To REACH and DISCIPLE this next generation, we need to be CONNECTING WORLDS through building bridges that will effectively engage the next generation in continually moving one-step closer to Jesus.
1. We need to be equipping students on how they can be CONNECTING their everyday WORLDS which are often far from Jesus into encountering the hope and redemptive life found in following Jesus.
2. We need to build bridges that will see youth workers and students be able to practically CONNECT their digital WORLD with a genuine encounter with life changing message of the Gospel. 3.
We need to be inspired by the Holy Spirit on how we can discern how as youth workers and student leaders we can intentionally be CONNECTING the different WORLDS we find ourselves in back to a world focused on the hope found in Jesus.
Proudly Presented By:
EARLY BIRD GROUP RATE - $30/PERSON
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ken Shigematsu
Youth Workers @ 9:30am
Ken Shigematsu is senior pastor of Tenth Church (www.tenth.ca) in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the largest and most diverse city-center churches in Canada. Before entering pastoral ministry, he worked for the Sony Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. The intense work schedule at Sony led him to explore personal disciplines that could bring order to his life, from those of his samurai ancestors to St. Benedict's rule for Christian communities.
Cheryl Nembhard
Youth Workers @ 3:00pm
Cheryl Nembhard is an international speaker, author, podcaster, TV host, and social justice advocate. She uses her talents in film and theatre to address critical societal issues and is dedicated to community service, supporting at-risk youth, sexual assault survivors, and teenage mothers. As the founder of EMG Education, her educational theatre company has reached over 85,000+ students across 190 Ontario schools. Recognized by CBC as one of the top 150 Women making Canada better, she received the 2017 Harry Jerome Award for Social Advocacy. Cheryl co-hosts See, Hear, Love on YES TV and hosts On The Path and Soulfood to Go podcasts. She serves on the board of Brave Canada, advocates for marginalized women globally, and is the author of Brave: This Is Us. Currently, Cheryl is the Director of the Women Speakers Collective, empowering women’s voices worldwide.
Hakeem Bradley
Youth @ 11:00am
Hakeem has served in pastoral ministry at various churches in Portland, OR before transitioning to full-time biblical scholarship in 2021. He has the privilege of helping other people learn about the Scriptures, so that they will experience God’s invitation to know him. Being a Bible nerd is the name of my game. As a result, Hakeem received a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and is currently working on a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies.
Kaitlyn Cey
Student Leaders @ 1:30pm
Kaitlyn is a speaker, writer, and Certified Leadership Coach. She is accredited with the ICF (International Coaching Federation) and she is the Founding Executive Director of the youth empowerment organization, Inspire Our Nation. Kaitlyn is an Educator and Credential Holder with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. She is passionate about inspiring people towards God’s greatest purposes for their lives personally and professionally.
PAST YEAR EXPERIENCES
FEATURED GUESTS
Sanctus Church Worship
Main Session Worship Leaders
Sanctus Church Worship is a collective working of a variety of musicians from the local church in Ajax, Ontario, who seek to honour and praise God through song. They have been part of the Today's Teens Conference for 5+ years with a mission is to glorify God by enabling people of all ages to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
OJ the DJ
Main Stage
OJ has been a DJ for several years with most notable events with World of Dance, Warner Brothers, Kingdom Bound in New York, Otafest Calgary, Change Conference in Toronto, Youth Quake in Saskatchewan, Lecrae, KB, and over 100 high school and university events. Born in America and living in Canada with a Nigerian heritage, Oje is typically fusing different cultures together in an aim to bring unity amongst people. With a following of 500K, DJing in over 8 countries, opening and playing with acts such as Lecrae, For King and Country, KB and hundreds of high school and university events, OJ has music for everyone!
Matt Wilkinson
Director, Today’s Teens Conference
Matt Wilkinson serves as the director the Today’s Teens and has over the last 21 years. He is a strategic and visionary leader with a committed passion for the local church to effectively engage the next generation with the person and message of Jesus Christ. Matt contributes to the world of youth ministry at both local and national levels. He is the Director of Next Generation Ministries for CBOQ and Exec. Director of Camp Kwasind. He also has taught youth ministry courses at Tyndale University College and author of the book, Youth Ministry: Now & Not Yet. Matt holds a Bachelor of Education degree from York University and a Masters of Arts in Leadership & Evangelism from Wheaton College. He is married to Charity and they live in Burlington, Ontario with their two children, Grace and Joshua. Matt is passionate about the Maple Leafs, Tim Hortons, Slurpees, camping ministry and creating random adventures.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULES
YOUTH WORKER SCHEDULE
8:00 | Registration Opens |
9:00 | Kickoff & Worship Celebration |
9:30 | General Session #1 with Ken Shigematsu |
10:30 | Break: Snack, Resources & Networking |
11:00 | Breakout Session #1 |
12:00 | Lunch |
1:30 | Breakout Session #2 |
2:30 | Break: Snack, Resources & Networking |
3:00 | General Session #2 with Cheryl Nembhard |
4:00 | Join the Conversation (Affinity Groups) |
4:45 | General Session #3 (Interactive Experience) |
6:00 | Head Home |
YOUTH SCHEDULE
8:00 | Registration Opens |
9:00 | Kickoff & Worship Celebration |
9:30 | Breakout Session #1
|
10:30 | Break: Snack, Resources & Networking
|
11:00 | General Session #1 with Hakeem Bradley |
12:00 | Lunch |
1:30 | General Session #2 with Kaitlyn Cey |
2:30 | Break: Snack, Resources & Networking |
3:00 | Breakout Session #2 |
4:00 | "Connecting YOUR Worlds" |
4:45 | General Session #3 (Interactive Experience) |
6:00 | Head Home |
CONNECTING WORLDS
Being that bridge which connects Jesus to the Next Generation.
Our Sponsors
Today's Teens Conference is Brought to You By:
