Florida Baptists Well Represented at Conclave Conference
Florida Baptists were well represented at Conclave, an annual youth ministry conference, which drew 800 student ministry workers from multiple states to be equipped and encouraged in their work.
The conference, which took place at the Chattanooga Convention Center from Jan. 24th to the 26th, is done in cooperation with the Baptist Conventions of Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The Florida Baptist Convention [FBC] took part in Conclave in an official capacity for the third consecutive year.
Several Florida Baptist ministers led sessions at Conclave. Joel Morgan, youth pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pace, led a breakout titled 5 Relationships That Matter in Student Ministry. Morgan’s breakout discussed how ministry is all about relationships, so ministers need to learn to grow and develop them, especially the ones that are a priority, like God, our families, our students and other leaders.
BJ Hurse, next gen pastor from First Baptist Church in Ocala, lead a breakout titled Ministering to Students in a Crisis. In his session, Hurse shared how his church ministered to students and faculty after a school shooting took place just across the street from the church building.
Jimmy Scroggins, pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach, spoke from the main stage during the conference’s second session. In his message Scroggins encouraged youth workers saying: “I believe student ministry is the tip of the spear in North America. It is vital in our churches.” Scroggins also led a breakout on how to share the Gospel using the 3 Circles evangelism message.
Lance Courtney, youth pastor at North Pointe Church in Lutz, attended Conclave for the second time this year. “What I enjoy about Conclave is the moments to unplug from the regular grind of daily ministry [and] learning from other leaders and connecting with fellow youth pastors.”
Morgan has attended Conclave over 15 times and for him it’s about fellowship, encouragement, and learning. “I have been attending Conclave for many years now,” he said. “I love reconnecting with old friends and making new ones and the encouragement I receive from the worship and speakers is always uplifting and fresh. I truly believe that this conference is an amazing resource at a wonderful price.”
“Joining with excellent student ministry leaders from fellow state conventions displays our cooperation and ability to provide excellent training and encouragement to our youth workers,” said Billy Young, Next Generation Ministry Catalyst for the FBC.
Dates for Conclave 2020 are January 23-25. Next year’s registration information will be available at ymconclave.org.
By Billy Young, Florida Baptist Convention, February 1, 2019