Grow & Gather at the Well
A Training Event for Youth and Children's Ministry Leaders
All church leaders, including staff and volunteers, are invited to attend

September 15–16, 2023

Old Mission United Methodist Church in the Kansas City Area
5519 State Park Road • Fairway, KS 66205

REFILL YOUR RESOURCES WITH OUR GROW & GATHER EVENT

How is your ministry? Things certainly have changed a lot over the last three years, haven't they? Maybe you'd like some new ideas and support... and you found this event. We're glad you're here!

You're invited to "Grow & Gather at the Well," an ecumenical training event for youth and children's ministry leaders on September 15–16 in Kansas City. The cost is just $75, which includes two days of instruction and two meals. Join us at the Grow & Gather event to be equipped for ministry this fall!

Bring your colleagues and volunteers to a relaxed event hosted by the Center for Youth Ministry Training and Ministry Leadership Initiative. We're returning to Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, Kansas, where we welcomed over 30 participants from five states in 2022. Refill your resources to support the young people in your ministry at Grow & Gather at the Well.

Our instructors are members of UMC, PCUSA, and ELCA congregations. We are extraordinarily pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu as our opening speaker on Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM. Dr. Liu served as a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and Drew University, and recently joined the Great Plains UMC team as Emerging Faith Communities Cultivator.

This ecumenical event is sponsored by CYMT, MLI, and Great Plains United Methodists. We're providing two tracks of relevant training that you can immediately use in your youth and children's ministry setting. All are welcome.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS

Ministry Leadership Initiative
The Center for Youth Ministry Training
Great Plains UMC Conference
Old Mission United Methodist Church 
(actual Old Mission UMC classroom photos shown)

QUESTIONS? 

Contact our planning team (Matt Vaughan or Emilyjane Eichman or Ed Ostlund) with any questions, for group or lodging help, or to request an invoice for paying by check.

Discounted registration ended September 7 (extended!).
Late registration accepted through Friday morning, September 15.

Can't attend both days? Use the following coupon codes to attend just part of the event:

FRIDAY to just attend on Friday, including dinner ($25 discount)
SATURDAY to just attend on Saturday, including lunch ($25 discount)

EVENT SCHEDULE

• FRIDAY SCHEDULE:
• 12:30 - Registration Open at Old Mission UMC (enter on west side of building)
• 1:00 - Opening Devotion in the Sanctuary with Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu
• 1:30 - Break, registration continues
• 1:45 - Keynote Workshop #1 with Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu
• 3:15 - Afternoon Break, refreshments provided
• 3:30 - Workshop 2A and 2B
• 5:00 - Break 
• 5:30 - Dinner (included buffet, from Chipotle)
• 6:30 - Panel Discussion on Mental Health with Young People (with expert facilitators)
  • Including Carissa Welsh, LSW from Lawrence High School and Scout DeSimio, Residential Program Manager for PrideHaven Youth Shelter
• Prior to 8:00 - Adjourn for the Evening
   
• SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
• 9:00 - Opening Devotion
• 9:30 - Workshop 3A and 3B
• 10:45 - Morning Break, coffee available
• 11:00 - Workshop 4A and 4B
• 12:15 - Lunch (included catered sandwiches)
• 12:45 - Workshop 5A and 5B
• 2:00 - Debrief and Closing Prayer
• 2:30 - Adjourn

WORKSHOPS AND INSTRUCTORS (updated on 9/8)

• 1All: Believing We Have What We Need
  Led by Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu from GP UMC Conference
• 2A: Creating a Rhythm of Best Practices in Ministry
  Led by Rev. Melissa Gepford from Great Plains UMC Conference
  
• 2B: Thriving in Ministry After the First Two Years
  Led by Rev. Zach Walker from Village Presbyterian Church
• Evening forum on Mental Health with Young People with a panel of professionals, including Carissa Welsh and Scout DeSimio
  Offered as a Friday evening Q&A discussion for all participants
• 3A: Strategies in Leadership: Anyone Can Lead, At Any Time!
  Led by DJ Whetter from the Kansas Leadership Center
• 3B: Recruiting and Nurturing an All-Star Volunteer Team
  Led by Emily Nelson Dixon from Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church
• 4A: Terrific Teaching Tips from a Master Teacher
  Led by Victoria Lynch, Instructional Coach with Shawnee Mission Schools
• 4B: Excellent Events and Building Budgets
  Led by Eddie Erwin from the Center for Youth Ministry Training
• 5A: Your Authentic Self: Intentionality as a Ministry Leader
  Led by Matt Vaughan from MLI and CYMT in Prairie Village, KS
• 5B: Retooling and Crafting Curriculum for Your Ministry
  Led by Emilyjane Eichman, Dir. of Student Ministries at Old Mission UMC

CONSIDER JOINING AN MLI COHORT!

After the event, consider joining an MLI cohort for advanced learning! Cohorts of up to 12 youth and children's ministers meet in-person for two years of quality instruction, with meals and lodging. MLI combines theological education, practical ministry training, and expert coaching.

Jake Wiese, commissioned by MLI in 2021, said this about the cohort experience:

"I know that I would not be able to succeed in my role without the MLI program. I am more confident and energized about ministry to young people than I have ever been! The classes, coaching, and the relationships I've made through MLI have given me vision, confidence, and practical tools to be a more effective minister to our church's families."

Ministry leaders commissioned in the program have higher satisfaction in their jobs, so they stay longer. Ministry becomes more meaningful to young people and attendance often doubles. Succeed in your own cohort! Learn more about the MLI cohort program online.

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