2008 Youth Unlimited Convention Seminars
Right the Wrong (Isaiah 1:17)
Montana State University Bozeman, Montana July 25-29, 2008

GENERAL SEMINARS LISTED BELOW
(CLICK HERE TO GO TO COMPASS 21 LEADERSHIP SEMINARS FOR ADULTS)

“A Friend in Need” the basics of peer counseling
Jeff Gorter and Mary Lier
Learn how to use the Biblical model of compassion as a guide to supporting friends who are struggling.  We will focus on the skills of “how” and “when” to intervene appropriately.
Jeff Gorter is the National Account Manager for Crisis Care Network in Grandville, MI.  He has 19 years of clinical experience and specializes in counseling teens, families and treating substance abuse issues. 
Mary Lier is a counselor at Pine Rest in Grandville, MI.  She has been practicing for 18 years.  She counsels children, teens and families and specializes in treating anxiety disorders.

Another Way of Doing Life
Shane Claiborne
Some of us need to be reminded that we are not crazy… or at least that we are not alone.  Christians are meant to be radical non-conformists, interrupting the patterns of our world with prophetic imagination.  Discussion on social justice and peacemaking designed for those who believe that another world is possible. Shane will share stories of contemporary communities who are living with great creativity.  After all, the Kingdom of God is not just something we hope for after we die, but something that we are to live out on earth as it is in heaven.  Let’s turn off our TVs, pick up our Bibles, and rethink the way we live. Shane Claiborne author of The Irresistible Revolution (Zondervan) is a prominent activist and sought after speaker.  He is one of the founding members of The Simple Way, a community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connect radical faith communities around the world.  Shane serves on the board of directors for the Christian community Development Association, and in his down-time is quite a dynamic circus performer.

Becoming Dragon Slayers
Jason Lief
In the book of Revelation, John tells us we live in a world full of “beasts” and “dragons”.  Where are they?  What are they?  The purpose of this seminar is to wrestle with the imagery of Revelation so we might discover our calling to become “dragon slayers”. 
Jason Lief is Instructor of Theology and Youth Ministry at Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA.  He taught Bible and history courses at PellaChristianHigh School in Pella, IA, and also coached baseball and girls’ basketball.  Jason is married to Tamara and they have three children, Naomi (6), Christian (4) and Savannah (11 months).

C4-Igniting the Next Generation
JR Pittman
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… IGNITE!  Are you ready for detonation…?  You may be tired of the same old stuff and you need radical transformation or revitalization to take place in your life?  You know that God uniquely created you but you’re anxiously waiting for Him to ignite something in your situations and circumstances.  Whatever the problem may be; you do not have to walk alone anymore.  JR Pittman, Pastor and Evangelist will help ignite the C4 in you in your life, helping you to reach the destination where God is sending you.  This workshop is about how to aggressively pursue a “mentor” which every young person needs in their life for today and tomorrow.
JR Pittman has been married to his breathtaking wife Evette for over 17 years and has two wonderful boys; Joshua and Noah.  He has attended CornerstoneUniversity… and is an ordained minister.  He is presently the lead pastor of the HUB Ministries located in West Michigan where he is equipping a new generation of families and young men and women who are getting to their destinations. 

Chill Out and Hyper Down-Workshop
Jeff Gorter and Mary Lier
Today’s teens face stressors their parents never even dreamed of facing. Attend this interactive workshop to identify teen stressors, learn practical survival skills, and why sometimes life just throws you a “rubber chicken.”   
Jeff Gorter is the National Account Manager for Crisis Care Network in Grandville, MI.  He has 19 years of clinical experience and specializes in counseling teens, families and treating substance abuse issues. 
Mary Lier is a counselor at Pine Rest in Grandville, MI.  She has been practicing for 18 years.  She counsels children, teens and families and specializes in treating anxiety disorders.

Everyone's Battle for Purity
Joey DeKoekkoek
A candid look from men's perspective on understanding sexuality the way God intended.  Issues of dating, pornography and pop culture will be discussed.  This seminar is open to everyone, but will be leaning heavily towards men and men specific issues.
Joey DeKoekkoek has been in full-time professional youth ministry for the past 18 years. He has been the youth director at Grace CRC, Kalamazoo, MI for the past several years.

Girl Talk
Dawn Geschiere
What do women really want? Wouldn’t we all like to know? Is there really an answer? Let’s get together and talk about guys, dating, sex, romance, clothes, friends, the future, etc., etc., etc.
Dawn Geschiere is the Compass 21 Coordinator at Youth Unlimited. She is a wife and the mom of five wonderful children ages 10-21. Dawn also loves to speak, write and spend time with youth.

Girls and Guys Open Forum
Dawn Geschiere and Joey Dekoekkoek
Did you go to “Everyone’s Battle for Purity” by Joey or “Girl Talk” by Dawn?  Do you have questions about relationships?  Maybe you’ve discovered something new in what guys think about girls, or what girls think about guys.  Joey and Dawn sit down together to lead a forum that tries to bring this all together and answer some important questions about relationships between guys and girls.
Dawn Geschiere is the Compass 21 Coordinator at Youth Unlimited. She is a wife and the mom of five wonderful children ages 10-21. Dawn also loves to speak, write and spend time with youth.
Joey DeKoekkoek has been in full-time professional youth ministry for the past 18 years. He has been the youth director at Grace CRC, Kalamazoo, MI for the past several years.

Leading and Loving It
Dawn Geschiere
There’s a leader inside all of us. Whether you’re extremely shy, extremely outgoing, or somewhere in between--this seminar offers real ways to take leadership no matter who you are or where you are. We’ll watch a few movie clips and talk about what it really means to lead others.
Dawn Geschiere is the Compass 21 Coordinator at Youth Unlimited. She is a wife and the mom of five wonderful children ages 10-20. Dawn also loves to speak, write and spend time with youth.

Let’s Talk Friends
Jolene DeHeer
Ever wonder why some people have more friends than others?  Or worry about what you will talk about on that first date?  Learn tried and true communication techniques that will help you have and be a friend as well as help you with the first date dilemma.
Jolene DeHeer has been involved in youth ministry for over 25 years as a youth leader and conference & retreat speaker.  She has co-authored a series of devotionals for teens called “Devotions to Go”.

Overcoming the Junk
Jolene DeHeer
Junk happens!  Everyone experiences times when life seems to be too much to handle.  Learn how to overcome the junk and even use it to make you a better person even bring glory to God.
Jolene DeHeer has been involved in youth ministry for over 25 years as a youth leader and conference & retreat speaker.  She has co-authored a series of devotionals for teens called “Devotions to Go”.

Radical Discipleship
Jason Lief
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?  How does being a disciple affect the way we live in the world?  During this seminar we will examine Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler in Luke 18 and we will wrestle with these and other questions. 
Jason Lief is Instructor of Theology and Youth Ministry at Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA.  He taught Bible and history courses at PellaChristianHigh School in Pella, IA, and also coached baseball and girls’ basketball.  Jason is married to Tamara and they have three children, Naomi (6), Christian (4) and Savannah (11 months).

RIGHT THE WRONG – Catch the Vision
Jolene DeHeer
Here’s a question for you – how can you make a significant difference in the world?  Discover the purpose for your life as you explore and catch the vision of who you are and what you are called to do – right the wrong. 
Jolene DeHeer has been involved in youth ministry for over 25 years as a youth leader and conference & retreat speaker.  She has co-authored a series of devotionals for teens called “Devotions to Go”.

Special Agent 2100
JR Pittman
Each of us have an assignment to fulfill but do not have a clue what that assignment is.  You have walk around all these years and still are oblivious of your duties.  Well, I am here to put you back on track to give you your assignment while breaking it down in detail.  Your name is “Agent 2100”.  Your objective is to bring “Truth and Justice” to a decaying world.  Your targets are “the sick, the weak, the hungry, and the poor”.  Remember “Special Agent 2100” you are not of this world so it is critical that you pay very close attention to your instructor and guide, JR Pittman, Pastor and Evangelist.  If you do not accept this assignment you just missed your opportunity to transform a life for eternity… this message will self destruct by July 2008.
JR Pittman has been married to his breathtaking wife Evette for over 17 years and has two wonderful boys; Joshua and Noah.  He has attended CornerstoneUniversity… and is an ordained minister.  He is presently the lead pastor of the HUB Ministries located in West Michigan where he is equipping a new generation of families and young men and women who are getting to their destinations

The Christian and Movies
Joey DeKoekkoek 
An interactive seminar taking a look at movies, why we love them, and what their message is, and is it God's message.  This seminar may forever change the choices you make and how you watch movies. Joey DeKoekkoek has been in full-time professional youth ministry for the past 18 years. He has been the youth director at Grace CRC, Kalamazoo, MI for the past several years.

The Crayon Box That Talked - Is Getting Along Enough in this World of Colors?
Carena Shannon, Randi Vorhees, Jamari Pickens, Denise Fase
This workshop will challenge teens (through various activities) to take a look at their own personal stereotypes, see the world as God would see it, look at the differences of the people around them, and learn to celebrate those differences. Then put together a plan of action on how to change their world in their area.
Carena Shannon, Jamari Pickens and Randi Vorhees are all graduates of the GRIL U leadership program based out of Grand Rapids, MI.  These young people have a heart for God and often lead trainings for teens, children and adults in the area of diversity, leadership and spiritual development.  Denise Fase has been in youth ministry for many years and is the Director of GRIL U.

The Fence-busting Holy Spirit in Acts
Ted Boswell
Tracing how God led (sometimes drop kicked or whacked) the early church to cross social/geographic/racial barriers in the Book of Acts, creating a template for a global and mind-bogglingly multi-ethnic church. The line runs from Pentecost to the Greek speaking widows to the Ethiopian eunuch to the Samaritans to the Gentiles, as God does whatever it takes to help his followers change  gears (with stumbles and backsliding) from an exclusive chosen ness to a sacrificial welcome ness toward the whole world.  
Ted Boswell has himself been exploring the adventure of missions and helping others to for 35 years, at Michigan State University, in Southern California, at summer camps, in Nigeria, Japan (14 years), and now the west side of Chicago where he teaches religion in an urban high school. Ted has one wife and three kids.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Ted Boswell
Social Justice in the History of Missions, this seminar illustrates how the spread of the gospel over the centuries has inevitably and vitally been involved in issues of social justice --- sometimes wonderfully, sometimes with mixed results, and sometimes with tragedy and ugliness. All three kinds of illustrations can help us now to be humble, hopeful, and careful thinkers as we continue to face such challenges. Ted Boswell has himself been exploring the adventure of missions and helping others to for 35 years, at Michigan State University, in Southern California, at summer camps, in Nigeria, Japan (14 years), and now the west side of Chicago where he teaches religion in an urban high school. Ted has one wife and three kids. 

The Scandal of Grace (or Extremists for Love)
Shane Claiborne
With new eyes can we look at people we don’t even like and see the One we Love?  Let’s imagine a revolution that is gentle and magnetic, a revolution big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free.  With hard stories from the streets of Philly and the war zone of Iraq, Shane will invite us to reflect on the scandal of God’s inclusive love… in a world that is starved for grace.  
Shane Claiborne author of The Irresistible Revolution (Zondervan) is a prominent activist and sought after speaker.  He is one of the founding members of The Simple Way, a community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connect radical faith communities around the world.  Shane serves on the board of directors for the Christian community Development Association, and in his down-time is quite a dynamic circus performer.

Traffic Jam
Dawn Geschiere
Sex happens--so does sex trafficking and prostitution. You can’t right the wrong if you never hear about the wrong. You’ll be confronted with the realities of sex trafficking here in North America and in other countries. Change also happens—and you’ll be given real ways to right the wrong.
Dawn Geschiere is the Compass 21 Coordinator at Youth Unlimited. She is a wife and the mom of five wonderful children ages 10-20. Dawn also loves to speak, write and spend time with youth.

Who? Me? Right the Wrong through Missions?
Ted Boswell
Come to an interactive seminar and explore two things: First, how missions can foster social justice, and second, where YOU may (or may not) fit into God's global adventure of missions.
Ted Boswell has himself been exploring the adventure of missions and helping others to for 35 years, at Michigan State University, in Southern California, at summer camps, in Nigeria, Japan (14 years), and now the west side of Chicago where he teaches religion in an urban high school. Ted has one wife and three kids.

Writing, Journaling, and Poetry
Jason Taylor
Come and learn how to grow in your relationship with God through the written word.  Whether you want to start keeping a journal, write poetry, or just make creative doodles about your faith, Jason will lead an interactive presentation that will help you begin recording your own experiences with God.  Already a writer?  Come and share something you’ve learned from your own creative endeavors. 
Jason Taylor is a requested comedian and speaker around the country.  He’s performed everywhere from church basements to the USA Network in New York City.  Jason’s hilarious one man show was won Best Short Play at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and he’s been touring with it ever since.

Your Past Makes You, BUT It Doesn't Control You
Carena Shannon, Randi Vorhees, Jamari Pickens, Denise Fase
Has your past felt like a cloud that exists right over you – everywhere you turn or any time you try to move forward it holds you back?  Come to this seminar and learn about how to let go so that it does not control you.
Carena Shannon, Jamari Pickens and Randi Vorhees are all graduates of the GRIL U leadership program based out of Grand Rapids, MI.  These young people have a heart for God and often lead trainings for teens, children and adults in the area of diversity, leadership and spiritual development.  Denise Fase has been in youth ministry for many years and is the Director of GRIL U.

COMPASS 21-LEADERSHIP SEMINARS FOR ADULTS

Adolescent Discipleship: Developmental Oxymoron or Mandate of the Church?
Chap Clark
Every veteran youth worker knows that one of the most significant changes in discipling kids over the last few years is how difficult it is to find even mild consistency in their growth. It is just flat-out harder today to get kids who say they belong to Jesus to actually live out that faith in the everyday. This seminar will help you to realize how the changes in adolescence has affected everything we do in youth ministry. Not only will you learn why kids are the way they are today, but you will be provided a theologically-grounded and developmentally appropriate plan for taking middle and high school students deeper in their faith. 
Chap Clark is associate professor of youth, family and culture and director of youth ministry programs at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.  A gifted trainer-teacher and energetic speaker, Chap’s diverse ministry, leadership background and training, authentic style, and use of humor have won him the ability to speak to all ages, groups, organizations and backgrounds..

Energizing Your Students Through Missions
Duane Smith
This seminar will give you practical tools for planning and facilitating an effective mission trip.  Are you a volunteer youth leader with limited time for planning?  The seminar takes leaders through a practical plan that details all the necessary steps for choosing and planning a youth experience.  
Duane Smith is the Executive Director for Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services, a leadership development group that has coached 65 churches with redefining and empowering their youth ministries.  Drawing upon his 27 years in youth ministry development, Duane also serves as the Youth Ministry Leadership Consultant for the Great Lakes Region of the Reformed Church. 

Faith Formation in Teenagers: exploring the multiple images of a kaleidoscope
Darwin Glassford
This interactive workshop will seek to define "faith formation" and explore the implications of the proposed understanding for youth ministry. Significant time will be spent sharing ideas, activities and resources for use in ministry.  Darwin Glassford serves as Associate Professor of Church Education at Calvin Theological Seminary and Book Review Editor for the Journal of Youth Ministry.  He enjoys reading Paste, riding motorcycles and serving as a youth ministry volunteer at Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids, MI.

HURT: Inside the World of Today Teenagers
Chap Clark
In the book of the same title, Chap Clark details the results of a year long study of a wide demographic of high school kids all across the U.S. and Canada.  In this seminar Chap will briefly describe the reasons for his study, outline the methods used, and present in detail the eye-opening results of the team’s study. In addition, suggestions will be presented for how parents, teachers, and especially youth workers can counter the effects of systemic abandonment.
Chap Clark is associate professor of youth, family and culture and director of youth ministry programs at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.  A gifted trainer-teacher and energetic speaker, Chap’s diverse ministry, leadership background and training, authentic style, and use of humor have won him the ability to speak to all ages, groups, organizations and backgrounds.

One Size Doesn't Fit All
Duane Smith 
It's a spin off from the "Redefining" seminar, recognizing that all students are at different points in their spiritual development and therefore, our approach must be multi-faceted. 
Duane Smith is the Executive Director for Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services, a leadership development group that has coached 65 churches with redefining and empowering their youth ministries.  Drawing upon his 27 years in youth ministry development, Duane also serves as the Youth Ministry Leadership Consultant for the Great Lakes Region of the Reformed Church. 

Redefining Youth Ministry In Today’s World
Duane Smith
This seminar looks deep into some of the changing paradigms within youth culture and how we, as youth pastors and leaders, must change and adapt our approach, without compromising the truth of God's word.  The goal is to help youth leaders discover practical ways to remain relevant in a rapidly changing culture. 
Duane Smith is the Executive Director for Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services, a leadership development group that has coached 65 churches with redefining and empowering their youth ministries.  Drawing upon his 27 years in youth ministry development, Duane also serves as the Youth Ministry Leadership Consultant for the Great Lakes Region of the Reformed Church. 

The Battle for the Leaders Mind
Tiger McLuen
Tiger will share some temptations that tend to distract leaders from their mission.  In an honest and candid look at ministry, this session will challenge and encourage leaders to honestly consider their own battles and see how God can restore some focus in their lives. 
Tiger McLuen is the President of Youth Leadership in St. Paul, MN.  Youth Leadership’s mission is to “educate, equip and encourage leaders in youth and family ministry.  Tiger is a parent of four children, an instructor of youth ministry at both Bethel and Luther Seminaries in St. Paul, and a former youth pastor.  Tiger has been involved in youth ministry for 30 years and enjoys training volunteer and professional youth workers, parents of teenagers and speaking at youth events throughout the country.

The Crayon Box That Talked - Is Getting Along Enough in this World of Colors?
Carena Shannon, Randi Vorhees, Jamari Pickens, Denise Fase
This workshop will challenge you (through various activities) to take a look at your own personal stereotypes, see the world as God would see it, look at the differences of the people around you, learn to celebrate those differences and put together a plan of action on how to help your teens change their world with regards to the celebration of the box of crayons that we live in.
Carena Shannon, Jamari Pickens and Randi Vorhees are all graduates of the GRIL U leadership program based out of Grand Rapids, MI.  These young people have a heart for God and often lead trainings for teens, children and adults in the area of diversity, leadership and spiritual development.  Denise Fase has been in youth ministry for many years and is the Director of GRILU.

Qualities of Effective Youth Ministry Leaders
Tiger McLuen
This session will look at qualities and characteristics in leaders and ministries that impact students beyond the ordinary.  Using a New Testament text, this session uses a Bible study methodology to uncover key principles for effective ministry to teenagers.  This is an introduction to youth ministry principles to reach young people today.  
Tiger McLuen is the President of Youth Leadership in St. Paul, MN.  Youth Leadership’s mission is to “educate, equip and encourage leaders in youth and family ministry.  Tiger is a parent of four children, an instructor of youth ministry at both Bethel and Luther Seminaries in St. Paul, and a former youth pastor.  Tiger has been involved in youth ministry for 30 years and enjoys training volunteer and professional youth workers, parents of teenagers and speaking at youth events throughout the country.