More than 400 youth workers gathered Sept. 13-14 at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn., to learn more about developing the spiritual lives of students in their groups. The three-day event kicked off with music from Addison Road, Lee Thomas Miller and Brandon Heath.
Derwin Gray, a former NFL player, encouraged the youth workers to share the story of God’s glory with the world. Currently, Gray serves as lead pastor at Transformation Church in Fort Mill.Derwin Gray, a former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, encouraged the youth workers to share the story of God’s glory with the world.
“God wants us to aim higher,” said Gray, founder and lead pastor of Transformation Church in Fort Mill. “The living God, the great I Am, wants to energize our lives and our students’ lives so that we will echo
his
story through all eternity.”
Gray shared insights on how his multigenerational, multiethnic congregation integrates students into the life of the church.
“Our students are not the leaders of tomorrow,” he said. “Our students are the leaders of the church now. Our youth are involved in most aspects of our worship service, from helping with production to serving in the worship band.”
Immerse students in the life of the church, Gray said. “Students are not in a separate game. Include them in the whole game.”
Sessions included teaching from Jeff Iorg, president of Golden Gate Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif., and Ben Arment, a church planter from Virginia.
The conference also featured 22 breakout sessions, offering conference attendees classes relevant to their specific church setting. – LifeWay