Purely Canadian Youth Workers Conference - November 2-4, 2012 

We're excited to host our 6th annual Purely Canadian Youth Worker's Conference. This conference is designed for those ministering to teenagers in Canada- for pastors and volunteers - in both urban and rural settings.

Since the beginning, we have not been afraid to tackle the biggest issues affecting youth and youth ministry today while giving you practical tools that you can use right away to be more effective in ministry.

Our theme this year is "Lighting It Up", and our special guests, speakers and presenters will be sharing on issues such as sexuality, legal issues, the digital world, pre-teen ministry, small groups and discipleship. For a complete list, check out the Breakout Session titles below.

Sid Koop - Conference Main Session Speaker
Sid is married to Jen and they have two very active boys, Payton and Cole. Sid's primary ministry passion is helping students see the supremacy of Christ in every matter of life and faith, through His Word. When he is not doing that in his local church setting, he is traveling across Canada speaking to students and youth leaders with Truth Matters Ministries.

For more details click here to download the conference brochure.

Late fees kick in after October 19!

Note: If you prefer to register on a paper form, a registration form is a part of the downloadable brochure. Print that out and send it to us via fax or mail. For registration and contact information, e-mail Al Mertes, Professor for Youth Ministry at Prairie Bible College. For more information about Prairie's Youth Ministry programs, please click here.

Breakout Sessions (See Brochure for Schedule)

How to Keep Your World Lit Up
How to not Suck at Youth Ministry - Danny MacKay
7 things that will keep you from failing at youth ministry. I'll talk about time in the Word, Prayer, Submitting to your leadership, Being in a network, Serving the poor, Taking time off, and Managing discouragement.

Lighting Up Passion in Your Teens
Helping Teens Fall in Love with God - Matt Wilks

When Lightning Strikes and the Red and Blue Lights Show up at Your Door
Legal Issues in Youth Ministry - Wayne Smele

Lighting Up Your Students in a Digital World
The Good & Bad of Being Connected 24/7 - Al Mertes

Lighting Up Your Small Groups
Essentials for Every Small Group Leader - Wayne Smele

Lighting Up the Way for Preteens
The Great Years Before Junior High - Lynae Igel
Discover a ministry for the in-be-tween. The transition period from children to youth can be a crucial and rewarding ministry in the Church.

Letting God Light Up Your Path
When God Calls, Will You Follow? - Ken Lehman
We will focus on the example of the early disciples who once hearing Jesus’ call, followed. We will explore how to develop spiritual ears that recognize the voice of the Master along with the importance of submission on the journey in the shadow of the cross.

The Light Might Explode Here
Junior High Ministry? - Simon Ng

Lighting Up the Prayer Life of Teens
Helping Them Hear the Voice of God - Danny Mackay
An interactive workshop where we explore different ways to engage God in corporate prayer and learn how to break out of the typical ‘3 or 4 lead out and I’ll close’ prayer meetings and empower youth to experience God and minister to one another. Listening prayer, unison prayer, etc.

Shining Light into Dark Places
Dealing with the Crap in Teens Lives - Matt Wilks

Lights Shining Across our Country
What's Happening in Youth Ministries in Canada - Al Mertes

When Light Shatters the Mundane
Creativity, the Key to Lighting Up a Lesson - Lynae Igel
Identify and implement attributes needed in communicating your message to engage kids in this generation.

When the Light Grows Dim
The Traps of Pornography - Sid Koop

Lighting Up Your Community with God's Love
Changing Your City One School at a Time - Simon Ng

Lighting the Way for Others
Being the Small Group Leader God has Called You to Be - Ken Lehman
We will focus on the example of Jesus as how he led by example, never asking of others what he did not demonstrate himself, as well as wrestle with the call of the Apostle Paul to “follow him as he followed Christ; concluding with the importance of “doing life together” in the environment of journeying together.

Leverage Technology in your Youth Ministry
Using Current Technology to Streamline your ministry - Ken McIntyre
This workshop is aimed at youth pastors, lead youth workers, and administrative junkies. The 3 major areas we will delve into are: 1. Communication 2. Administration 3. Productivity. We will look at cheap, user friendly technology that will suit virtually any youth budget. The goal of this workshop is that each participant would walk away equipped with new ideas to immediately implement in their ministry environments.