Churches Go Back to the Future

“I learned so much about being a godly parent.”

 

“This was really not about my kids. It was more about changing me and my relationship with God.”

 

“The lessons were profound.”

 

Comments like these dominated the fellowship during last week’s “Back to the Future” Florida Regional Conference of Youth Ministry.

 

More than 150 church leaders, parents, teen workers, mentors, and youth shepherds spent their weekend “sitting at the feet” of Adrian Hill, London Church of Christ Minister, and Dave Pocta, Chicago Church of Christ Youth and Family Minister.

 

Representatives from churches in Florida, from Columbia, South Carolina, and from the church in San Juan, Puerto Rico, traveled to South Florida for this youth and family ministry conference.

 

Hill (pictured on left) drew on his vast experience working with families (he and his wife have six children, all of whom are faithful Christians!) and wisdom from the scriptures to drive home humble yet deeply moving lessons about “The Power of Love.”

Using charts that detailed disturbing cultural trends, Pocta (pictured below) delivered the sobering truth that only God’s Word and His Spirit combats Satan’s attacks that isolate teens and destroy families. Each of the speakers taught that Christians can have hope, even in desperate and discouraging times, when we stay close to God and submit to His will for our lives.

This year several of our churches will hold regional youth and family ministry conferences like the one last week in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In April 2009, Chicago, Illinois will host the second International Conference of Youth and Family Ministry.

You can purchase all the inspiring and informative lessons from “Back to the Future” (FRCYM 2008) for a minimal cost at www.southfloridamediacenter.com  Downloaded lessons available in English or Spanish (adjust right or left balance to choose language).