Wednesday Schedule
The Shift 2009 experience begins on Wednesday, April 22, as Shift leaders from around the world gather for training, worship, inspiration, and wisdom. The day includes three main sessions and breaks for lunch* and dinner* (*on your own, with your team).
View entire conference schedule at a glance
Main Session 1
Francis Chan
Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA
Breaking Free From Complacency
Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Francis Chan believes that the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts—it's falling more in love with God. Francis will urgently challenge us to a deeper, more passionate relationship with God.
Read Francis' BioFrancis is Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. His passion is to see the next generation of American Christians display a much deeper love for Jesus. He is the author of Crazy Love. www.francischan.org
Main Session 2
Mark A. Holmen
Senior Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, CA
Bubba Thurman
Student Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwell, TX
Student Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwell, TX
Connecting the Church and Home
Parents are the most influential people in a student's life. For youth ministries to be effective, it is critical to help engage parents into the spiritual development of their children. Mark Holmen and Bubba Thurman will share practical steps and personal experiences of how their churches have integrated family strategies.
Read Mark's BioMark is Senior Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in California and has worked with families for over 15 years serving as a youth and family pastor in three congregations. He is a national speaker, trainer, and author of Faith Begins at Home. www.vmc.net
Bubba is the Student Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. He is responsible for ministry to students from 0 to 18. He is an 18 year student ministry veteran with a passion to help equip youth workers. www.lakepointe.org
Main Session 3
David Kinnaman
President of The Barna Group
Mark Matlock
President of WisdomWorks Ministries
Engaging Culture for Effective Ministry
To reach students, we must understand the role that culture plays in their lives. David Kinneman and Mark Matlock will not only address the complexities and threats that the cyber world presents, but also fresh insights into the positive ways students use the wired world in their lives.
Read David's BioDavid Kinnaman is the President and Strategic Leader of The Barna Group. He is the author of the best-selling book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity, and the Barna report, Teens and the Supernatural.
Since joining Barna in 1995, David has designed and analyzed nearly 500 projects for a variety of clients, including Columbia House, Compassion International, Easter Seals, Focus on the Family, Habitat for Humanity, Integrity Media, InterVarsity, NBC-Universal, Salvation Army, Sony, Thomas Nelson, Time-Life, Prison Fellowship, World Vision, Zondervan and many others.
As a spokesperson for the firm's research, he is frequently quoted in major media outlets (such as USA Today, Fox News, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, and The Wall Street Journal). He is also in demand as a speaker about trends, teenagers, vocation and calling, young leaders, and generational changes.
The son of a lifelong pastor, David has served in various capacities within congregations he has attended, including working with teenagers, teaching, and providing strategic consulting. He graduated from Biola University (La Mirada, California), where he served as Student Chaplain.
David and his wife, Jill, live in Ventura, California, with their three kids.
Mark is the president/founder of WisdomWorks Ministries and the nationwide Planet Wisdom Student Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. www.planetwisdom.com | www.realworldparents.com
Please note that all session times are subject to change.