
Youth Leadership Symposium
Overview
This six month leadership symposium will prepare youth to lead in local congregations and support them in designing and implementing their own project for their home Church. This is not a leadership team, but rather a leadership lab where High School age leaders can explore their gifts, receive wisdom from other leaders, and imagine new possibilities for their local congregation. Participants can attend in person at Chapman University, through "Pod" locations in their geographic area, or via Zoom where participants will form their own cohorts.
Symposium Schedule
In Person and for Zoom
February 3, 2024
Session 1
We will explore some leadership basics, learn about the Churches we serve, and begin imagining final leadership projects.
*Please bring copies of Church bylaws.
April 6, 2024
Session 2
We will wrestle with the challenges of change, learn about how faith is formed and how different generations approach life and leadership. Final project plans will be shared at this time.
*Pre-reading and video watching required.
June 1, 2024
Session 3
Time to share the stoires and celebrate the work that has been done in all our various congregations. Each participant will have a chance to present.
Symposium Participants
Along with our youth leaders, we are excited to have a wonderful team of seasoned Church leaders

Lee Yates
Symposium Director

Kari Kempf
Symposium Host

Dr. Mica Stewart
Guest Speaker

Nancy Brink
Symposium Host
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Guest Speaker
Rev. Kris Bergstrom
Guest Speaker

Cisa Payuyo
Symposium Host
Rev. Chris Dorsey
Guest Speaker
Rev. April Lewton
Guest Speaker
Rev. Eddie Anderson
Guest Speaker
Rev. Jose Martinez
Guest Speaker
Sara Critchfield
Guest Speaker
Rev. Brandon Johnson
Guest Speaker