(May 24, 2012)

United Methodists train youth leadership at Centenary

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church will hold its 2012 Youth Leadership Training at Centenary from June 1-3. The training will reflect the Conference's focus of "Building up Leaders for Building up the World" and aid those who teach and foster the youth of the United Methodist Church.

"Centenary College is in the business of 'Building up Leaders for Building up the World' so we are excited about once again hosting the Conference Committee on Youth Ministry's Leadership Training workshops," said Reverend Warren Clifton, Director of Church Relations. "One of our guiding principles is to serve the youth of the Louisiana Annual Conference by teaching them what practical Christian leadership looks like, in hopes of forming the churches and church leaders of tomorrow."

Youth representatives and two adults from each church in the Conference attend the annual session as well as newly elected officers and representatives of the Louisiana Conference Council on Youth Ministries and the District Committee on Youth Ministry.

Workshop options are offered for both youth and adult district leaders in the Louisiana Conference. Youth programs include Student Athlete, Prayer for Friends and Enemies, You Wanna Lead a Small Group, and Leading the Ship. Adult leaders will engage in sessions on Safe Sanctuaries, Signs of Trouble in a Youth, and Discipline in a Large Group Setting. Participants will also share worship and prayer throughout the three-day session.

Beyond the workshops and training, the youth leaders will elect a conference committee in coordination with the Louisiana Annual Conference, which begins June 3 on Centenary's campus.
Centenary alumni and students involved in the training as participants and workshop leaders include Kellan Klaus, Reverend Sarah Williams Shoup '02, Reverend Chris McLain '05, and Missy Wise '09.

For more information, visit the United Methodist Youth Leadership Training 2012 webpage or email Jodi Harper, Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church Director of Youth Ministries, at email.