More than 110 participants from across North America gathered at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, June 11-14, for the ONETEAM Club Ministries Coordinators convention. Jointly organized by the university, AdventSource, and North American Division Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the event was designed to inspire and equip Adventurer, Pathfinder, and Master Guide — or club ministry — coordinators.

Local conference youth/club ministries departments typically appoint these lay leaders to serve designated areas for set terms. Coordinators support conference departments and local area coordinators, who then assist church club directors. Under the direction of the local conference department, they also facilitate staff and leadership certifications, support induction and investiture ceremonies, and help plan camporees and other Pathfinder and Adventurer events.

Attendee Korey Anthony-Chisholm appreciated the event’s acknowledgment of the scope of coordinators’ responsibility. “Coordinators are not simply event helpers; they are connectors, mentors, resource guides, and culture carriers for Club Ministries,” Anthony-Chisholm said.

He added, “The convention created space for area coordinators, specialty coordinators, executive coordinators, assistant coordinators, and other ministry leaders to learn together, ask questions, and better understand how our work fits into the larger mission of Adventurer, Master Guide, and Pathfinder Ministries.”

Convention speakers addressed timely topics such as inclusion, mentoring, leadership development, volunteer retention, club safety, and ministry administration. Speakers included NAD leaders Paolo Macena (leadership director) and Tracy Wood (Youth and Young Adult Ministries director), as well as NAD club ministries coordinators and other experts.

One featured resource was a new Adventist Youth Ministries Certification (AYMC) course, “Inclusion of Youth With Disabilities,” presented by its lead developer, Deanna Lambert.

Lambert shared why this knowledge is vital. “Every child is created in the image of God and is a valued member of the body of Christ. Intentional inclusion moves us beyond simply welcoming individuals to creating environments where everyone can fully engage and thrive.”

The training aimed to help leaders better understand the diverse needs and strengths of children and youth with disabilities, remove barriers, and make reasonable accommodations.

“Ultimately, I want leaders to see inclusion not as an additional program, but as an essential part of discipleship and ministry,” Lambert said.

[Click here to purchase the “Inclusion of Youth with Disabilities” course at AdventSource.]

Mentorship was another highlight. Macena facilitated three workshops on mentoring, while Wood’s sessions centered on strengthening the coordinator ministry through annual conventions, Adventist Learning Community (ALC) courses, and the Teen Leadership Training program.

“The most valuable experience I took away from the convention was about mentorship. As leaders, we are called to be mentors, and in order to lead, we must be able to delegate. If we do not delegate, we will burn out,” said participant Violet John, continuing, “If we take the time to mentor, the mentee will in turn mentor someone else.”

John noted that she had been asked to mentor a future area coordinator. She purchased Macena’s handbook, The Mentorship Guide, at the convention, and later planned to take an ALC mentorship course. “I believe [these resources] will be a tremendous help to me in mentoring,” she concluded.

The convention opened Thursday night with Andre McCloud, president of AdventSource, challenging coordinators to share the light God has given them. Following McCloud’s lead, weekend devotionals and testimonies reinforced the NAD Youth and Young Adult Ministries’ “One Team” theme, rooted in Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:21-23.

On Friday evening, after a powerful charge by the Pathfinder coordinators, youth directors, and pastors anointed every coordinator as a reminder of their holy calling. The anointing ceremony underscored the value of their service on the frontlines of ministry.

As the convention drew to a close, participants expressed gratitude for the training and connections inspiring them to continue serving as “One Team” in Jesus.

“Overall, the convention affirmed that Club Ministries is strongest when leaders are connected, trained, resourced, and working together with a shared mission,” Anthony-Chisholm said.

Then, he expressed shared sentiments: “I hope this summit continues under the NAD umbrella and is replicated at the union level so more coordinators can benefit from this kind of focused training and fellowship.”

~Author Armando Mirando Jr. is the NAD’s associate director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Club Ministries leader. Additional reporting by NAD Communication.