"Youth workers must strengthen their own relationship with God before leading young people." This is the message underpinning this year's Youthwork: the conference.

Hundreds of youth workers will join together at the conferences, in Southport and Eastbourne later this month, to re-energise their relationships with God so that they can be better youth workers.

"There's been a major oversight in the way youth workers are resourced and cared for by the wider church," said Chair of Youthwork the partnership, Martin Saunders. "We're so busy giving them ideas for working with young people, we often forget that the most important thing is their own relationship with God.

"You can't lead young people when your own spiritual journey is in danger of being derailed and this conference is all about helping redress the balance in youth ministry resourcing."

Speakers at both conferences include Mike Pilavachi, co-founder and leader of Soul Survivor, and Steve Chalke, founder of Faithworks and Oasis Trust.

The conferences will feature new 'soul sessions' on Saturday to give youth workers time to think about their own spiritual growth and wellbeing.

"These sessions will unpack the importance of taking our own spirituality seriously, encourage us to get closer to God, and as an organic result, help us to bring our young people into a deeper Christian walk," Saunders said.

"The 'soul sessions' are at the heart of this year's conference, each of them delivered by experienced speakers of the highest quality, and aiming to go deeper than the traditional training seminar."


On the web: www.youthworkconference.co.uk