Resources
These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Oklahoma Conference Youth Ministries, and therefore bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
The Duke Youth Academy is a year-long program for young people to live in Christ and to think deeply about being Christian. Combining a week-long residency on the Duke University campus with a year of continuing mentorship, practice, and online community, DYA is a journey toward Christ's abundant life. For details, check here.
Engage: Youth Ministry & Contemporary Issues
Sexting. Race. Domestice violence. Marijuana. Engage is the IYM's new monthly resource, gathering insights from youth, young adults, pastors, scholars, and experts. Download the free lessons to jumpstart conversations with youth.
If you would like to receive action alerts about ways to use your voice to end trafficking, contact Donna Brandyberry at and ask her to add you to the Women's and Children's network.
- Teaching Sacred Worth
- Human Trafficking Faith & Facts cards (free educational tool. Only pay for shipping.)
- UM Social Principles
- Not My Life (documentary)
- Men Can Stop Rape (teaching & modeling healthy masculinity)
- Slavery Footprint (online survey)
- The Representation Project (media literacy & resources for gender equality)
- Fair Trade products
- "The 14 Athletic Wear Companies that Are Actually Good for the World"
- Www.tenthousandvillages.com
- www.sendaathletics.com
- *UMC has a partnership with Equal Exchange -chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea)
- ATEST(Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking)
- Made in A Free World
- National Human Trafficking Resource Center (hotline,stats by state & referral directory)
For more information:
Julie Geddes,, Senior Field Representative
Suicide Prevention
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
405-522-3835 Office | 405-388-8029 Cell
JGeddes
The film tells the story of Moses, including his relationship with Ramses, his back story of being saved as a baby by his mother's willingness to let him go, and of course his leading of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt.
Here's a link to the trailer: http://bit.ly/YN4ptw
- www.abovetheinfluence.com answers to questions drugs and alcohol
- The Cool Spot - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
- How Alcohol Affects the Adolescent Brain
- Quit Alcohol
Discovering what kids need to succeed
Good news - the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is providing $40,000 to help with the development of the BeADisciple Academy! This program was specifically designed to give your most committed youth a program with other deeply committed youth.
We are looking for a sample of youth from around the country and globe to be in our beta test year. For $48 your church can sponsor a youth in your congregation with a wonderful Disciple Bible study experience and a global online fellowship.
Curriculum from YouTheology Saint Paul School of Theology
Believe Curriculum has been created for use with youth and young adults. It can be used by youth groups, campus ministries, and any group that is looking for different ways to teach about the Christian faith and what it means to love God and neighbor.
Youth Disciple Online www.BeADisciple.com
www.BeADisciple.com is the host site for Youth Disciple Online and is a joint ministry of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD) and the Center for Youth Ministry Excellence (CYMX). It is provided for $35 per youth and is designed to help high school students learn and love the scriptures. This interactive small group experience is a great way to walk through the Bible over the course of year together. IFD and CYMX are affiliated ministries of Southwestern College, a United Methodist institute of higher education founded in 1885 in Winfield, Kansas.
Facilitator training for Youth Disciple Online (YDO) is now available. It is online and self paced so if fits any schedule. Leading High School youth through Disciple online would be a great ministry for youth workers of all types; paid and volunteer. http://www.beadisciple.com/workshops.html#youthdiscipleonline
Chrysalis is a spiritual formation program designed by the Upper Room, to bring youth closer to Christ. It is for high school youth sophomores through seniors. Journey is for youth who are in college.
Youth who have been to Chrysalis or Journey may join the "Heartland Chrysalis" facebook page. They will receive updates and announcements and be able to connect with other youth who have gone to Chrysalis.
If you have any questions about Chrysalis Flights, contact Rev. Dawn Richards at dawn.richards@sbcglobal.net
re:form Ancestors is a youth Bible study that explores the ancestors of our faith by exposing the real, unpolished and unexpected personalities of Old and New Testament Bible characters. With re:form Ancestors, youth discover similarities between themselves and the many unlikely people selected by God to do extraordinary things.
Churches who have confirmation classes that are for five or less participants may apply for free confirmation curriculum from the Oklahoma Conference Youth Ministries office.
The first step to avoiding drugs is knowing what they are and what they do when they are used.
Awareness group that aims to educate the public about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and medical devices that have the potential to cause patients serious harm. Their website is continually updated with drug recall news, recent FDA approvals, drug interactions, side effects, and current developments in the medical field.
A New Online Community for Those Who Work with Young People
The United Methodist Young People's Ministry of the General Board of Discipleship has created the Field Guide Network, an online community seeking to strengthen connections among those who serve young people in the church and connect them with capable mentors experienced in particular areas of ministry.
Anyone can visit www.fieldguideumc.org, search a network of approved "field guides" by areas of expertise, geography, or ministry context, and submit an online request for a short-term mentoring relationship.
Food for Orphans supplies the funds to purchase food for orphans around the world. Usually, food is purchased locally in their village, but sometimes we ship the food to the orphan project. For more information about this ministry see these links.
- Generic Parental Medical Consent Form (PDF)
- Safe Sanctuary Screenings
- Example Custody release form (for camp/event use)
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention Contact: Sharon Rodine, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (405)236-5437 Ext. 108; srodine@oica.org
- www.healthyteensok.org
iKids Flipboard Magazine Offers Insights
Add the Flipboard App on your smartphone and/or tablet and search for iKids to add the iKids Magazine to your device-weekly updates will keep you informed of the latest cultural changes that are affecting the iKids, the youngest generation born from 2000 to 2017.
Curated by Craig Kennet Miller from major news sources, topics include digital life, gaming, faith, generations, education, health, and parenting. It is an excellent way to supplement your teaching and training with the latest information about cultural trends affecting children, teens, and families. Use this URL to find it on your tablet: http://flip.it/iT3Q9. Add it to your smartphone by downloading the Flipboard app. Then search for iKids and subscribe to the magazine.
Movie Reviews UMC.org selects films to review
- Music with biblical references
- History of the song, "Pharaoh, Pharoah"
Parent's resources to Internet Safety
- Wired Safety
- Love our children usa
- www.netsmartz.org
- www.safekids.com
- Net Safe Kids
A parents guide to protecting their children both on the Internet and in the community. - Police Notebook
Athorough look at what Identity theft is, how it happens, and how to prevent it - esafety Guide
- Cyberbullying
- Understanding Cyberbullying in College
Tips, tools & solutions for recognizing and stopping bullying in social media and online
- Safe Sanctuaries (Oklahoma Conference)
- Van Safety Reducing the risk of rollover crashes in 15 passenger vans
- Operating Vehicles Legally and Safely
- Parents' Guide to Internet Safety The FBI'scomprehensive look at how to keep children safe on the Internet
- Online Bullying Tips to help when children are bullied online
- Guidebook Cyber and physical bullying are growing and undeniable problems, and like so many misunderstood issues, education and awareness are the best prevention tools we have. This guidebook's purpose is to do just that: educate students of all ages and their families about what bullying is, why it happens, and what they can do to prevent it.
- The Internet: A Breeding Ground for Online Pedophiles Article about pedophiles on the Internet
- Violence Against Children in Cyberspace Article about the various forms of violence toward children on the Internet
- How to protect your children on their smartphone
- Safety Information to Keep your Family Safe
Retreat Led by Youth for Younger Youth
Here is an idea that is working really well for one local congregation that you might use as a model. It seems like a great way local congregations can strengthen and expand their youth ministries through spiritual life retreats. Also see Transitioning to the T'weens for more information
"Religion and Spirituality on the Path Through Adolescence" The National Study of Youth and Religion
Resources that educate teens on issues that could potentially be dangerous, providing young people with the tools needed to make smart decisions.
Find program ideas and advice. Sign up today!
by Micheal Selleck This Youth ministry handbook is written for United Methodist youth and adults. This is your handbook. The intent is to help leaders, in response to God's guidance, discover a vision for ministry with youth. It is also meant to be a practical guide to help plan and implement effective youth ministry in local congregations.
The Covenant started as an idea in the UK in 2007 through conversations with youth workers about the experience of working in a church. All felt passionate about working with young people and committed to serving the churches that were paying them, but their experiences of being supported were mixed. Often it was simply because churches weren't aware of some of the pressures and issues the youth workers faced.
Smartphone Etiquette: A new study for parents of teens.
A phone can enhance communication and relationships. However, this technology can also take teens places parents do not want them to go.
There are numerous stories in the news and from fellow parents about teens using their smartphones for sexting (sending sexually explicit messages) and for cheating during tests.
Additionally, these phones can hurt a teen's relationships with friends and family if it becomes a replacement for close connections with others.
While technologies benefit us in so many ways, we also need to be aware of their dangers.