Youth and Adult Ministries 'at a glance'

Youth Ministry

Leadership

Resources & Training

The Youth Ministry Network is a social media space for Conference youth leaders to support, share, and learn. Free youth curriculum posted weekly.
REBOOT Youth Leader Cohorts offer coaching for congregations looking to “reboot” their ministry to grow young disciples.
WVUMC participates with the Perkins School of Theology School for Youth Ministry to develop youth ministry leaders.

Young Disciples Gatherings

Fall Workshop, November 10-12, 2023 at Jackson’s Mill. This year’s theme is “Hello, My name is_____,” and students will be learning from different characters in scripture about who God made them to be, how God used them, and how God has a plan for them too. Find out more here: wvumc.org/2023-fall-workshop
In July, 67 youth & adults from 11 West Virginia congregations traveled to YOUTH 2023, a UMC gathering for youth to learn, worship, do Bible study, serve, and have fun.

Spring Heights Camping & Retreat Ministries (springheights.org)

Spring Heights Camping & Retreat Center Director Louisa Copenhaver began her role in spring 2023, guiding the camp to maintain American Camping Association accreditation. Six summer staff grew as leaders as they helped campers experience Christ.
The Conference Camping Team guides the camping ministry of the West Virginia Conference, supporting both on-site and mobile camps.
Through its 2023 On-Site camp and its DaySpring Mobile Camping Ministry, hundreds of children and their adult leaders met Christ through camp. DaySpring brought camp to sites in 6 communities, working with local UM congregations.
Spring Heights’ retreat ministry is growing, hosting 16 retreat groups to date, including community agencies, schools, and churches from throughout the region.

Campus Ministry

West Virginia Conference Campus ministries are supported on five campuses: Fairmont State, Potomac State, Marshall, West Liberty, and West Virginia Wesleyan.
The Conference Higher Education Team works to equip campus ministries and campus pastors. Campus pastors, campus ministry board members, and the Higher Education team met in January to focus on expanding their capacity for ministry to new people.
Grants are available for congregations to be in ministry with college students. Any congregation can be in ministry with college students, regardless of size or location!

Safe Sanctuaries Training

In-person and online training is provided to prevent harm to children and youth in any local or conference ministry. Over 1,000 ministry leaders have completed Safe Sanctuaries training throughout the West Virginia Conference.
The Conference Safe Sanctuaries team updates policies, prepares training materials, and leads training.