DM2 Youth Workshops
What is a DM2 Youth Conference?
Years ago, DM2 started with the idea that it would train pastors from third world countries in the Word of God so they could equip their congregations to fulfill the great commission more effectively. Around 2014, DM2 missionaries took the same high-level verse-by-verse teaching methodology and employed it with youth in America and haven't looked back since. From these conferences, young lives are revived through God's Word, and those who are revived begin investing in and teaching others. We at DM2 cannot adequately explain the amazing results that are coming from these youth conferences. It's so encouraging. We have found that with a little encouragement, youth can keep this chain of disciple-making going by teaching others, either one-on-one or on a larger scale.
The model and vision we cast through youth conferences readily replicates. What we are seeing - young adults engaged in effective ministry - is nothing short of miraculous. To God alone be the glory! The aim of these conferences is to train and equip youth in America with the truth of God's Word and empower them to replicate it and teach it to others (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2). Since Jesus builds His church through disciple making, it has been a blessing to see Him raise up disciple makers through DM2 youth ministry. These youth go on to become firm building blocks in local churches and function as positive influences in their friend circles.​
The bulk of our attendees are anywhere from junior high to college age. However, we always advertise these conferences as being for those "young and young at heart." As an idea, at one conference, the youngest attendee was 8 years old, and the oldest attendee was 70+. As we always say, there's no better way to bridge the generational gap than having one of these conferences. Most ministries today will segregate based on age, but we have found that keeping the church (all ages and walks of life) together is very productive and encouraging.
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Going back into the Scriptures, we can see where young people have been used by God to change their world.
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In the Old Testament, when the exodus generation of adults rebelled against the Lord, Joshua led the younger generation into the Promised Land. "Your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it." Deuteronomy 1:39
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David was a young man when he became a hero and led his nation to excel against all their enemies. Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth… 1 Samuel 17:33, 41-47
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One of the greatest revivals in Israel’s history started with a boy, King Josiah. At age 16 he started following the Lord and then at 22 he led Israel to purify the land of idols. "For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images." 2 Chronicles 34:3
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God chose Jeremiah to be his prophet when he was very young. Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak." Jeremiah 1:6,7
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God had John the Baptist begin his ministry of turning the hearts of Israel back to the Lord when He was in his twenties. Mark 1:6
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The greatest disciple-maker of all time was young. “When began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age…” Luke 3:23
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The men who started the church of Jesus Christ, the greatest revival of all time, were from ages approximately 18-30 when they began. Matthew 28:19-20
We at DM2 encourage you to not fall into society’s trap of underestimating our youths’ desire to learn the truth and get involved in a challenge. Paul believed in Timothy and put him to work. He told Timothy not to give anyone a chance to … "look down on [his] youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show [himself] an example of those who believe." In the spirit of these thoughts, we are trying to raise the bar for youth in America. By teaching them the truth with the purpose of empowering them to teach others, we are giving them an opportunity to become part of something bigger than themselves. What an exciting thing to be a part of God's church building process!
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We have found the DM2 curriculum to be a useful tool, especially among youth. The Bible verses are embedded within the curriculum, guiding the verse-by-verse study. Each point has a fill-in blank that attendees write-in from the corresponding teacher’s PowerPoint presentation. This is not only an engaging style of learning, but after we finish the book, each participant has a completed notebook that can be reviewed later. Participants are encouraged to take the curriculum and use it as a tool to teach others in their own discipleship.
A DM2 Conference From A Parental Perspective
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“Living in our world today it's so easy to believe lies. We are bombarded daily by false notions about who God is and how he operates. But at a recent DM2 youth conference at Beaumont Bible Church I had the privilege of spending 5 days immersed in a verse-by-verse study of the book of Colossians that refuted these lies one by one and left me speechless at the feet of Jesus.
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Specifically, we learned that truth does matter and, in fact, has a name -Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are rooted in Him, built up in Him, and alive and complete in Him. We also learned how we can be duped into living a counterfeit life through relying on philosophy, legalism, mysticism, or asceticism, rather than Jesus Christ. The teaching was first-class, and the examples, skits, and PowerPoint illustrations drove home the verses, making them relevant to my life.​
But not only have we believed lies about God; we have believed lies about young people as well. We've been told they are the "me first" generation and that they have short attention spans, need to be coddled and entertained, and can’t do much more than taking selfies and operating electronic gadgets. But, during the Colossians Youth Conference these lies were refuted as well. What I witnessed instead was a room full of young people doing the unthinkable: sitting for 8 to 10 hours a day, opening up their Bibles and studying scripture verse-by-verse day after day! I saw a group of young people spend 50 hours in one week covering an entire Book of the Bible with the kind of in-depth analysis not even seen today in advanced educational settings. Sure, I saw a few kids doze off every now and then, but what was amazing is that I also saw those same kids get back up, dust themselves off, open their Bibles and plow ahead. I saw every one of them finish strong. We didn't lose a single young person in terms of attendance, and we gained a few along the way. To God be the Glory!
You see, DM2 youth conferences are not like typical modern day youth conferences. There aren't any bells or whistles or big-name speakers. The only entertainment is the spontaneous exercises, games, and other random activities that occur naturally during breaks throughout the week. The focus is on the Word of God. And oh, did I mention, the high-level teaching I described is done by the youth themselves? As a matter of fact, five of the eight young men who taught at the conference I learned had never taught before. This is disciple making in action and was so refreshing and exciting to see.
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Yes, we are surrounded by lies, but we don't have to believe them. We only have 24 hours in a day and sometimes it's hard to decide how to invest our time and energy because there are so many worthy causes screaming for our attention. After attending a few DM2 youth conferences, my husband and I are convinced there is no better way to spend the resources God has given us than to have a front row seat, or even a back-row seat, to what God is doing with a handful of young people who are willing to be used by God to reach the next generation. If God is going to salvage our country, you can rest assured it will only be through the transformation of the next generation. If millennials and gen-Z are not grounded in the truths of God's Word (as we see happening all around us), churches in our country could easily become relics of the past and we could be looking at a very different America in 20 years.
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So, won't you join us in prayer for these youth conferences? Check the DM2Youth Facebook page for locations and details and get in on what God is doing. Could you host a conference at your church? Could you provide a meal or some snacks during a conference? Could you house a few lively teenagers for a few days? Could you sponsor traveling expenses for someone who might not get to attend otherwise? Could you just come and be an encouragement to young people while you get inspired and blessed?
If you watch the news, you'll be bombarded with everything that is wrong in the world, but at a DM2 youth conference you'll get a glimpse of what is right. Don't miss it. Get plugged in. I promise you; this is something you don't want to miss.”
DM2 Youth Testimonies
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The goal of the DM2 Youth Conferences is to see each young person's thinking line up more completely with the truth of God's Word. On a post-conference survey, we were able to see a significant jump in understanding with 70% of all students indicating by their answers that they understood the gospel and eternal security very clearly. Here are a few comments from the survey:
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"I have learned that I cannot be saved by good works or what I feel. Christ died for me the imperfect sinner, therefore I can do nothing for myself to enter heaven rather, instead of leaning on my own understanding, I have to put my trust in the Lord. It is what Christ through God did for me."
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"I learned so much, but one very important thing I got from this DM2 conference is how we are saved, by believing. I always heard about believing, but also thought we had to (do other things) .... but DM2 just opened my eyes and showed me the difference between two totally different things."
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"I learned that I'm going to heaven and that I can beat temptations with God."
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"I have learned so, so much, and it has really got me thinking. I cannot wait until next year!"
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"I learned about heresies and was constantly encouraged and reminded about my identity in Christ." I learned that God will never leave me."
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"I know now how to tell when gospels are false or unclear and that standing up for the true gospel is not something I need to be afraid of."
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"I love this conference so much! The friendships and knowledge built here are a unique and wonderful thing."
Why Attend?
Strengthen your personal relationship with God
Be encouraged and inspired by high-level, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible
Learn how to share your faith more effectively
Be equipped to face the challenges of today's culture with faith and hope
Build meaningful relationships with others
