PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
PRE-CONFERENCE $10 SLYC ’25 9am-12pm
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
With Zac Workun, Amanda Mejias and Kate Downing AUG. 22, 2025
SYLC Pre-Conference — Friday, August 22, 2025
Woodland Park Baptist Church | Chattanooga, TN
Before the main event begins, join us for an exclusive SYLC Pre-Conference experience created to fuel one of the most vital parts of your ministry: relationships. This isn’t just another conference—it’s a deep dive into the heart of what makes youth ministry functioning, impactful, and sustainable. Sleep easier, lead with confidence, and build a youth ministry that lasts.
Relationships / Discipleship
The Stuff That Grows Students / The Things That Last
For those that are leading students, partnering with parents, or building out a team of volunteers—this morning is tailored just for you. Through practical insights and real-life ministry wisdom, you’ll leave encouraged, equipped, and ready to lead stronger relational ministry.
Kate Downing
Kate Downing has been serving in Student and Girls Ministry for the last fifteen years at churches in Virginia, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. She currently serves as the Student Director at BattleCreek Church in Tulsa, OK and works alongside several ministries helping to teach and equip the next generation of ministers. Through teaching and writing, she loves to help others come to know Jesus and fall in love with God’s Word.
Session: Leading and Developing Volunteers
Don’t go it alone! And don’t recruit leaders without a plan for them! Get fresh strategies for building a team! It takes a team, with the right culture to multiply leaders, foster health, and keeps volunteers engaged and energized.
Zac Workun
Zac Workun currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students. Zac is also the co-founder and network lead for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac is a voracious reader, avid gamer, car-camper, folk musician, black coffee-drinker, beard aficionado. Enneagram 7 & ENFP. He loves to eat breakfast food at new places with his wife Karen and two wild boys Isaiah & Gideon.
For 15+ years, Zac has served on staff at local churches in Oklahoma and North Carolina to oversee the middle school, high school, and college-aged ministries. Zac received his undergraduate education from Oklahoma Baptist University and his Master’s of Divinity from Duke University.
Session: Equipping and Serving Parents
Bridge the gap between the church and the home. Hear the research of what churchgoing parents actually want from you and discover practical ways to partner with them as they become the primary spiritual leaders in their students’ lives.
Amanda Mejias
Amanda Mejias serves at Lifeway as the Specialist for girls ministry and women who lead in student ministry. She is passionate about equipping church leaders as they minister to and disciple students. She is living the dream, especially with her husband and two small kids by their side. Amanda is always down to hear a cheesy joke, grab coffee, and talk about golden retrievers.
Session: Discipling Students
Learn how to create authentic, trust-filled relationships with students that open doors for deeper discipleship and long-term spiritual growth for the girls and guys in your group!
