NYMW conference resource/event to equip youth leaders by Olly Shaw
If you have never heard of the National Youth Ministry Weekend, it is basically what Soul Net or even Youth Work the Conference used to be. Probably in terms of content and delivery it’s somewhere between the 2.
It’s an opportunity for youth leaders from churches and charities to get together, worship and learn. I remember the first time I went having a bit of an Elijah moment and realising that there were way more people passionate about sharing Jesus with young people than I thought there were!
Previously it was held in Gas Street Church and then Resorts World Birmingham. The latter was a bit of a rubbish venue for the event to be honest (it cost a fortune to eat and there wasn’t much to do/anywhere to go outside of the talks etc. and accommodation near by was limited) Youthscape have heard that feedback and have now moved venue to The Eastside Rooms Birmingham. I’m not sure what it will be like but it looks a lot more central and its right next to a pub so that is a good sign.
I’m aware I’ve done a couple of Youthscape reviews recently and I’ve been positive in all of them. So, it’s with slight trepidation about sound like a poster boy for the charity that I want to heartily recommend it. Every year it has been excellent. The talks and session are varied and interesting. The sung worship is of a charismatic persuasion which some love and others are less sure about but is so nice to worship alongside other youth leaders. If you go as a team, you are actively encouraged to have social time together and there is no expectation to attend every session.
If you are thinking of checking it out or want to take a team away somewhere the I would very much recommend checking it out.
Tickets cost £109 per person (and you have to pay for your accommodation and food on top) so its not cheap but the conference always felt like good value to me (but then I was always staying in friends houses and the church paid for my ticket!). You also get full sized youth work resources included in your ticket which makes it even more worthwhile.
If you want more information about the event the check out their website:
https://www.youthscape.co.uk/nymw