2016 Youth Ministry Retreat Schedule Released

The North Georgia Conference plans and leads retreats for teenagers throughout the year. The remarkable thing about these retreats is that they are specifically designed as opportunities for the leaders of a church's youth ministry to focus on the relationships with youth, while leaving the setup, administration, planning -- the mechanics of the retreat -- to the Conference team and volunteer staff. 

Each retreat utilizes excellent speakers and leaders, and the planning team is has many years of experience in carrying out spiritually focused retreats. Here's what's planned for 2016

'Pieces' Confirmation Retreat (Feb. 19-21) will focus on the five vows United Methodists make when agreeing to follow Christ -- prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We also help the youth understand what it means to be a United Methodist and how being a "connectional church" is a blessing.

'Mirrors' Spiritual Life Retreats (Feb. 26-28, March 4-6, and March 11-13) bring more than 300 youth together on three different weekends to worship, dig deeper in the message, and understand how God is proving support and direction in the spiritual journey. 

Youth Summer Mission Trip to The Bahamas (May 29-June 4) is coordinated through conference Bridges partners. Each year we plan at least one week-long trip for teenagers to experience serve and missions in The Bahamas through Bahamas Methodist Habitat. It's an excellent and safe way to do international missions.

Youth Delegation to Annual Conference (June 6-9) will be seated front and center (as always!) at Annual Conference 2016. Youth delegates are selected by their district as lay at-large members. The youth delegation spends each day serving as voting members in the decision-making process of our Annual Conference. 

Fall Confirmation Retreat (Sept. 23-25) will focus on building unity in the church's confirmation class and helping students recognize how God has already been involved in their lives - even before they knew it. Youth will share their faith stories and learn about prevenient grace. 

Fall Rooted Retreat (Sept. 30 - Oct. 2) will highlight the things that help our faith group deep. The retreat helps express to youth groups that they are an integral part of nurturing the seeds of faith that are planted in the lives of teenagers.  

Find information about these retreats and youth ministrin in our Confrence at www.ngumc.org/youth.