YOUTH
Bishop Ryan Bristow
Florida Youth & Discipleship Director
Youth & Discipleship
Welcome to the Youth and Discipleship Department
of the Church of God in Florida. Inside this page you will find useful information for youth and children’s ministry. Please view the Upcoming Events & Information below to find resources enabling you to download posters/promos, registration info, calendars, schedules, forms, media and much more. The Youth Department of Florida exists for the purpose to serve you! If you need anything pertaining to youth ministries, please do not hesitate to contact the Youth and Discipleship Department of the Church of God in Florida.
Bishop Ryan's desire is to see this NOW generation encounter the presence of God and to be filled with His Spirit.
of the Church of God in Florida. Inside this page you will find useful information for youth and children’s ministry. Please view the Upcoming Events & Information below to find resources enabling you to download posters/promos, registration info, calendars, schedules, forms, media and much more. The Youth Department of Florida exists for the purpose to serve you! If you need anything pertaining to youth ministries, please do not hesitate to contact the Youth and Discipleship Department of the Church of God in Florida.
Bishop Ryan's desire is to see this NOW generation encounter the presence of God and to be filled with His Spirit.
Paula Bristow
Girls Ministries Coordinator
Girls Ministries Coordinator
Girls Ministries
Florida Girls Ministries is an outreach of the Department of Youth and Discipleship to assist the local church in mentoring girls on their journey as Christ followers. Girls Ministries endeavors to provide club-based curricula (and more) that employs relevant, life-applicable lessons according to God’s Word. The result is thousands of young lives flourishing into spiritually pure, strong and dedicated women.
Upcoming Events & Information
YWEA25
Y&D Youth Ministry Certification Program
Interested in growing your skills in youth ministry? Look no further than Y&D Youth Ministry Certification Program designed to further your knowledge in this ministry. Through a series of requirements, you'll gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your ministry with the youth.
The 6 month program includes a monthly Zoom call (approximately 1 hour) If you're unable to attend, don't worry – you can always watch the recording at a later time.
In addition to the Zoom calls, you'll be required to read 5 books throughout the program, with a 2-page report due on each one. The reports should be double-spaced with 12 pt. font in Times New Roman (one report per month).
Finally, you'll be asked to write a final essay at the end of the program. This essay should be 5 pages long, double-spaced, and in 12 pt. font.
We are committed to supporting you throughout this season and look forward to seeing you grow in your ministry.
The 6 month program includes a monthly Zoom call (approximately 1 hour) If you're unable to attend, don't worry – you can always watch the recording at a later time.
In addition to the Zoom calls, you'll be required to read 5 books throughout the program, with a 2-page report due on each one. The reports should be double-spaced with 12 pt. font in Times New Roman (one report per month).
Finally, you'll be asked to write a final essay at the end of the program. This essay should be 5 pages long, double-spaced, and in 12 pt. font.
We are committed to supporting you throughout this season and look forward to seeing you grow in your ministry.
FYLA CON24
Youth & Children's Leader Conference
September 20-21
in Wimauma, FL
FYLA Con is designed with Youth and Children's leaders in mind.
To give Youth and Children’s leaders helpful content that is informative and inspiring. You will experience breakout sessions, round table discussions, inspirational messages, intentional social hangouts and networking, multiple message series and content to take home with you and so much more!
September 20-21
in Wimauma, FL
FYLA Con is designed with Youth and Children's leaders in mind.
To give Youth and Children’s leaders helpful content that is informative and inspiring. You will experience breakout sessions, round table discussions, inspirational messages, intentional social hangouts and networking, multiple message series and content to take home with you and so much more!
2024- 2025
We are excited to announce our upcoming dates for 2024-2025! Mark your calendars, you're not going to want to miss these events. We can't wait to see you there! We are believing the Lord is going to do great things!
Looking for a Youth or Kids Pastor Position?
Florida Youth & Discipleship is currently seeking individuals who are passionate about working with youth and children. If you feel called to serve in this area, we encourage you to apply by filling out the application below. We are thrilled to see how God will use you to impact the lives of young people in Florida!
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ENCOUNTER CONFERENCE 2024
Student Leader Conference
November 8-9
in Wimauma, FL
Encounter Conference focuses on connecting student leaders with proven leadership tools and mentors. Encounter is a two-day intensive ministry training for next-gen leaders. Hand-picked students from your group will experience practical and tactical coaching that they can bring home and put to work in their local church and community. Your best leaders may be your students. Give them what they need to succeed.
November 8-9
in Wimauma, FL
Encounter Conference focuses on connecting student leaders with proven leadership tools and mentors. Encounter is a two-day intensive ministry training for next-gen leaders. Hand-picked students from your group will experience practical and tactical coaching that they can bring home and put to work in their local church and community. Your best leaders may be your students. Give them what they need to succeed.
FYLA Games 2025
FYLA Games will be held
January 31 - February 1
in Wimauma, FL
FYLA Games is for grades 6th-12th, so start practicing and get ready for some amazing competition with other youth ministries across Florida! Which youth ministries have the skills and teamwork to bring home some FYLA Games trophies
? Let the training begin !
Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
January 31 - February 1
in Wimauma, FL
FYLA Games is for grades 6th-12th, so start practicing and get ready for some amazing competition with other youth ministries across Florida! Which youth ministries have the skills and teamwork to bring home some FYLA Games trophies
? Let the training begin !Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
KidJam 2025
KidJam will be held
February 7-8
in Wimauma, FL
KidJam is an overnight weekend experience for children in grades 1–5 that is strategically placed right in the middle of the school year. Kids from churches throughout the state of Florida gather together to get fired up with great worship and speakers ministering into their lives. The entire experience provides great fellowship for kids and a whole lot of fun for everyone.
Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
February 7-8
in Wimauma, FL
KidJam is an overnight weekend experience for children in grades 1–5 that is strategically placed right in the middle of the school year. Kids from churches throughout the state of Florida gather together to get fired up with great worship and speakers ministering into their lives. The entire experience provides great fellowship for kids and a whole lot of fun for everyone.
Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
florida State
Junior Talent 2026
Florida State Junior Talent will be held
TBA
in Wimauma, FL
Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
This is an International Junior Talent year. All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be eligible to compete International Junior Talent at General Assembly
The new Junior Talent manual is now available on the youth store at https://www.cogyd.org/cog-youth-store.
TBA
in Wimauma, FL
Location:
Lake Wimauma Convention Center
5408 SR 674, Wimauma, FL 33598
This is an International Junior Talent year. All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be eligible to compete International Junior Talent at General Assembly
The new Junior Talent manual is now available on the youth store at https://www.cogyd.org/cog-youth-store.
Curriculum Resources
Youth Sunday School
SEEN™ puts expert-tested, teen-transforming material in the hands of any youth leader. Three units make up each quarter. One unit is focused on spiritual growth, one is focused on character development, and one is focused on practical skills for life. Each unit is made up of four sessions in which essential principles are wrestled with and discussed through a biblical worldview.
Kids on a Mission 2022
Four action-packed lessons and activities designed for your local church Kid's Ministry.
Don't miss this valuable resource that will teach your kiddos to love missions!
Don't miss this valuable resource that will teach your kiddos to love missions!
Kids on a Mission 2023
NOW AVAILABLE!
The new Kids on a Mission curriculum is here!
These action packed lessons and activities will help instill a love for missions in your children.
The new Kids on a Mission curriculum is here!
These action packed lessons and activities will help instill a love for missions in your children.
2020 Girls Week
The curriculum is a fantastic study on this year’s YWEA Project and GOAM Project in Africa. It can be used anytime of the year and it is not necessary to have an organized club to utilize this excellent study on missions. All girls will enjoy being a part of this creative course!
Kids on a Mission 2024
NOW AVAILABLE!
The new Kids on a Mission curriculum is here!
These action packed lessons and activities will help instill a love for missions in your children.
The new Kids on a Mission curriculum is here!
These action packed lessons and activities will help instill a love for missions in your children.
SEALED
SEALED curriculum contains important truths, marked with a seal of authenticity that only God can place upon them. We’ve been warned that false doctrine is accumulating to destroy the faith of believers. “God’s solid foundation stands firm, with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His…”(2 Timothy 2:19). God intently longs for us to arrive at the heavenly destination of His Presence. It’s up to us to stand firmly on His solid foundation, learn His truths, and keep the bond that holds us protected and preserved to Him: SEALED.
Youth & Discipleship Videos
Kid Jam 2021
ENCOUNTER 2020
FYLA CON 2020
Youth & Discipleship Board
LEFT TO RIGHT: MATTHEW DYER, SCOTT CAMPBELL, CHAIRMAN; CALEB SKINNER, YOUTH & DISCIPLESHIP DIRECTOR; BISHOP CALEB CROOMS, LLOYD SMITH, NICOLE AMBROSIO, TERRY CLARK, AND JOSH HOLLINGSWORTH.
FYLA Board
Florida Youth Leaders Association
FCLA Board
Florida Children's Leaders Association
LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN KENNEDY, BLAYNE SPIRES, BEN PRIDGEON (CHAIRMAN), CALEB L. CROOMS (YOUTH & DISCIPLESHIP DIRECTOR), JOSH DANIEL (VICE CHAIRMAN), RICKY KELLEY, HANS HANSEN AND ZACH BRADSHAW (NOT PICTURED).
LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHEALA STACKHOUSE, BENJAMIN TAULBEE, ESTEBAN JUAREZ (CHAIRMAN), CALEB L. CROOMS (YOUTH & DISCIPLESHIP DIRECTOR), MATT CANNON (VICE CHAIRMAN), SANDY DYER, CHRISTINA WAINWRIGHT (NOT PICTURED) AND JACOB NEWTON (NOT PICTURED).