When I was serving in Oklahoma City I had a group of other youth workers that met once a week for donuts, devotions, and to talk. Sometimes we did nothing but hang out. Sometimes we planned events together. We’d occasionally go speak to each other’s groups, or help each other out with projects we were working on. One year we all went to NYWC convention together and piled 8 or 9 of us into 2 hotel rooms (beware the Nashville Ramada…stay away!). It was truly great. I not only felt like I had colleagues in the area, I had Friends that understood my ministry. It was truly a blessing. One thing about it, though, we all served within the same denomination. We didn’t do this intentionally, it’s really just that others didn’t really want to participate.

When I moved away, this is what I missed most of all.

It may help to start within your own denomination or groups you affiliate with just so there’s some sort of tie that’s pre-existent…that helps. That is, of course, if you’ve got anybody like that locally.

I sincerely hope you’re able to find a group to fulfill what you’re looking for.

Just remember, nothing artificial.

We’re currently finalizing workshop subject matters. If you have any suggestions for what you think a volunteer youth worker needs to be trained in, let me know. We all have input from our own volunteers, but I’d love to hear your thoughts, too, since you seem to have them laid out pretty well.