Editor’s note: This article was written by Emma Richardson, who serves as the campus ministry associate at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
On Sunday, April 21, the Ignite Conference was held in Fort Smith. Ignite equipped those who minister to the next generation in our local churches. Preparations for this event began months prior when Phillip Slaughter, Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) campus minister at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and Jeff Thompson, associational missionary for Great Commission Baptist Association, met with youth pastors from various churches in the Fort Smith region to discover how they could assist their ministries. The group collectively decided an event geared toward equipping their volunteer adult leaders would greatly benefit their youth groups. East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith opened its doors to host the Ignite Conference and their church staff was heavily involved in preparing for the event.
Youth ministers from area churches encouraged their volunteers to attend this event in hopes of better equipping them for their ministry with 6-12th grade students. To accomplish this, six speakers were brought in to share about various youth ministry related topics. The event featured two insightful main sessions led by Dr. Richard Ross, a renowned speaker and author in the field of youth ministry. In the first session, he discussed how to have relational authority with students that influences them to live for Jesus. His second session centered on the process of moving students from knowing God’s Word to living out what it says.
Blaine Miller, student pastor at First Baptist Church in Charleston, said “Dr. Ross spoke to the heart of youth ministry in the relationships we have with the students. He did a great job of giving every person a deep understanding of what the students are going through in each grade, and how to best impact their lives in those moments.”
In addition to the main sessions led by Dr. Ross, attendees had the option to attend two of five breakout sessions. The breakouts focused on relevant topics in the context of youth ministry.
Arkansas Baptist State Convention Next-Gen and Discipleship Strategist Bill Newton gave a breakout session called “Being a Christian in a Hostile Culture.” This breakout covered topics such as bullying and sexual/gender ethics. Canaan Chapman, a minister with 15 years of experience in youth ministry, led a breakout called “Tech Savvy.” This session centered on using technology to aid ministry, educating parents of its dangers, and protecting students. Technology can be an amazing resource, but the dangers of it are rooted in sin. Damon McKenzie, LPC, discussed the mental and spiritual health of volunteers and students. Due to an alarming percentage of teenagers struggling with their mental health, youth workers need to be aware of how to handle these situations and conversations. Jared Farley, college & young adult pastor at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, shared how to create and foster a healthy small group. Finally, Jake Hunter, youth pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Vilonia gave practical guidance on building deeper relationships with both students and parents. These relationships can strengthen and grow a student ministry in drastic ways.
The Ignite Conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring the breakout session speakers. This discussion was led by Tyler Cloyde, youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Greenwood. Tyler asked the speakers specific questions that attendees sent in. The panel discussion allowed each youth leader to hear briefly from each breakout speaker and have any remaining questions answered.
Student ministry is not solely to prepare students for their adult life. It is about meeting students where they are to show them how to be evangelists for Christ in their school now, leaders in their church, and how to look more like Jesus every day. To do this, youth leaders must be equipped. They must know what their students are going through at school, their struggles, and what hinders their growth. Ignite allowed youth leaders to hear about relevant issues for their students while receiving tools and resources to assist them in their ministry.
Zach Rhodes, student pastor at First Baptist Church in Van Buren, commented that “Ignite Conference was a blessing to our volunteers! It was a challenge to check our own hearts and walk with the Lord before we lead students. It also equipped our volunteers with how to answer tough questions from students. I am grateful for the quality training our volunteers received!”
Hopefully, this is the first of many Ignite Conferences.