Beyond the Event

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Big rooms light up when students feel seen, safe, and invited to play a real part—on stage, on screen, and in their small groups. We open with CIY’s interactive team and how they’re hijacking Unreal Engine to turn LED walls into living sets, sync visuals with stage moments, and run games that respond to what’s actually happening in the room. It’s not spectacle for spectacle’s sake; it’s a toolkit that supports hosts, speakers, and students with genuine interaction and cohesive storytelling.

Then we shift to Jon Lee of Northeast Christian Church, who lays out a compelling case for “tried and true” youth ministry. His team runs a clear weekly rhythm—large group teaching and worship followed by grade-and-gender small groups—because predictability lowers anxiety, makes invitations easier, and creates the safety students need for honest talk. The creativity doesn’t vanish; it moves to retreats, camps, and mission trips where novelty can breathe without disrupting trust. Jon also shares Northeast’s values language—belong before you believe, groups are where you grow, saved people serve people—and how repeating it across spaces turns identity into action, with a majority of students serving beyond student ministry.

We dig into when to change models and “kill old dinosaurs,” including Northeast’s post-COVID decision to integrate high schoolers more deeply into the broader church so college transitions feel natural. You’ll hear practical ideas for first Wednesdays, middle school micro-teaching and table conversations, leadership pipelines that let high schoolers facilitate, and annual goal reviews that keep teams aligned. We also swap resources shaping their approach: Canoeing the Mountains, Working Genius, and the habit of learning from other churches instead of leading in a silo.

If you’re ready to reduce friction, deepen engagement, and place creativity where it has the most impact, this conversation will sharpen your calendar and your culture.

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