Nita Hayword Honored at National Youth Worker Convention
Every year at the National Youth Workers Convention, Youth Specialties honors a youth worker with a surprise trip to the convention. This is always a touching moment. It is amazing to see a story of personal commitment to young people. It is powerful to come together as thousands of youth workers to celebrate and honor one of our own.
Tic Long asked me a few weeks before the convention if I knew of someone who might be in need of some restoration and someone who we could all celebrate and honor. I called Brad Fiscus, the Coordinator for Youth Ministries for the Tennessee Conference. I knew he would know just the right person. He did.
Nita Hayword, the youth director at 61st Avenue UMC was honored at the convention in Nashville last November. She has dedicated over 16 years to serving the children and youth of West Nashville. The following video captures Nita’s story and is a touching celebration of a wonderful woman who loves young people.
Gracie Schram, 11-Year Old Philanthropist to Speak at Youth 2011.
Gracie is a youth from Leewood, Kansas. God put a call on Gracie’s heart to serve a village in rural Africa through building a fishpond, providing the villagers with a source of food and income. Gracie, a singer and songwriter stepped out in faith to record a CD to raise money.
Throughout the Bible, God chooses seemingly ordinary people to carry out God’s work and plan. At Youth 2011, we will explore how God might use each of us to do extraordinary things. Youth will also be equipped with practical tools to help them discover and live out God’s call on their lives.
I hope you will consider bringing your youth group to Youth 2011!
Watch Graicie Shram
UM Youth pastor website.
umyouthpastor.org
This website is the product of a group of youth ministers who want to leverage their resources on behalf of the rest of the churches in the UMC. The free resources on this site include articles, artwork, message outlines, games, and even a series of ten minute training podcasts.
Starting Right Guide
This resource is for churches seeking to start a ministry with young adults. It offers practical information to get your church off on the right foot and prepare your congregation for this important ministry. Whether you are entering in ministry with young adults for the first time or looking to revitalize your ministry, this guide can help your congregation plan and prepare for effective and meaningful ministry with young adults.
Youth Minister’s Guide
This guide lifts up the strengths of our United Methodist beliefs and heritage in order to help leaders plan and organize ministries that lead and disciple young persons in Christian faith and practice in the United Methodist tradition. It will introduce those without a strong United Methodist background to the principles of the Wesleyan movement that serve as the foundation of the denomination. For those with a United Methodist background it is a reminder of these foundational principles. The guide also includes tips for using and adapting non-Wesleyan resources in your youth ministry. It can be used for personal development or as a training piece for your ministry team.
Download Youth Minister’s Guide
