Current Conferences

2008 Youth Conferences at Montreat

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“Throw Open the Doors!”

The Bible is full of stories that teach us that the good news is meant to be shared! God calls us to reach out and invite others to join us on our journey of faith and mission in the world. Come join us as we embrace our identity as children of God and make, renew, and deepen connections with Jesus Christ, the church, and others.

We are still accepting registrations for all youth conference weeks!

If your group is already registered for the conference and you need to make changes, please download the Additions/Cancellations Form.

Conference Dates & Resources

Watch a promotional video produced by David Annett and the youth group at Knox Church, Cincinnatti, OH.

Also, check out the Montreat 2008 video put together by the NextDoor Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach, Florida.

Key Leaders

Youth I & II
(Download leader photos & bios for Youth I ; Youth II )

  • Derek Macleod, Toronto, Canada; (Keynote); Pastor, Glenview Presbyterian Church.
  • John White, Decatur, GA; (Preacher); Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Services; Columbia Theological Seminary.
  • Tricia Dillon Thomas, Sarasota, FL; (Co-Recreation Leader); graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA.
  • Laurie Taylor Weicher, Wayne, PA; (Co-Recreation Leader); Associate Pastor, Wayne Presbyterian Church.
  • Clay Fouse, Charlotte, NC; (Music Leader); Chaplaincy Residency program at Carolinas Medical Center.

Youth III & IV
(Download leader photos & bios for Youth III ; Youth IV )

  • Jo Nygard, Cary, NC; (Co-Keynote); Pastoral Assistant, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
  • Patrick Laney, Tuscaloosa, AL; (Co-Keynote); Associate Pastor for Youth and Family, First Presbyterian Church.
  • Bridgett Green, Louisville, KY; (Preacher); Associate for Racial Ethnic Young Women Together in the Women’s Ministries program area of the General Assembly Council.
  • Nick Reed, Lebanon, TN; (Co-Recreation Leader); Associate Pastor for Youth, First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon.
  • Rachel Harrod, Charleston, SC; (Co-Recreation Leader); Americorp volunteer working with Habitat for Humanity.
  • Jeffrey Harper, Nashville, TN; (Music Leader); student and professional musician.

Youth V & VI
(Download leader photos & bios for Youth V ; Youth VI )

  • Aimee Wallis Buchanan, Asheville, NC; (Co-Keynote); Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Youth Ministries, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
  • Bill Buchanan, Asheville, NC; (Co-Keynote); Associate Pastor for Congregational and Community Life, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
  • Blake and Laurie Spencer, Richardson, TX; (Co-Preachers); Co-Pastors, First Presbyterian Church.
  • Lindsey Wells Peery, Richmond, VA; (Co-Recreation Leader); recent graduate from Union Theological Seminary-PSCE.
  • Berry French, Richmond, VA; (Co-Recreation Leader); recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary-PSCE.
  • Jorge Gonzalez, originally from Puerto Rico; (Music Leader); student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.

Program Fee

  • On or before January 7: $217
  • After January 7: $232

Scholarships are available for this conference.

Registration Information

We are still accepting registrations for all youth conference weeks. You must register all youth groups as a block using the 2008 Youth Conference Registration Packet. There will be no registrations by phone. Contact Emily Causey for housing availability. If you would like the registration packet mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org or write Montreat Conference Center, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757, or call 800.572.2257, ext. 338.

If your group is already registered for the conference and you need to make changes, please download the Additions/Cancellations Form.

Questions? Contact the registrar, emilyc[at]montreat.org.

General Information for All Youth Conferences

  • Eligibility: The Montreat Youth Conferences are designed for high school students, entering freshmen through graduated seniors. All groups must include at least one adult for every six young people. Adults must be housed with their youth.
  • Housing: There are numerous housing options to meet the needs of various size groups, including Assembly Inn, Winsborough Inn, and Glen Rock Inn, which include meals in the Galax Dining Room in the Assembly Inn. Other housing options within a five minute walking distance are Montreat College, which offers dorm rooms and meals in Howerton Cafeteria, and William Black Lodge, which offers lodge accommodations and meals at the lodge. Prices for Assembly Inn, Winsborough, Glen Rock Inn, Montreat College dorms and William Black Lodge are listed on page 3 of the registration packet. Private housing is also an option with housing accommodations and meal arrangements made between the church and the private cottage owner. You may request a private cottage list by emailing carolo[at]montreat.org. For more information concerning private housing, download helpful hints.

  • Conference Schedule: A Youth Conference is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. A typical day at Youth Conference includes morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings where the conference theme is explored, afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship, as well as other options (Wednesday afternoon is free). See specific dates above for leadership information. Registration will begin at 3:00 PM on Sunday. The conference will run from Sunday supper through Saturday breakfast.
  • Opportunities for College Students: You have an opportunity to participate in the Youth Conference as a member of the Collegiate Work Crew. We are looking for college students who want to attend the conference with their church groups. You will have the chance to help the conference planning team during the week. You will work behind the scenes, learn the ropes, and get a close-up look at what is involved in running a Youth Conference. Look for more Work Crew information in your Back Home packet. No application is necessary; just make sure that you are registered as a part of your church group.
  • Small Group Leaders: If you are 21 + and are interested in applying to be a small group leader for the Youth Conferences, call 800.572.2257, ext. 327, or download a Small Group Leader Application. You may be both a small group leader and a back home leader if there is another adult with your home group attending the conference. Your registration fee is waived, and your room, board, and travel are covered! All small group leaders must be members of congregations that are members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (for a listing of member churches, go to World Alliance of Reformed Churches).

  • Opportunities for Younger Children: Learn more about the Clubs & Child Care program. Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited.

NEW – Commissioning Service Liturgy

In response to requests, we’ve developed brief liturgy for a short service for commissioning the young people and adult leaders who are heading to a Montreat youth or middle school conference this summer!

  • Download a pdf that you can print quickly and fill in the blanks on the go!
  • Download a document that you can download and edit yourself.

Check out other opportunities for youth and young adults offered by the Center for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

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