+
May 1st and 2nd, 2026, at Sisters Community Church in Sisters, Oregon
EQUIPPING YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS AND TEAMS FOR LASTING IMPACT
EQUIP, hosted by Youth Ministry Empowered, is a two-day, immersive round-table experience designed to equip and encourage entire youth ministry teams—pastors, staff, and volunteers alike—for sustainable, gospel-centered impact.
This year, we’re honored to host Duane Smith, author of Unstoppable Youth Ministry, who will guide us through a series of round-table Formation Labs designed to help you assess your real ministry culture, engage in honest conversation, and discern practical next steps you can take in the next 90 days for growth and long-term sustainability.
You’ll learn from Scripture, and collaborate with leaders who understand the unique challenges of youth ministry, no matter your ministry context.
This isn’t just a space to learn—it’s a space to be filled up, so you can continue pouring out to your students when you return home. We’ll gather to fellowship, worship, and pray for one another, reminding you that you are not alone in your calling. We pray that you’ll leave with clarity, alignment, and direction for your ministry, rooted in Jesus.
We can't wait to see you there!
SCHEDULE
Friday Evening (Optional)
6-8PM: Fireside Fellowship
Join us Friday evening for a time of fellowship around the fire with light snacks as we get to know one another better before the main event on Saturday.
Saturday
8:30AM: Check-in (pastries and light refreshments provided)
9:00AM: Opening worship
9:20AM: Keynote: Cultivating a Church Culture that Empowers Youth
10:25AM: Breakout Labs
Calibrating and Communicating Your Mission and Vision
Shifting the Internal Culture and Attitude Towards Youth
Becoming Students of Youth Culture/ Informing and Educating your Church Family
Building Out Your Advocacy Support Team
Intergenerational Youth Ministry
Youth in Leadership Roles
Creating Onramps for Congregational Members to Engage
11:15AM: Keynote: Creating Strategies to Reach Four Different Groups of Youth
12:10PM: Lunch
12:50PM: Breakout Labs
Building Out “Curiosity” Initiatives
Building Out “Committed” Initiatives
Building Out “Called” Initiatives
Building Out “Courageous” Initiatives
1:50PM: Keynote: Youth and Young Adults as Agents of Flourishing
2:35PM: Closing Worship and Prayer
3:00PM: Extended time of worship and response (optional)
5:00PM: Head home!
-
Early Bird registration (which closes April 1st) is $50 per person. Registration includes a catered lunch, Formation Lab workbook, and your own copy of Unstoppable Youth Ministry for further study.
-
This round-table event is designed for youth leaders, volunteers, or entire youth ministry teams, who want to build or contribute to a sustainable, gospel-centered youth ministry within their church.
-
This will be an immersive two-day experience featuring keynote teaching, round-table discussions, worship, and practical breakout sessions led by Duane Smith and a team of seasoned youth ministers from the Pacific Northwest.
-
Redmond Airport (RDM) is the nearest commercial airport to Sisters, Oregon. Cheaper lodging is available in Redmond and Bend, as Sisters is viewed as more of a “resort” town, and overnight prices tend to be higher there.
-
If you’re a ministry vendor, and would like to set up a small table at our event, please email Evan for more info and an application.
-
We’re happy to help with whatever you need. Email us at:
evan@youthministryempowered.org
for more information.