Identity. Culture. Mission.
February 4, 2023 | Totowa, NJ
RISE is a youth conference for 8th-12th graders. At RISE, students will discover their identity in Christ, learn how to deepen their faith in an ever-changing culture, and enter into a movement of young people living out the mission of God every day, everywhere.
Day-Of Schedule
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Check-in
9:30AM - 10:40AM
SESSION 1
Games, Worship, Talk, + More
10:40AM - 11:15AM
Break // Free Snacks
11:25AM - 12:10PM
Identity Breakouts
12:10PM - 1:15PM
Break // Lunch provided
1:25PM - 2:30PM
SESSION 2
Games, Worship, Talk, + More
2:40PM - 3:25PM
Culture Breakouts
3:25PM - 4:15PM
Break
4:25PM - 6:00PM
SESSION 3
Games, Worship, Talk, + More
Breakout Sessions
You'll have the opportunity at RISE to attend one Identity breakout and one Culture Breakout.
Check out the lineup below and consider which sessions you'd like to attend.
Identity Breakouts
The work God does in us and the things that get in the way
United States of Loneliness & Anxiety
Pastor Jake Minnema, Hawthorne Gospel Church
It’s no secret we are suffering from an epidemic of loneliness and anxiety. Yet, we were created for wholeness. If that was God’s design, why aren’t we experiencing it? Pursuing wholeness now is a process of waiting for something that will never come this side of heaven, but there is still hope! We can see glimpses of it now. You don’t have to fill the voids on your own. This session will help you trust Jesus to be enough and believe that You are enough, too.
What is My Story?
Tim Dedrick, Touch the World
What is Your Story? This session will explore the broken and beautiful parts of your life that make you you. By investigating how God has worked in your life, you will use that insight as a method for which to share your story with others. You will be provided tools for better identifying Your Story and how God has been and continues to be at work in your life. Discover all the ways God wants to invite you into His Story.
Fixer Upper
Minister Reggie Alvarez, Christian Cultural Center
Nicole Dedrick, Cornerstone Christian Church
Do you feel like something in your life needs fixing? You’ve likely been hurt by others, and you’ve also likely been the one causing a hurt. This session will be testimony driven from stories. Hear what it means to confess and receive forgiveness, and learn practical ways to do so. It’s time to drop the weight of guilt, sin, and shame and pick up a new way forward.
Being OK with You
Cory Daniels, The Chapel
Do you struggle with feeling like you have to prove your worth to keep your friends? Are you tired of striving—keeping a streak, curating an image, performing for admiration—and in need of true rest for your soul? This workshop will address how to respond to your daily pressures, what it means to “be still,” and how to be enough.
Culture Breakouts
The work God does through us and between us and the things that get in the way
Villains & Heroes
Minister Dario Lariosa, Christian Cultural Center
Relationships based in fear turn others into either heroes or villains. We either value people too much or too little. So, how do you base relationships on something other than fear? How do you fight against “cancel culture” and dehumanizing narratives? Is it possible to build trust and break cycles of cynicism? This session will help you explore healthy relationships based on acceptance, so you can find belonging and be a safe space for others to belong.
Loving God, Loving Me, Loving God's Community
Rev. Ashley Lipscomb, Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
Who has society deemed to be loveable? How have the world and those around us hindered us from loving the best parts of ourselves and those around us? This workshop will help you cultivate genuine relationships with yourself, those around you, and neighbors you have yet to meet. Additionally, it will explore how much your own social location and story impact the way in which you view the world and those in it.
Communicating Across Cultures
Andrea Kroeze, Touch the World
It can be hard to relate to others from different backgrounds and cultures. This session will explore culture and its significant impact on our everyday interactions. By first identifying our own cultural biases, we will be opened up to understanding and listening to others. Leave equipped with three ways to communicate across cultures so that you can lovingly engage with those who are different from you.
Done With Church
Lauren Panzica, Greenhouse Arts Center
Noel Owuor, Bridgepoint Church
Paul Lee, The Plant Church
With all the cultural divisions and political arguments, church might seem irrelevant. Or worse, full of hypocrisy. Come hear stories from those who have had serious struggles with the American church but yet are committed to being a faithful participant in the body of believers. This session will be a place to express your frustrations but also receive a challenge. Every church is broken, but we are called to join God in making all things right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RISE and who is hosting it?
RISE is a one-day event for 8th-12th graders from youth groups across NJ, NY, and PA. Our theme for RISE 2023 is created, based on Ephesians 2:10.
RISE is hosted by Touch the World, a youth missions organization based in Allendale, NJ that equips youth to live out the mission of God every day, everywhere. Touch the World partners with churches to train and send out youth teams on short-term mission trips both locally and globally.
What is included in the ticket price?
Your ticket to RISE includes all programming and lunch on Saturday, February 4th. Programming encompasses all games, activities, worship, and breakout sessions.
What's for lunch? What if I have dietary restrictions?
Lunch is included with your ticket. We are providing sandwiches for lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any specific dietary concerns, you are welcome to bring your own lunch. We'll also have plenty of snacks available throughout the day.
Is there a leader to student ratio required for groups?
We recommend a leader to student ratio of 1:5, but there is no requirement for signups.
Is there parking onsite?
Yes, there is limited parking available at Emergence Church. We strongly encourage carpooling and traveling together in vans.
What is the cancellation policy?
Tickets are transferable but non-refundable.
Still have questions? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 201-760-9925.