Father Davis

Folks often hear about camps, drills and CrossFit training that can help athletes take their game to the next level. Well, there are also resources that help youths and adults take their spiritual aspirations to the next level.

The Canterbury Retreat and Conference in Oviedo will once again hold a youth ministry training for those who feel it may be their calling. The latest event is Gearing Up: Tooling, Fueling and Equipping You for Effective Fruitful Youth Ministry on Aug. 4-5.

The two-day event will provide inspiration, understanding and know-how for staff youth ministers, adult volunteers, and college and high school students involved in youth ministry. The Rev. Canon Terry Reisner, who is Canon for Youth Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, will serve as keynote speaker. He is a 13-year veteran of youth ministry, serving small- and large-based programs in churches in Arizona, Florida and Texas.

“There have been other youth-ministry training events at Canterbury in the past,” said the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, executive director of the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center. “As a matter of fact, the first event ever held at Canterbury was a youth leader training.”

Davis said the target audience for this year’s event will be people who work in youth ministry: parents, volunteers, church staff, and students in leadership. “We are focused on the (Central Florida) diocese, though we might get a few folks from other churches,” he said. “Therefore, it would be great if every church in the diocese sent at least one person. I would say our numbers shall realistically be 50 to 100, in that ballpark.”

Attendees will learn a variety of methods to aid in their youth ministry, including connecting with youth and finding ways to impact their lives in schools and their communities; helping kids who may be indecisive about their spirituality and becoming brothers and sisters in Christ; making ministry enjoyable without losing efficiency; tackling tough issues in a sometimes troubled society; building a powerful youth ministry team; and discovering methods that are successful in other religious entities.

“The common denominators among attendees will be their desire to grow in their effectiveness in ministry to young people,” Davis said. “So, I imagine, given the landscape, we will mainly see volunteers.”

No matter the demographics, the demand for effective youth ministers is great for a number of reasons. “Youth ministry is one of the toughest ministries in the church,” Davis said. “In other ministries, you tend to have some stability. Every year in youth ministry you graduate leaders and take on rookies. It is the natural process, but this can be challenging.

“Making the gospel and discipleship relevant and a priority is a challenge, as well,” Davis said. “There is so much competing for the attention of young people, and to be a Christian is becoming increasingly countercultural.”

Registration is being accepted. Cost is $75 for double occupancy, $110 single occupancy overnight rate; $55 commuter rate for Friday night and Saturday; $30 Saturday only, and includes lunch. Sign-up includes materials and meals. Scholarships also are available by calling Davis.

To register, call Canterbury at 407-365-5571, email Sue Grosso at sue@canterburyretreat.org or sign up online at https://clear-give.com/egive3/index.cfm?page=eventDetail&ID=322001040&eventSessionID=11009&LocID=322001&refresh=true