On Sept. 14, we will be meeting at Central Baptist College (CBC) for the 7th Annual Student Ministry Workers Retreat (SMWR). It is all about learning more about student ministry and connecting with others with a similar passion. There will be goody bags, snacks, giveaways, worship, breakout groups and more. Your registration takes care of your lunch, as well as a day full of training. You can register at SMWR2024.eventbrite.com.
In addition to great teaching, the first 100 attendees will receive a goody bag with a selection of free ministry books to help them in their work of discipling their students. We also provide lunch and snacks throughout the day. It is a bargain at $30 per person. We also have college/seminary pricing and special prices for CBC students and faculty. Those registered after Aug. 27, are not guaranteed a t-shirt.
The theme for 2024 is “Discipleship.” Our breakout leaders include: Heidi Sorrrells, of Healthy Church Solutions & South City Church; Yalanda Merrell of Lifeword; Wade Allen of Temple Baptist Church of Rogers; Dr. Philip Attebery of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary; and Stuart Estes from the University of Arkansas Association of Baptist Students. They will be providing insight and resources to help you as you seek to disciple your students and churches.
The featured speaker for 2024 is Dr. Owen Strachan is provost and research professor of Theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary (GBTS),. Before coming to GBTS, he served as associate professor of Christian Theology and director of the Residency Ph.D Program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He earned his Ph.D from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, his M.Div from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his AB from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
He is married and the father of three children. Strachan has authored numerous books, including Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind, The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (with Kevin Vanhoozer) and Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel — and the Way to Stop It. Strachan is the former president of the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, the former director of The Center for Public Theology at MBTS and is the president of Reformanda Ministries.
What is There Not to Love?
By Mike Hoke, Youth Pastor • Grace Baptist Church, Russellville
What is there not to love about retreats — great speakers, great door prizes, great worship, wonderful people to spend the day with who love God and students, and of course there is food provided!
On a more serious note, the retreats offer an opportunity for networking with other youth ministry workers, where we can gain ideas and share struggles with others who understand. When we started attending the retreats, we were new youth directors that did not know where to start. The people I met at the retreat prayed for us and gave us ideas for planning. Our church encouraged us to network with local youth ministers in our association and this retreat provides us with that. The speakers do a phenomenal job delivering God’s Word to us, and their messages are relevant and applicable to what we do in our ministry and life.
Retreat is Even Good for Volunteers
By Rachel Burns, Youth Volunteer • Temple Baptist Church in Rogers
As an alumnus of CBC, I have been familiar with the Student Ministry Matters (SMM) fall workers’ retreat for several years. But this past year was the first time I truly got to attend the retreat as a participant, instead of a set of helping hands at the college. Since becoming a volunteer with my youth group at Temple Baptist Church in Rogers, the retreat for student ministry workers became even more important to attend. I greatly enjoyed my day, as we worshiped our Lord and talked about Him and how to reach His children with the gospel.
One of my favorite things about the Student Ministry Matters Workers’ Retreat is the breakout sessions. This year, we had one breakout session, and they were so interesting it was hard to choose between the three options. I ended up going to a breakout by Angelyn McMurray with We Are Free. Her lecture focused on what sex trafficking is and what it can look like today. She opened my eyes to the tremendous force of evil that has swept across the world to our front door. She helped me realize it is our responsibility to report suspicious activity and to stand up for those who are trapped in the hands of the oppressor. I would not have learned about this widespread tragedy if it weren’t for her explanation of the system and what it can be like. She also explained what her ministry does, and how they liberate women and children from the chains of sexual trafficking and help them start a new life.
Sometimes, I get so bogged down with the mundane that I forget I have the potential to truly impact these teens. Going to the conference reminded me that my role as a volunteer is important, and that my presence has meaning to the students at our church. Even though I am just a volunteer, I can fill in the gaps my youth pastor cannot always reach, such as when we are doing small groups or even as we are walking across the building to leave. The words I say and the things I do provide an example of how to follow Christ. It is important that my footsteps are aligned with Christ’s, and my relationship with God has experienced growth since I have volunteering with my church’s youth group and since attending the SMM fall retreat.
It was encouraging to be surrounded by others who are passionate about the education of the youth in our communities. SMM also put together a bundle of learning materials of diverse backgrounds. I was so grateful for the abundance of written resources Student Ministry Matters gave me to grow my faith and my understanding of the kids I am helping guide to Christ. I walked away from the retreat feeling equipped spiritually, emotionally and physically, not to mention stuffed full of amazing food provided by the college cafeteria. I thank Dan Carson for his organization of the conference and for refilling the cups of youth pastors and volunteers like me.
