An Ecumenical Training Forum for Youth and Children's Ministry
All church leaders, including staff and volunteers, are invited to attend

April 14–15, 2023

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Omaha
15050 West Maple Road • Omaha, NE 68116

GATHER AT THE WELL

Bring your colleagues and volunteers to a relaxed, two-day training event in Omaha, Nebraska. What nourishment will you seek? How might you refill your resources to support the young people and their families in your ministry setting? Join us on April 14–15, 2023 at St. Andrew's UMC.

Gather at the Well is a different kind of ecumenical ministry training event. We're providing relevant training that you can immediately use in your youth and children's ministry setting.

Late registration accepted through Wednesday evening, April 12. Discounted registration ends April 5.
Can't attend both days? Use the following coupon codes to attend just part of the event:

FRIDAY30 to just attend Friday, including lunch and dinner (30% off)
SATURDAY50 to just attend on Saturday, including lunch (50% off) 

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS

Great Plains UMC Conference
Ministry Leadership Initiative
The Center for Youth Ministry Training
St. Andrew's UMC (pictured above)

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SCHEDULE

• FRIDAY SCHEDULE:
• 10:00 - Opening Devotion on Friday with Matt Vaughan and the St. Andrew's Worship Team
• 10:30 - Workshop 1A and 1B
• 12:00 - Break for lunch (included, from Hy-Vee)
• 1:00 - Workshop 2A and 2B
• 2:30 - Afternoon Break, Exhibits and Games Open
• 3:00 - Workshop 3A and 3B
• 4:30 - Break 
• 4:45 - Afternoon Devotion
• 5:30 - Dinner (included, from Chipotle)
• 6:30 - Panel Discussion on Mental Health with Young People led by Jake Wiese and other professionals
• 7:30ish - Adjourn for the evening and fellowship opportunity
   
• SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
• 9:00 - Fellowship and breakfast prepared by faithful volunteers at St. Andrew's UMC
• 9:30 - Opening Devotion on Saturday with Ed Ostlund and St. Andrew's Worship Team
• 10:15 - Workshop 4A and 4B
• 11:45 - Lunch (included, from Chick-fil-a)
• 12:30 - Workshop 5A and 5B
• 2:00 - Closing Worship
• 2:30 - Adjourn

WORKSHOPS AND INSTRUCTORS (this will be updated)

• 1A: Pioneering a New Youth Ministry
  Led by Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford from Great Plains Conference (NE/KS)
• 1B: Reach One More – How Everyday Conversations Can Open the Door to the Gospel
  Led by Allison Dykhouse from Christ Community Church, Omaha, NE
• 2A: Retooling and Crafting Curriculum for Your Ministry
  Led by Jake Weise from St. Andrew's UMC in Omaha, NE
• 2B: Framing the Future in Your Ministry
  Led by Andy Dykhouse from Camp Rivercrest, Fremont
• 3A: Dungeons, Dragons, and Dodgeball: Entry Pathways for Discipleship with Young People
  Led by Emily Nelson Dixon from Rolling Hills Presbyterian in Overland Park, KS
• 3B: Capturing the Butterfly Effect in Your Ministry – Change that Lasts
  Led by Ed Ostlund from First UMC, Waverly, NE
• 4A: Introducing Young People to a Call to Ministry
  Led by Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford from Great Plains Conference (NE/KS)
  
• 4B: Campus Ministry Showcase Showdown
  Led Great Plains Campus Ministers
• 5A: Incubating Leadership: From Timid to Tenacious Teens
  Led by Matt Vaughan from Ministry Leadership Initiative
• 5B: Engaging Young People with Multiple Intelligences and Making Learning Fun
  Led by Rev. Nancy Tomlinson, UMC District Superintendent
• Plus, a forum on Mental Health with Young People with a panel of professionals
  Offered as an optional Friday evening Q&A discussion for all participants

QUESTIONS? 

Contact Matt Vaughan or Ed Ostlund for more information, or to request an invoice if you are paying by check. One-day coupon codes are available, listed above.

THEME

Our theme is "Gather at the Well," based on Jesus' engagement with a woman at the well in John 4. We'll gather for supportive conversations about what it means to be a youth and children's ministry leader in 2023. What are the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in our fragmented world? We'll explore this together.

Look for more updated information on this registration page as the event gets closer!