Youth In Ministry: The Big Picture

Another great conference on the wonderful campus of Milligan College in East Tennessee. Recently I've been wrestling with where my life is going. I can't live at home forever. I need to make a change here sometime soon. Being a concerned youth leader, I of course wanted to go on this trip to be there for the students; althought that's not where my complete motive was. I wanted to learn a little more about what it means to be a minister or pastor. I wanted to see what vocational ministry looked like.

So I went there desiring to learn, just as much as I desired to be there for the students. What a great conference. There is none like it. I've been to CIY, I know what it's all about. CIY does a great job at their gig. But The Big Picture is a totally different conference, and they do a great job at what they do too. From classroom teaching where the students receive practical information for their field of interest, to experiencing the spiritual disciplines together; this conference had it all!

As much as this conference is about gaining a better look at vocational ministry, The Big Picture goes deeper than that. Youth in Ministry seeks to allow students grow deeper in their walk with the Lord. We literally had a mountaintop worship experience where we were led to worship our creator. Another time during the week we got to celebrate in a meal of remebrance where we got to sit together, break bread, and to laugh and cry. We spent the hour just sharing with one another what we remember about Jesus.

Did I mention the fun? Our time this week had a lot of fun things involved too! From the waterslide down the hill, to the picnic in the park for supper, to showing of the two-man version of the musical "Star Queen" telling the story of Esther.

This conference had it all. I would definately encourage students to go to this conference. This isn't like any other conference. This one is designed for those students who are rock solid in their faith, and are incredibly serious about growing deeper with the Lord, and those who are open to hearing his call. if I haven't said it enough already, this isn't like any other conference.