Williams Baptist College’s Annual 5-to-1 Conference for Student Ministry is slated for this Friday, April 15.  The annual ministry event is sponsored by WBC’s Department of Christian Ministries.

The conference is following a new format this year, with four student ministers from central and northeast Arkansas speaking and leading discussion. They are:

• John Blackford, Student Pastor, First Baptist Church, Trumann. Topic: “Getting Started in Youth Ministry”
• Craig Golden, Student Pastor, Sugarloaf Baptist Church, Heber Springs. Topic: “Youth Ministry in Times of Crisis”
• Tobin Shelton, Student Pastor, Belview Baptist Church, Melbourne. Topic: “Building Youth Ministry through Intentional Relationships”
• Casey Winstead, Student Ministries Pastor, MidTowne Church, Benton. Topic: “Communicating with Students and Parents”

Dr. Walter Norvell, associate professor in Christian ministries, facilitates the annual 5-to-1 Conference, and he says this year’s conference is a bit different from recent years.

“This year we decided to focus on the youth or student minister or the volunteer who leads the youth ministry of a local church,” Norvell said. “These speakers, all alumni of Williams, have developed significant student ministries in churches that well-represent churches in our area. Each one has chosen a topic about which they are passionate. Each one is concerned with the development of youth leaders and student ministries in our state.”

The 5-to-1 Youth Ministry Conference seeks to equip churches and families with information and skills so teens can be surrounded with many caring adults who will help them develop life-long faith.

The conference runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 15, in WBC’s Moody Dining Room.