

Damian Wharton

Damian is director of church and schools resources for Youth For Christ. He leads a dynamic and creative team who together produce a variety of high quality resources that are used in thousands of churches and secondary schools in the UK. Damian is married and has 3 children.
Connect with Damian

Paul Weston

Paul is church leader of New Generation Church Sidcup. Previously Paul has been involved in the leadership of Pioneer and 24-7 Prayer. He enjoys skiing, is married to Paula, and they have 2 children. Paul is on the Spring Harvest Theme Group.
Connect with Paul

Patrick Regan

Patrick is founder and director of XLP which works with young people and families in some of the most diverse and challenging settings of inner city London. Patrick is passionate about seeing places of trouble become places of hope. He is on the Spring Harvest Theme Group.
Connect with Patrick

Rachel Gardner

Rachel is director of Romance Academy and trains youth professionals across the UK to deliver relationships and sex education based on biblical wisdom. Rachel has over 10 years of experience as a school outreach youth worker and has written several books.
Connect with Rachel

Jason Gardner

Jason is youth pastor at St Peter’s West Harrow. He also speaks and trains on emerging generation issues and for ten years conducted youth culture research at the LICC. He has co-authored Rise. one way.one life. one master with his wife Rachel.
Connect with Jason

Hollin Cross

Hollin has recently finished a leadership course with Soul Survivor Watford and now works for a school in Eastbourne. She previously worked for the Evangelical Alliance on their 18-30s project.
Connect with Hollin

Jenny Baker

Jenny is director of the Sophia Network and has previously been acting festival director of Greenbelt. She is the author of 16 youth work resources and is on the board of Tearfund.
Connect with Jenny

Jon Jolly

Jon is the children's and youth team leader for Arun Community Church in Littlehampton, Sussex. He is a qualified youth worker with over 12 years experience of developing community-based activities and loves to see churches engaging with their local area.
Connect with Jon

Ali Campbell

Ali is the advisor for work with children and young people in the Diocese of Chichester, seeking to equip leaders and support the local church as it passes on the faith to the next generation.
Connect with Ali

Blog

Prices & Book online

If you want to hook up with fellow youth workers, hear great Bible teaching, get encouragement or just take time-out - book online now for the weekend conference plus the extra Retreat Day.

Full weekend

£80 – Early Bird Rate – until 31 May 2012
£90 – Saver Rate – until 30 Sep 2012
£95 – Standard Rate – 1 October onwards

Retreat Day

£55 (Add to a full weekend booking for just £45)

Day passes

£10 – Friday evening only (6-11.30pm)
£50 – all day Saturday (8.30am – 11.30pm)
£45 – all day Sunday (8.30am-2pm)

Discounts

  • Younger leaders (16-18 yrs) - you pay just £70

  • Book 5, pay for 4 (Share the saving - that's £72/£76 each at the different rates)

  • Save £10 when you book the Retreat Day and whole weekend together

» Book online here

Travel & Sleeping

This year's conference will be held at The Congress Theatre & Winter Gardens, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4BP.

Your conference ticket price doesn’t include accommodation, but there
is a wide choice of nearby hotels and B&B accommodation.
 

Travel

The conference centre is a few minutes walk from Eastbourne rail station, which has direct connection to London Victoria. If you pre-book your train tickets, you can sometimes get favourable fares for London to Eastbourne, from www.southernrailway.com.

Sleeping

Our friends at the Eastbourne Accommodation Bureau have special discounted rates especially for you - and they’ll manage the booking! Simply contact the lovely Liz Attwell on 01323 647130 or email her on accommodation@eastbourne.gov.uk and she’ll sort it!

Sleep for really cheap

If you're looking to come to the conference on a tight budget, you might be interested in the offer of Church Hall Floor accommodation at Community Wise in Eastbourne. It's definitely a low budget option - the cost is £7.50 a night which also includes breakfast.

To book your place please call Community Wise directly on 01323 722924. Places must be reserved in advance and are offered on a first come, first-served basis. 

Important notes about Community Wise accommodation

  • Payment is taken on arrival
  • Bring your own sleeping bag/mat
  • There are toilets and sinks but no shower facilities
  • Please arrive after the Friday night Main Session (10pm onwards), as the church runs a Friday night youth group
  • Community Wise, Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1PY Conference centre is BN21 4BP, get walking directions here

Retreat Day

Someone once said that the reason we don’t listen to God enough is because ‘we’re too tired, too busy and too late’.  If that’s true for anyone it’s true for youth workers.  Many of us have the pressure of a over full diary added to the desire to change the world.

So if you’re feeling like you need a bit of space to replenish your energy and feed your soul, join us at the Retreat Day to go deeper with God with others who are in the same boat.

» Book for the Retreat

The Retreat Day takes place for 24 hours before the main conference begins. It's open to all youth workers, whether full time time or voluntary/part time.

Practical Details

Starting at 4pm on Thursday, the Retreat Day runs until 4pm Friday. It costs £55 – but you can save £10 if you are booking into the whole weekend. The cost includes a meal on Thursday evening and lunch on Friday, as well as refreshments throughout the 24 hour retreat.

The 2012 Retreat Day will be held at All Saints Church, Grange Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4HE.

Contact

If you have questions that aren't answered on the website, want to make a suggestion about how we can make the conference even better, suggest a speaker or just want to say hi, drop us a line using the form over there.

Youthwork the conference
PO Box 50
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 1ZG

Call us on 01825 746535 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)