Youth and children's programs

Children and youth are welcome to join their parents for the National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference. There will be concurrent tracks for youth (defined as grades 7-12) and children (defined as grades 1-6). Chris and Kim Joiner from First Presbyterian, Franklin, Tennessee, have created a program for young people across the United States. Service projects based in the Nashville community as well as coming together with youth and children worshiping at Nashville churches will highlight their experience.

All children and youth will be required to complete a medical form as well as a parental consent form prepared by the Office of Risk Management, PC(USA). Download the forms: 

Participant Medical Information Form - Authorization for medical treatment

Permission authorization/release of liability

Youth and Children flyer

Send these forms to the conference office

By fax (888) 728-7228 x5088 or mail:

National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference
Office 2047B
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, Ky. 40202

All transportation (church buses and vans) will be provided by Nashville congregations. Drivers have been screened and are licensed to drive this size of vehicle. All volunteers who work with children and youth will also be screened; this will be done by the Human Resources Office, PC(USA).

Please remember that Nashville’s weather can be hot and humid, requiring sunscreen and hats as well as old clothes — preferably long pants — for participation in the service projects.

You Will Be My Witnesses: Come and See

Friday, August 31, 2007

This event begins with a gathering from the north, south, east and west of youth and children. During the gathering we will introduce the theme for the event and meet some of the folks with whom we will be working on Saturday. We will hear the ancient call to come and see what God is doing in our midst as we celebrate our diversity and experience our unity in Christ.

4:00 p.m. Opening Worship with Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Gathering in Christ: Building a Community of Witnesses (Games)
8:15 p.m. Worship
8:45 p.m. Theme Presentation: Commissioning for Service

Learn and Grow

Saturday, September 1, 2007

When we engage in service outside ourselves and participate with others who may be different from us, we are open to learning new things about God and ourselves and growing as disciples of Jesus Christ.

8:30 a.m. Board Buses and depart Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center
9:00 a.m. Arrive work sites for service projects
Noon Lunch on-site
1:00 p.m. Work Sites – continue service projects
4:00 p.m. Board Buses
4:30 p.m. Return to Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center

The youth (grades 7-12) will spill out into the city of Nashville and join together with various agencies in the city to work on service projects. Whether it is befriending and feeding the homeless, conducting a carnival for inner-city children or swinging hammers with Habitat for Humanity, we will discover together the job of Christ that comes with working in partnership with our sisters and brothers in need.

The children (grades 1-6) will also engage in smaller scale service projects, as well as other activities in and around the city of Nashville, all designed to help raise awareness of our common calling to serving Christ in the world. All of these community activities for both children and youth will seek to increase awareness of the multicultural context of ministry in the city and expose participants to a wide range of racial and cultural diversity.

Go and Witness

Sunday, September 2, 2007

We will join together in worship with one of the multicultural PC(USA) congregations in Nashville, followed by a time of reflecting on our experience of service and learning together what it means to return home ready to answer the call of Christ.

9:00 a.m. Load Buses/Depart for Church
9:30 a.m. Church School
11:00 a.m. Worship
Noon Lunch followed by games
2:00 p.m. Exploration of Theme
4:00 p.m. Worship
5:00 p.m. Load Buses for departure
5:30 p.m. Arrive at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center
6:00 p.m. Dinner

Empowered by the encounter with God in worship and encouraged by our new friendships, we go back to our homes ready to witness to the presence of Christ in the world and to the love of God, which transcends all races, classes, and cultures and unites us into one body.

Monday, September 3, 2007

7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast