The Rev. Kevin Bartle, rector of St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, officially began his position as one of three new youth ministry coordinators for the Diocese of Central Florida on Jan. 1. But thanks to a last-minute invitation, he attended a Province IV Youth Ministry Leadership and Network Meeting held Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Schedule conflicts prevented his co-leaders, the Rev. Jared Jones and the Rev. Garcia Barnswell-Schmidt, from attending, but Bartle brought back more than enough inspiration and enthusiasm to share.

His presence at the province-wide meeting after a number of years with no representation from the diocese also conveyed an important message: The Diocese of Central Florida has a strong commitment to youth ministry and is eager to cooperate with others in placing the gospel at its center. Cookie Cantwell, longtime leader in Province IV youth ministry who serves at St. James, Wilmington, North Carolina, “actually broke into tears of joy, knowing that we were there,” Bartle said.

Prayer gathering before breakfast the first day of the meeting | Photo: Bishop Holcomb

Central Florida has a history of leadership in youth ministry; in fact, the national New Beginnings weekend youth retreat had its start here in the late 1980s. Those leaders who knew this history were especially excited to welcome Central Florida back, Bartle said.

Youth leadership representatives from each of the 20 dioceses in Province IV are invited to this annual meeting, held in a different location each year; leaders from 16 dioceses attended the November meeting. Although the gathering included prayer and worship along with games and activities, a central part of the experience was hearing from all the representatives about diocesan youth ministry in their context. Bartle told the group about how the budget for youth ministry in Central Florida has already increased, along with Holcomb’s appointment of the three youth ministry co-leaders.

Bishop Holcomb and wife, Lindsey, talk over breakfast with Rev. Bartle and Province IV youth. | Photo: Molly Hamilton

He also had a surprise encounter while there. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb and his wife, Lindsey, were attending a Province IV bishop’s meeting at St. Christopher’s that ended the day the Youth Ministry Leadership and Network Meeting began.

“They had breakfast with us one morning,” Bartle said. “All of our groups sat down at tables, split up with a bishop or two at each table, which gave a chance for the youth who were there to answer questions and share experiences with the different bishops of the province. So I got to sit with Bishop Justin and Lindsey, and they’re amazing. They asked some of the youth really wonderful, pointed questions, and they got great answers, and you could just see them being genuinely interested in what the youth had to say.”

Through the meeting, it became clear that some dioceses have made youth ministry a true priority, Bartle said, including the Diocese of Alabama, which has a committee called the Youth Department, made up of 11 youth elected by the youth themselves to represent the different deaneries. The department has seat, voice and vote at the monthly Diocesan Council meetings and sends two delegates to its annual Diocesan Convention.

A rope holding prayer requests; each color ribbon represents a different type of prayer. | Photo: Father Kevin Bartle

“Their Youth Department offers Christmas Camp for youth, a diocesan Youth Day and Episcopal Youth Community events throughout the year for all their youth age groups, everything from fun, ‘come and have a good time’ events to those that focused on deeper spiritual development,” he said. Even more impressive than the structure and ministries of Alabama’s Youth Department were the three youth who represented that diocese, whose Christian character humbled, challenged and, now that he has returned home, continues to inspire him.

His networking with other youth leaders has also continued, Bartle said. “I’ve been able to email them, call them and begin having a relationship with the youth leadership of other dioceses so we can figure out ways to support and learn from each other. I get some emails letting me know when they’re doing events so I can make sure to pray for them. … I think the trip was well worth it, including the chance to get back involved in the province and to let them know that we’re interested to learn from them.”

Now more than ever, he is convinced that great things lie ahead for youth ministry in the Diocese of Central Florida as he, Barnswell-Schmidt and Jones continue working together. He hopes to return to the Youth Ministry Leadership and Network Meeting next year, when it will be held in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, and to take others with him. “I’ve had so many youth leaders and rectors call me already to chat about youth ministry,” he said. “And they’re looking for answers, input and inspiration.

“What I’m noticing is that we have the energy and drive to get this going,” Bartle added. “It’s a heart that wants to be moved; it’s not like we’re going to have to pull teeth to get people to be interested in youth ministry. They are chomping at the bit to get going, so it’s really exciting to see what we might be able to do, and hopefully stay humble and keep the gospel at the center.”