The old is gone. The way things used to be just aren't anymore. We are left wondering how we should continue to try to run a youth ministry program in our church community. We ask ourselves and each other, "Ok, so what in the world do we do now?" Well, have you met our friend, the original missionary, Jesus? In this virtual workshop, Michael and Crystal Marchand will take it way back and look at the ministry of Jesus. They'll answer the questions of what it means to think differently about youth ministry, how to try new things to build relationships with your young people, how to make disciples, and how to send them out to evangelize. And it all starts with meeting people where they are at. Like Jesus did. Literally walking to them. On water.
Crystal Marchand is a, "Jill of all Trades", when it comes to teaching and youth ministry. For the past 15 years, she has had the wonderful pleasure of ministering to a countless number of teens and being the best thing in the world, a small group leader. Crystal has a BFA in Music Performance from Loyola University Chicago and a M.ED in Music Education from Boston University and spent 12 years as an early childhood and elementary music teacher. Crystal is passionate about child development and often teaches youth ministers how the teenage brain develops and why that's important to know in youth ministry. She loves creating innovative ways to engage young people, accompany them on their faith journey, and deepen their relationship with Christ. Crystal loves all things chocolate, playing sports, being outside, and serving her community with her husband (Michael) and their 4 beautiful children in Chattanooga, TN.
Michael Marchand is a preacher, teacher, and innovator who is focused on serving his (second) favorite group of people on the planet: Catholic youth ministers. After years of working in parish youth ministry, Michael co-founded ProjectYM to do just that. Since then, his ministry has taken him across the country and around the world, training, equipping, and supporting thousands of youth ministry leaders, and letting them know that they matter! Michael's resume also includes preaching gigs at events and conferences around the world, a Catholic theology degree, authoring a book on Catholic evangelization, years of training and consulting with parish/diocesan leaders on technology and social media, countless online projects, building multiple successful brands, launching several membership sites, and lots of wins in Monopoly. Michael is blessed to be part of an amazing missionary family. Michael, his beautiful wife (Crystal) and four kids serve the local Church in Chattanooga, TN.