Upcoming Events
Our Conferences
Our annual conferences are held in October and April. These two conferences are for all ministry leaders, spouses, and key volunteers at your church. Make sure to attend these quality district-wide events! You will leave feeling connected, encouraged & better equipped for ministry.
Our Retreats
Throughout the year, we offer different retreats for FLD ministry leaders - some being specific to ministry areas. Our heart is to have every ministry leader leaving our retreats feeling encouraged, refreshed, and renewed to carry out the Lord’s work to which they have been called.
FLD Affinity Networks
Throughout the year, we provide different opportunities for you to connect with others in your ministry area. In these networks, you have the opportunity to learn best practices and build meaningful relationships! Contact us to learn more about your affinity network!
Check out our Benefits of Affiliation resource guide to see a list of our Forest Lakes District events!
FLD Spring Ministry Leaders Conference
We are excited to dive in and examine what truly defines a HEALTHY LEADER! In our call from God to make disciples, we need to develop as a disciple ourselves, pursue healthy spiritual habits, exemplify humility & so much more. Join us as we dive in and learn more about the MARKS OF A HEALTHY LEADER!
OASIS Ministry Staff & Spouse Retreat
A TIME OF CONNECTION FOR MINISTRY LEADERS & THEIR SPOUSE!
Cost- $85 per night per couple
Where- Hilton Garden Inn, Wausau, WI
When- January 28-30, 2024
Join for a time of connection and encouragement with other ministry leader couples & your spouse! We will gather for worship, fun & encouragement from Brian & Tiffani Schley from Faith Church in Manitowoc. Our schedule prioritizes margin for rest, connection & free time!
IMPORTANT NOTE -
WHEN YOU REGISTER, ONLY REGISTER ONE PERSON PER COUPLE.
(OR YOU WILL PAY TWICE)YOU MAY ENTER SPOUSE INFORMATION UNDER THE ‘REGISTRATION QUESTIONS’ TAB.
Schedule-
Sunday
3:00-9:00 CHECK-IN TO YOUR ROOM & MEETING ROOM OPEN
Monday
7:00-9:00 BREAKFAST (HILTON GARDEN)
9:00-10:00 REGISTRATION
10:00-12:00 SESSION 1
12:00-1:00 LUNCH (HILTON GARDEN)
1:00-4:00 FREE TIME
4:00-6:00 DINNER (ON YOUR OWN)
6:30-8:00 SESSION 2
8:30 EVENING OPTIONS
Tuesday
7:00-9:00 BREAKFAST (HILTON GARDEN)
9:00-10:45 SESSION 3
10:45-11:15 CHECK OUT
11:30 LUNCH TOGETHER (LOCATION TBD)
**We highly recommend setting this time aside for just you and your spouse, but if needed, child care is provided for the sessions only. $10 per family.**
DISTRICTS Youth Conference
The DISTRICTS Youth Conference is held every January with the purpose of bringing youth groups from the Evangelical Free Church of America’s (EFCA) Forest Lakes Districts (FLD) together to grow in their relationship with Christ.
DISTRICTS is a growth level conference with outreach potential, where the gospel is clearly presented. This plug and play event for students in Junior & Senior High challenges and equips students to live on mission with God and take the next step in their relationship with God.
The goal of this conference is to create an environment through large group rallies & seminars where students can experience God together and have adult leaders who can walk alongside of their students as they go home.
We offer afternoon seminars that address four specific purposes for students to choose from: Equip, Grow, Stretch & Hot Topics.
Additionally, prayer is a central part of the weekend. It saturates everything we do.
FLD Refresh - Senior Pastors & Wives Retreat
REFRESH is a retreat designed for EFCA Senior Pastors and their spouses to get away to be refreshed in their marriages and ministries. The worship gatherings, schedule and environment are all designed to encourage long-term, healthy ministry for senior pastors and their spouses.
For the first 25 couples who register, The FLD will pay for $400 of the $699 registration fee for Senior Pastors to attend. (Airfare not included)
In our sessions you will experience prayer, worship and the opportunity to interact and minister with and to one another. Our speaker will focus on speaking life into your soul. This is not a training conference. It is a renewal conference. The wisest man to ever live, King Solomon, spoke these words to his son in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” There are times the wisest and most responsible thing we can do for our own souls and ministries is to focus some deliberate attention on our hearts.
Your afternoons are free to lay by the pool, sight-see, have lunch with new friends or simply reflect and rest.
Email Lindsey at ldovichi@forestlakes-efca.org with questions.
THE NEAREST AIRPORTS ARE-
• Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA) - 36.3 km / 22.5 mi (Preferred airport for Sheraton Sand Key Resort)
• St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE) - 20.6 km / 12.8 mi
• St. Petersburg, FL (SPG-Albert Whitted) - 39.8 km / 24.7 mi
• Tampa, FL (TPF-Peter O. Knight) - 48.5 km / 30.2 mi
FLD Fall Ministry Leaders Conference
Join together with the rest of the Forest Lakes District as we hear from Paul Miller, author of “A Praying Church: Becoming a people of Hope in a Discouraging World.” Together, lets reinvigorate our hearts for prayer over our lives and our churches!
History, Theology and Polity Course
The EFCA History, Theology and Polity course is considered the baseline for any/all of the credentials in the EFCA. If one desires to minister in the EFCA and be licensed and eventually receive their Certificate of Ordination or Certificate of Christian Ministry, this material is mandatory. In the past this class was only offered at our EFCA seminary, so all those who desired to minister in the EFCA and who did not attend our seminary were required to meet this requirement through an independent study. We now offer the class in an intensive two-day format in other locations. We believe there is much to be gained in a class setting versus the independent study format.
This class will be offered in-person and online.
FLD Spring Ministry Leaders Conference
We are excited to dive in and examine what truly defines a HEALTHY LEADER! In our call from God to make disciples, we need to develop as a disciple ourselves, pursue healthy spiritual habits, exemplify humility & so much more. Join us as we dive in and learn more about the MARKS OF A HEALTHY LEADER!
History, Theology and Polity Course
The EFCA History, Theology and Polity course is considered the baseline for any/all of the credentials in the EFCA. If one desires to minister in the EFCA and be licensed and eventually receive their Certificate of Ordination or Certificate of Christian Ministry, this material is mandatory. In the past this class was only offered at our EFCA seminary, so all those who desired to minister in the EFCA and who did not attend our seminary were required to meet this requirement through an independent study. We now offer the class in an intensive two-day format in other locations. We believe there is much to be gained in a class setting versus the independent study format.
This class will be offered in-person and online.
OASIS Ministry Staff & Spouse Retreat
A time of connection for Ministry Leaders
& their spouse!
Cost- $85 per night per couple
Where- Hilton Garden Inn, Wausau, WI
When- January 29-31, 2023
***50 SPOTS AVAILABLE***
Join for a time of connection and encouragement with other ministry leader couples & your spouse! You will be hearing from Jon & Kim Payne who have been navigating life and ministry for over 30 years. Jon is the Superintendent of the Forest Lakes District, and Kim is the Operations Director of a financial firm in their hometown of Wausau, WI. We know you will leave encouraged and refreshed!
Schedule-
Sunday
3:00-9:00 CHECK-IN TO YOUR ROOM & MEETING ROOM OPEN
Monday
7:00-9:00 BREAKFAST (HILTON GARDEN)
9:00-10:00 REGISTRATION
10:00-12:00 SESSION 1
12:00-1:00 LUNCH (HILTON GARDEN)
1:00-4:00 FREE TIME
4:00-6:00 DINNER (ON YOUR OWN)
6:30-8:00 SESSION 2
8:30 EVENING OPTIONS
Tuesday
7:00-9:00 BREAKFAST (HILTON GARDEN)
9:00-10:45 SESSION 3
10:45-11:15 CHECK OUT
11:30 LUNCH TOGETHER (LOCATION TBD)
**We highly recommend setting this time aside for just you and your spouse, but if needed, child care is provided for the sessions only. $10 per family.**
DISTRICTS Youth Conference
The DISTRICTS Youth Conference is held every January with the purpose of bringing youth groups from the Evangelical Free Church of America’s (EFCA) Forest Lakes Districts (FLD) together to grow in their relationship with Christ.
DISTRICTS is a growth level conference with outreach potential, where the gospel is clearly presented. This plug and play event for students in Junior & Senior High challenges and equips students to live on mission with God and take the next step in their relationship with God.
The goal of this conference is to create an environment through large group rallies & seminars where students can experience God together and have adult leaders who can walk alongside of their students as they go home.
We offer afternoon seminars that address four specific purposes for students to choose from: Equip, Grow, Stretch & Hot Topics.
Additionally, prayer is a central part of the weekend. It saturates everything we do.
FLD Refresh - Senior Pastors & Wives Retreat
REFRESH is a retreat designed for EFCA Senior Pastors and their spouses to get away to be refreshed in their marriages and ministries. The worship gatherings, schedule and environment are all designed to encourage long-term, healthy ministry for senior pastors and their spouses.
For the first 25 couples who register, The FLD will pay for $400 of the $650 registration fee for Senior Pastors to attend. (Airfare not included)
In our sessions you will experience prayer, worship and the opportunity to interact and minister with and to one another. Our speaker will focus on speaking life into your soul. This is not a training conference. It is a renewal conference. The wisest man to ever live, King Solomon, spoke these words to his son in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” There are times the wisest and most responsible thing we can do for our own souls and ministries is to focus some deliberate attention on our hearts.
Your afternoons are free to lay by the pool, sight-see, have lunch with new friends or simply reflect and rest.
TO REGISTER-
Email Nancy at nweise@forestlakes-efca.org
THE NEAREST AIRPORTS ARE-
• Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA) - 36.3 km / 22.5 mi (Preferred airport for Sheraton Sand Key Resort)
• St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE) - 20.6 km / 12.8 mi
• St. Petersburg, FL (SPG-Albert Whitted) - 39.8 km / 24.7 mi
• Tampa, FL (TPF-Peter O. Knight) - 48.5 km / 30.2 mi
FLD Student & Family Ministry Leaders Training
If you are involved in Student Ministries, or are a Children’s Ministry pastor or leader, you are in invited to join us for the SFMT Training. This training is designed for both staff and volunteers with the hope of facilitating connection, as well as bring relevant training on topics that we all face in these ministry areas! Join us for worship, connection time, and learning!
(LINK TO REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM)
WORKSHOP OPTIONS
Helping Teens Face Sexuality & Gender Issues with Truth and Love - Ryan Groshek
Everywhere you look it seems like issues surrounding gender and sexuality are on people’s minds and are the focus of conversation. Most of our teens know someone who is gay or trans, and some are wrestling with these issues themselves. Yet, so often in the church we either often avoid this topic or rail against unnamed activists and agendas. During this seminar, we’ll be talking about how to think Biblically about Homosexuality (or Same-sex attraction) and Transgenderism, how to talk about it with our students, how to talk about it with those who disagree, and ways to love those who consider themselves a part of the LGBTQIA Community.
Counseling & Caring for students that are dealing with Stress and Anxiety - Jarrod Stichter
Mental health continues to be a challenge for students today - and all signs show this problem isn't going anywhere. This seminar designed to be a mix of teaching as well as round-table discussion so we can learn from one another in the areas of counseling and coming alongside of students in the areas of anxiety, stress management, and other mental health concerns. We will look at today's most recent stats, best-practices, as well as encourage one another in this area as we learn together.
Building a Student-Led Worship Ministry in Youth Group - Bryan Niemeyer
Do you have a youth group that passionately engages in worship? Students that have a heart of worship and are willing to lead their peers before the throne? Working with students to build a youth-led worship team can be filled with frustration, challenges, discipleship, skill/spiritual growth, joy, and hopefully youth who “get it.” In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to start and grow a healthy youth-led worship ministry.
How to train your leaders to be good small group leaders - Jimmy Bero
Students need space to laugh, connect, and have meaningful conversations about life’s biggest questions. Small Group Leaders create and facilitate this space. We need to train and care for volunteers in a way that shapes them to love and lead students in their faith journey. We need to pastor them so that they can pastor students. This workshop will explore both the philosophical and practical elements of what it means to be a good small group leader, equipping you to raise up volunteers who embody the love and grace of Jesus in the lives of students, walking alongside them as they grow in their confidence of who they are, where they belong, and what they were made for.
Preparing and delivering a message that connects with students - Brian Schley
We want to have the greatest impact we can on our students. My goal is that you leave this training with a nugget you can take home that will make you a more effective preacher. For those who do not have a defined process for how to set up a message, or would like to understand a different way to work through a text, we will talk through a process of how to prepare a sermon. We will also talk about engaging our students by the way we communicate His Word.
Building a Discipleship Culture in Student Ministries - Jed Haas
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” - Peter Drucker. Thinking through a great strategy is very important. The end goal is creating a powerful and empowering culture. This is the way to lead your ministry to be part of a disciplemaking movement that can multiply disciples in your ministry, your church, and beyond. As you know, you are preparing youth to multiply disciples for generations as college students, co-workers, parents, future church leaders, and beyond. You get seven years max, maybe a few more if they stick around locally. Join the conversation with me about how to create a disciplemaking culture in your student ministry.
Ask The Hard Questions: How to Utilize Christian Apologetics in Student Ministry - Andrew Gutberlet
One Hope Research recently released a 54-page report on religious attitudes and behaviors of teenagers in the United State. In this study, they found that 51% of teens (ages 13-19) identify as Christian. However, the research also revealed that only 8% of those who identified as “Christian” would classify as a “committed Christian” who upholds a biblical worldview. From this research, we can conclude that the majority of teens are graduating from student ministries without a firmly grounded and fully formed biblical worldview. In this session, we will seek to establish that apologetics (defending one’s faith) is a vital aspect of student ministries, overview the types of apologetic topics that are most relevant to Gen Z, and demonstrate how to effectively teach apologetics in a student ministry setting.
EVENT DETAILS
SCHEDULE
9:00am - Registration/Snacks
9:30am - Opening/Worship/Resources
10:00am - Workshop #1 - Six Options
11:00am - Break
11:30am - DISTRICTS Youth Conference Update
12:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Workshop #2 - Six Options
2:00pm - Training Ends
TICKET COST
Early Registration - $25
Standard Registration Fee - $35
Late Registration Fee - $45
Group Rate (3 or more) - $20/person
REGISTER NOW!
EFCA Worship Leader Gathering
The EFCA Worship Leader Gathering is designed to encourage biblical and gospel-centered worship in churches across our nation by ministering to those who lead. Join us for this year’s gathering for fellowship, peer learning, times of worship and discipleship, and to be encouraged in your current season in ministry.
Who’s invited?
Full-time, part-time, and volunteer worship pastors, directors and leaders in EFCA churches.
Cost
FREE. Attendees are responsible for their travel, lodging, and Tuesday dinner. Optional suggested donation to offset guest speaker costs.
FLD Fall Ministry Leaders Conference
God calls His Church to be a beacon of Christ-centered unity and community in a hurting world. More than ever, ministry leaders are feeling the need for support and "togetherness" as they navigate issues of today. Join us as we explore and experience what true encouragement, unity and connecting relationships can look like across our churches and ministries. We are truly BETTER TOGETHER!
EFCA Challenge Youth Conference
MORE THAN A CONFERENCE
Challenge is the EFCA’s biennial national gathering for students entering 7th grade through completion of 12th grade.
We are committed to helping you plant and water the gospel among the next generation. We want students to experience the joy of knowing Jesus and helping others do the same.
Challenge blends aspects of a conference, a mission trip and camp to create a catalytic environment that moves beyond the mountaintop moment to building missional momentum within your group.
As one youth leader explained: “The afternoon experiences help us as a group to learn together either through training, outreach or recreation. Learning side-by-side and experientially at the same time is a greenhouse atmosphere for healthy disciplemaking relationship growth.”