IFCA Youth Convention to be Held at Clarks Summit University

Published June 23, 2016

The 2016 national IFCA Youth Convention will be held on the campus of Clarks Summit University. From June 26 through July 2, approximately 300 young people ages 12 to 19 will gather to be equipped and encouraged to “be the church today.”

Charity Smith, an admissions counselor for Clarks Summit University, has been a counselor for the convention; this year she will serve as dean of women. She is especially excited to welcome these, “students who are passionate about growing in their walk with Christ and who also want to develop their leadership skills.”

Convention Highlights

The convention will include devotions, teaching sessions, activities, Bible quizzing and Ministry Training Areas, ranging from music and art to apologetics and sign language. “Ministry Training Areas are created to encourage teens to participate in their church’s worship time and take initiative,” explains Smith. “The heartbeat of IFCA Youth is for students to recognize they are the church of today! Students should be involved in the church just as much as an adult.”

IFCA and Clarks Summit University

Travis Huseby is IFCA’s national youth representative and the associate pastor of youth and Christian education at Byron Center Bible Church in Byron Center, Michigan. He says, “This event will be a great fit because our passion is the same,” comparing IFCA and Clarks Summit University. “Yes, we know and love the gospel and are committed to that. But even on a secondary level, we are similar. Our goal is to ‘encourage and equip students for service in the local church today.’  I have been on campus multiple times, and I know this is what Clarks Summit University is all about as well. IFCA at Clarks Summit University has been a hope and a dream for us all in the past three years, and I am so thankful that we will get to unite forces for a week to see teens grow!”

Featured Speaker

The featured speaker for the convention is Mel Walker, Clarks Summit University’s vice president for communications and external relations. “Mel is a tight fit because he has been pouring himself into the ministry of ‘Vision for Youth’ for years doing what we have been doing, mentoring teens to serve today,” says Huseby.