Here is the list of breakouts coming to SPARK 2019!
Check back often as more details and breakouts will be added!
Girls Only: Discussion Panel
- YMT female youth members and Dawn Landman (facilitator and YMT volunteer adult advisor)
Join other girls as we discuss topics that matter to you! You will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear feedback from other girls who are in the same boat. We want to provide a safe environment for all young women to share their questions, however, questions will be monitored by an female adult advisor.
Guys Only
- Pastor Ross Pryor, Pastor of West Washington UMC and Jefferson Avenue UMC
I Want to Know More About the Conference Youth Ministry Team!
- Wiley Bozada and other Youth Ministry Team members
Join members of the conference youth ministry team and find out more about what the YMT does and who they are. Play some games and activities and get answers to questions like, "What is the YMT?" "How do I join?" "What types of things do you do?"
About Wiley:
Wiley serves as the YMT Vice President and has lots of great ideas about YMT. He is a senior in high school in the Avonworth School District. He is on the swim team and loves serving his community. He loves coordinating the dodgeball tournament at SPARK every year as well!
Zimcamp 2019
- Sandra Matoushaya, Zimbabwe Partnership Coordinator
Come and get more information about ZimCamp 2019! Join other youth and travel to Zimbabwe and experience life in another culture this summer.
About Sandra:
Sandra Matoushaya is a native of Zimbabwe and coordinates the Western PA Zimbabwe Partnership. She has always had a desire to help as many people as she can, in particular people from Zimbabwe. After receiving her Masters degree in international development, she had hoped to work for an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or non-profit to gain experience that could be applied in Zimbabwe. But God had other plans for her by providing the opportunity to work on the Conference staff. With the partnership not only does she assist in fundraising for projects in Zimbabwe, but helps to build relationships between Christians in both her native land and the United States.
Fully Connected: Mark 11:12-14
- Big Al Cherry, SPARK 2019 DJ
About Big Al:
As a child, music was an escape route into a limitless realm of comfort and joy to Big Al Cherry. This medium was the tool that God used to draw him into a relationship with the Lord. He actually accepted salvation in his bedroom while listening to gospel music. Since that time, his singing ability became an expression of his love for Jesus Christ.
During his college career at Grambling State University, the Lord allowed him to serve as praise and worship leader for a campus ministry and a local church. After accepting the call of God to youth ministry, big AL served his home church as youth pastor for more than a decade. Simultaneously, big AL took on the role of educator. In addition to music and preaching, he served as the mathematics department head of Richwood High School, teaching Geometry, Trigonometry, AP Calculus; and administering dual-enrollment for the University of Louisiana-Monroe in College Algebra, Calculus I, Statistics, and Psychology. big AL used the classroom as an extension of his ministry to be an example and role model to youths in inner-city America.
Throughout his years of as an educator and youth pastor, Al came to understand the responsibility of having a special gift from God that he can use to draw people closer to HIM. He firmly believes that ministry is far more important than artistry, and it is his sincere prayer that God will use his music to lead people to Christ — just as he was.
Big AL is currently traveling throughout the country, and abroad, performing and speaking to all ages, all races, and all denominations! Whether sharing his story, performing songs, entertaining an audience, and/or preaching the Gospel, big AL definitely shares the message of love…the message of hope…the message of peace…the message of Jesus Christ – like no one else!!
Therefore GO
- Sharon Gregory, WPAUMC Lay Leader
About Sharon:
Sharon Gregory answered the Laity Call in 2001. She is a passionate member of the organized unit of the United Methodist Women. She has served on Local, District and Conference Levels of the United Methodist Women from 2002-2014. She currently serves as Western Pa’s conference lay leader. She is also currently employed as the Administrative Assistant to the Center of Online Learning at the Community College of Allegheny County. Her passion and love is for ALL GOD's children. Her commitment is to share the story, so for those who don't know Christ will come to know Christ and the UNCONDITIONAL love he has for all of us. As children of GOD, we must be content to be the simple sheep and listen for GOD's instructions.
What's the Big Deal? A Discussion on Microagressions and Racism
- Andrew Chung, YMT and UMC Global Ministries board member, and Sarah Gallagher, YMT
Join Andrew and Sarah in a discussion about racism in our world today. Youth will learn about what microagressions are and how to communicate in a respectful way with people of all races and backgrounds. Youth will also learn tools when in a situation where they hear racist remarks and how they can respond appropriate to be an ally for people color.
About Andrew and Sarah:
Andrew is the YMT Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for GBGM. With GBGM, he is a member of the Committee on Eliminating Institutional Racism. Out of church (Otterbein UMC), he is involved in the Robotics Club as a junior at Greensburg Salem HS and enjoys playing the violin.
Sarah is our Connectional committee chair on YMT and has been involved in YMT for 4 years. Within her church (Garden City UMC), she has been involved with the church choir, Christmas cantata, and as a helper for children’s Sunday school. Outside of her church, Sarah is in the marching band and golf team as a senior at Gateway High School.
Social Media and You
- Jonathan Smith, Youth Director at Christ UMC in Franklin, Pa
This breakout will help youth make good choices when it comes to social media as well as answer some of these questions: what we are trying to find when we access social media: how is my life compared to everyone else’s? Where does that question come from? And can I get it answered?
Leaders Only:
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Duffy Robbins, SPARK 2019 speaker
About Duffy Robbins:
Dr. Duffy Robbins is a thirty-five year veteran of youth ministry. Duffy speaks around the world to teenagers and people who care about teenagers. Duffy has his D.Min. in Youth and Family Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is the author of numerous books including Ministry of Nurture, This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure, Speaking to Teenagers (which he co-wrote with Doug Fields), Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts and Enjoy the Silence (which he co-wrote with a wonderful girl named Maggie Robbins that he married many years ago).
Discerning Call and Your Role in Ministry
- Bishop Cynthia Moore- Koikoi, Resident Bishop
About Bishop Moore-Koikoi:
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi was elected as a bishop of The United Methodist Church by delegates to the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. She began her assignment to lead United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania on September 1, 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Loyola College in Maryland in 1988, and a Masters of Arts and advanced certification in school psychology from the University of Maryland in 1992. She worked as a school psychologist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools for 17 years, serving in leadership roles as a layperson before answering her call to the ordained ministry. Bishop Moore-Koikoi said she sees herself as a bridge-builder, clear and confident about what she believes, while respecting others who might not believe the same way. Her vision is of a diverse church that embraces justice and the life-saving love of Christ.
Fun Rooms (open in the evenings):
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Dodgeball
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Nintendo Wii Room
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Gaga Ball and games
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Jam Room (bring your guitar and jam out with others)
Special Rooms (open throughout the weekend):
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Prayer Room
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Youth Leader Lounge
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Mission Room
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Vendor Hall (new and expanded location this year!)