Any student worker knows the difference it makes when a fresher turns up ready to hit the ground running.  Every youth worker knows the tug of fear mixed with hope and anticipation when a young person leaves their last youth gathering before heading off to university. 

That is why the York Fusion office is buzzing that we're all heading down to Eastbourne in November for Youthwork: The Conference.  Its exciting because we know that student work in local churches can be absolutely transformed by up-for-it freshers.  We have seen again and again the difference made by students who arrive already missional, already committed to their own discipleship and already full of faith for what God is going to do in their three or four years.  Passionate, biblical, missional, leadership-inspiring youthwork not only changes young lives, but also lays transformational foundations for the future.  We're excited to stand with this conference as it seeks to equip youth workers to be going for that!  

Student workers - can I take this opportunity to encourage you to pray for the youth workers you know, in your church and elsewhere.  They are sowing seeds that you will reap fruit from, they are sending the young people that are going to arrive in your cities in freshers week.  "Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for.  Others have done the hard work and you have reaped the benefits of their labour".  John 4: 37-38

Youth workers - thank you!  Thank you for your commitment to this generation, to seeing them built up, well rooted, envisioned and equipped for all God has for them in this season; and to sending them well into the next.  

If you're a youth worker, can we encourage you to join us at Youthwork: The Conference on 18th-20th November in Eastbourne.  If you're a student worker, can we encourage you to be praying for those who are going - these two ministries are oh so entwined and should be so precious to one another!  And either way, please pray for those who are leading the conference and speaking at it that God will be using them to envision and empower youth workers from across our nation to see young people's lives transformed by the power of God for his glory!