Mike King

Sustainable Youth Ministry - Don't Miss This Training Day at Youthfront With Mark DeVries

What makes a youth ministry sustainable? How do you stay on the road to success? In the world of youth ministry, there are a handful of constant factors that thrive over the long haul. Our upcoming Youth Ministry Training seminar, Foundations of Sustainable Youth Ministry, introduces these factors and offers a strategic design for instilling these foundational patterns into the fabric of any youth ministry, regardless of its model.

Register for Foundations of Sustainable Youth Ministry

 

Join us April 11 as special guest Mark DeVries shares his expertise in youth ministry. Mark has trained youth workers across the US and and around the world, working with a wide variety of denominations. Mark is the author of a number of books, including Sustainable Youth Ministry. Register today!

Cost: $10 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Joe's KC BBQ lunch included.

Imagine Argentine - Youth Entrepreneurs on the Move...

Imagine Argentine is Youthfront's Social Entrepreneurship Program in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. Our aim is to equip middle and high school students to seek the common good of their city by bringing innovation and entrepreneurship to the most pressing problems facing their neighborhood.

  

On Thursday, June 28, at 6:30-8pm, these young entrepreneurs will be pitching their concepts to friends, family, community stakeholders and social investors for Imagine Argentine's Pitch Night. It will be held at Snack Shack KC, a social enterprise launched by a group of innovative teens who saw the need for a safe place for youth to hang out with their friends after school and a way to reduce urban blight by turning one of Argentine's many empty storefronts into a thriving new business. Join us to see what new ideas will bring about a greater sense of flourishing to their neighborhood. 

 

Snack Shack KC is located at 3112 Strong Ave. Kansas City, KS 66106 and shares a parking lot with South Branch Library.

Youthfront Youth Worker Training Event - Faith Formation in a Secular Age with Dr. Andy Root

Teen Staff - Make An Investment

For years, we have offered our Teen Staff program to high school students. It has been said to be one of our greatest strengths. This program is one element of our high school ministry. We believe, as many of you have said, that this program is a rich program that contributes to the spiritual growth of our teens in a way no other program can. 

 

As a result, we are dramatically expanding our Teen Staff program, not only at camp but also throughout the ministry of Youthfront. With the expansion of Middle School Camp programs moving to both Youthfront locations, the launching of a new Day Camp Program, the expansion of our Something to Eat initiative and other programs being developed, more opportunities are available for teenagers to serve. And, we can involve a lot more high school students in our Teen Staff program each week! It's a great win-win!

In order to grow, we have to fund this program. As with any program, Teen Staff requires significant resources to operate. To help us offset the significant ministry costs, we are creating a Teen Staff Fund where donors can sponsor a Teen Staffer. We need to fund each position at $100 per week. Teen Staff students are covering the first amount by contributing $25, leaving $75 that we need you to fill. Your $75 donation sponsors a Teen Staff position for one week. We have 700 positions to fill for the summer at all our camp locations. We need you. Will you consider sponsoring one week (or more) for a gift of $75 per week?

 

Youthfront is SO Excited to Co-Sponsor This Event on Racial Healing

Several months ago during my normal Sunday morning routine watching CBS Sunday Morning show this story moved me to tears. This is the Kingdom of God. 

 

These two, former convict Jameel McGee and former police officer Andrew Collins will be coming to Kansas City to tell their story and talk about racial healing. Please Come. 

 

When: Saturday, April 29, at noon 

 

Where: Macedonian Baptist Church

 

Register soon at http://forgiveandremember.org/ SPACE IS LIMITED

 

Saying is Believing: The Power of Testimony and Storytelling - Youthfront Youth Worker Training with Dr. Amanda Drury

When we talk about our faith, we become more faithful people. Dr. Amanda Drury will present about the power of our story. She'll share why and how it is important to create an environment where young people learn to tell their story and share their faith, to each other, to the church and to the world.

 

                       

A very special thanks to Museum of the Bible for sponsoring our Youth Worker Training Events:

           

Youthfront Expands Teen Staff Program. Meet New Youthfront Staff Members.

For years, we have offered our Teen Staff program to high school students. It has been said to be one of our greatest strengths. This program is one element of our high school ministry. We believe, as many of you have said, that this program is a rich program that contributes to the spiritual growth of our teens in a way no other program can. As a result of these dynamic realities, we are dramatically expanding our teen staff program, not only at camp but also throughout the ministry of Youthfront. Remember, our teens want and need to make a difference—this program allows that to happen. It is important for us to provide as many teens with the opportunity to do this. Now, with the expansion of middle school camp programs moving to both Youthfront locations, the launching of a new Day Camp Program, the expansion of our Something to Eat Initiative and other programs being developed, more opportunities for kids to serve are available. And, we can involve a lot more high school students in our teen staff program each week! It’s a great win-win! Now Meet two new Youthfront staff members who will be working year round with our Teen Staff youth.

 

"Even though I wouldn't have predicted that this would be my career path when I first started studying engineering at Iowa, I am confident that my new role of leading and walking alongside these students at Youthfront is the intersection where my passion has met God's will for ministry in my life." - Mac Maser Learn more about Mac here.

"I don't take it lightly that I get the honor and responsibility of being a person who gets to pour into these people for so many hours this summer. I am so ready to learn their names, hear their stories, and soak up all the beautiful things they have to offer this world." - Haley Stafford    Learn more about Haley here.

New Year's Thoughts From A Conversation Between Piglet and Winnie the Pooh

 

“How does one become a butterfly?' Pooh asked pensively.

'You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar,' Piglet replied.

'You mean to die?' asked Pooh.

'Yes and no,' he answered. 'What looks like you - will die, but what's really you - will live on.” 

YOUTHFRONT CAMP SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - REGISTRATION is OPEN!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a few announcements that 

we are excited to share with you:

CAMP IS EXPANDING!

For several years, we have been at maximum capacity at Youthfront Camp West. We are so very thankful for God's overflowing blessing. Youthfront leadership has been praying / thinking for a couple of years about how we can best steward the mission, families and churches that Youthfront Camp serves. After much deliberation and prayer, we are excited to announce that we are expanding! In addition to Youthfront Camp West, the Youthfront Camp experience will now also be offered at Youthfront Camp LaCygne.

This is a major and exciting decision for us as a ministry. We understand you may have some questions, but in the meantime, we can assure you that we will provide the same excellent programming, the same quality / trained staff and the same age appropriate experience at both of our camp locations.

• With this decision comes expansion and growth at Youthfront Camp LaCygne. We are adding numerous attractions (e.g. new Splash Park, Gaga Ball and more), improving cabins and adding a few other surprises that we are excited to announce soon. 
• In addition to our expanded Camp program, we are excited to offer special pricing for our Youthfront Camp LaCygne sessions. 
• We have also added a session for grades 7-9 to accommodate the many 8th graders who have expressed the desire to have a Middle School Camp experience one more year!!

CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!  

You can register NOW for any of our available Kids Camp or Middle School Camp sessions. Click here to view the Camp session calendars. Just a reminder: if you register by March 1, 2017, you will receive $15 Early Bird Camp Bucks to spend at Camp. If you are coming with a group, make sure to get your Group Hold code from your group leader before registering. Sessions will fill up quickly! Don't delay and register today!

An Amazing Opportunity for Young Adults Interested in Youth Ministry through the Iona Project at Cal Farley's

Cal Farley’s is an internationally renown residential community near Amarillo, Texas open to at-risk children ages 5 to 18. It is one of the best programs in the world for helping at-risk youth. Mike Wilhelm, Senior Chaplain at Cal Farley's, is a good friend and donor of Youthfront. Mike has brought several Youthfront staff to Cal Farley's for training staff. He has also brought Cal Farley residents to Youthfront camps. Mike is a giant of a man and an amazing spiritual leader. Mike launched a program called the Iona Project that is making a big impact.

The Iona Project is an innovative youth ministry internship at Cal Farley's (paid with benefits and housing). The program is currently in its third year. Participants live life together as an intentional community-- -fixed hour prayer - a weekly community meal - weekly spiritual formation - cutting edge trauma-informed childcare training - and soul-shaping Boys Ranch youth ministry responsibilities! Here's an important feature: The Iona community is comprised of 6 members: 3 gals and 3 guys. It is a one-year commitment with one guy and one gal being selected each year for a second year, to join with the 4 new incoming members. So there's an overlap built into the program that gives the community a seamless nature. Thus the beauty of the program is that it has great stability while at the same time considering the nomadic nature of unmarried millennials. Here's a sample of the things they do: Lectio continua: The community's 9-month consecutive read through entire Bible; Weekly lectio divina, utilizing the church calendar RCL readings; Group spiritual reading of Bonhoeffer's, "Life Together"; Group Enneagram work; No less than 56 hours of childcare training, that includes Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) and Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). Participants present a year-end reflection paper to the Cal Farley's leadership group. Those completing all requirements of the program receive a “Certificate in Spiritual Formation & Youth Ministry” from the Cal Farley’s Childcare Institute. Mike is currently recruiting now for 2017. If you know young adults who are looking for an amazing, challenging, yet rewarding opportunity, have them contact Mike Wilhelm - mikewilhelm@calfarley.org

Check out more details at beformed.org