Doors of Opportunity Workshop ​2020 canceled

Due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Doors of Opportunity Workshop has been canceled for 2020. After our Sojourner coordinators have an opportunity to review future plans, we will announce a rescheduled workshop for the future.

​Sojourners and York College have joined hands again to present Doors of Opportunity 2020, scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

Again this year there is no fee to attend, but your registration will help ensure meals, handouts, and set up for the day are ready for you and all our guests!

EXTRAS FOR THE DAY
Clayton Museum of Ancient History featuring the Stanback Collection - take a tour of the Clayton Museum, York’s own collection of ancient artifacts. A special, temporary exhibit, THE STORY OF THE BIBLE: Word of God, Hand of Man gives an overview of how the Bible was preserved and passed on over more than 3,000 years. It is a must-see for every Bible class teacher. As always, admission to the museum is free.

Campus Bookstore - The campus store will be open for guests for shopping and to learn about resources available to you.

Lodging options in York, Nebraska

2020 Workshop Schedule - canceled

REGISTRATION, COFFEE AND SCONES starting at 8:00 a.m.
Bartholomew Performing Arts Center,  at 1098 E 10th Street, York, NE 68467

OPENING SESSION - 8:45 a.m. (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)
Just Mercy: Romans 3:23-26 - Visit a church behind prison walls and wonder at what we can learn about the Lord’s church. Together let’s see the vision of the church while contemplating justice, mercy and righteousness. We’ll pose the questions, “Where are we?” “Who do we serve?” and “Where are we going in the church?” Dan Kafka

SESSION TWO - 10:15 a.m.
Make Parents a Part of Your Team - Bible class teachers need parents on the team to win our children’s hearts for Christ and keep them close to Him. Linda Thomas
 
Knowing the Heart of God—From Creation to the Cross - They may know the story, but do they know God? This session will focus on intentional methods to teach God’s story to elementary age children so they can come to know Him in a very real and personal way. Lou Ann Jordan
 
Volunteer Youth Ministry - More and more of today's churches don't have staff, so they need volunteers. But who has the time, energy, experience, or giftedness to help build His church in this way?! Come see how volunteer youth ministry can and does work! Adam and BryAnna Brock
 
The Use of Evidence in Personal Evangelism - What to do and what to avoid doing in teaching others about Christ using Christian Evidences. John Clayton
 
Is Your Church Toxic? - Are we unknowingly poisoning our own efforts to reach our communities for Christ? How can we recognize our own toxicity and what can we do about it? Steve Tucker 
 
The Program for Church Growth in the 21st Century - By looking at successful examples of churches that have increased in size and seeing how they did it, we will discover ways to emulate them. Jeff Schipper             
 
The Power of Unexpected Extras - Practical, implementable ideas to encourage those in your life by doing the unexpected extras. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” 2 Cor. 9:11. Ben Smail

SESSION THREE - 11:15 a.m.
Beginning the W.A.L.K. - The important start to all of our journeys is understanding important and unfailing truths about God. Come and explore specific truths that we can teach to preschoolers to help jumpstart their very own walk with God. Jenna Stephenson
 
What? How? Why? -  Developing Bible class curriculum can seem daunting. This session will discuss what you need to know to begin writing a plan of instruction for the children in your congregation. Anita Palmer
 
Ministering WITH Youth, Not TO Them -  This presentation includes ministry concepts, guiding principles, organization, goals, objectives, and over 100 activities. Ben Zickefoose
 
A Door Knocked is a Friend Gained - A presentation of several scenarios where a knock on the door of a stranger brings positive results. David and Christie Bell
             
What Kind of Faith Do You Have? - Many of us have an inherited faith or a blind faith, but God calls us to an evidential faith so that we can “be prepared to give an answer” for our beliefs. John Clayton
 
MATHETIS: World Bible School’s NEW Social Network for Spiritual Growth -  Looking to grow in faith while reaching new generations with the gospel. This social media discipling tool helps start conversations full of love and truth. Bill Colwell
 
Our stories translate into His glory - These two people struggled without God in their lives for years. Then they were led to Jesus and that is where they stand—serving others and bringing glory to God. Brian and Elizabeth Brassfield

LUNCH - 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Mackey Center Cafeteria

Be sure to take the opportunity to walk through the Clayton Museum of Ancient History, located in the lower level of the Mackey Center and visit the Campus Bookstore, located in Childress Hall, just east of the Mackey Center.

SESSION FOUR - 1:30 p.m.
Experiencing the W.A.L.K. -  They’ve heard the story; now they need to experience it. Discover ways to create experiences that allow our preschoolers to connect with the story of Christ. Jenna Stephenson
 
Living Like Jesus - Moving from knowledge to action is an important component of a child’s faith development. Teachers can use practical, hands-on-activities to guide elementary age children to discover the importance of living like Jesus! Lou Ann Jordan
 
Relational Youth Ministry - This session will talk about how to build, foster, and strengthen relationships with any teenager no matter what we may think stands in the way.  We will also discuss some of the biggest hurdles the church has created in fostering healthy relationships with today's youth. If you feel unequipped, this one is for you! Adam and BryAnna Brock
 
Worship--Prepare to Meet God - We’ll look to scripture to see what God intended for us in worship, learning from Old Testament example and New Testament freedom. God desires holiness and righteousness from His people in life, business, family and worship. Let’s experience “the refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap” in our lives as we examine worship within, without and through the week. Dan Kafka
 
Let Us Help You - Sojourners want to help small congregations of the North Central States. Churches can request help with physical and spiritual needs. Sojourners also offer instructional workshops on many topics that encourage and challenge Christians in powerful ways. Ronnie Clark
 
Women, Listen Up! - God has a place for you. You were made to order for His purpose. By examining the scriptures with prayerful confidence, we can discover His plan for our lives. Linda Thomas             
 
Teaching Outside the Box - Challenging our Bible classes to look at the word of God with fresh eyes. Steve Tucker

SESSION FIVE - 2:30 p.m.
W.A.L.K, Skip and a Jump - Children are designed to move! Come and see creative ways to help children learn through what they do best—play! Jenna Stephenson and Lou Ann Jordan
             
Instilling Faith in Children through Science - A presentation of how to help children see that the Bible is true in everything it says. Science is a wonderful tool to build a lifelong faith in children. John Clayton
 
Leadership Training for Christ—What do I need to know? - You may have heard of it. Maybe you have no idea. Come and learn how this program can benefit the youth of your church. Anita Palmer
 
Before and After - Important things to know and do before you knock on that door and after you have brought someone to Christ. David Bell
 
And he began at that point… - An interactive discussion of what to know, how to remember, and how to share Jesus Christ. Joe Thomas
 
Taking Jesus to the people - First Corinthians 9:19-22 tells us that we need to meet people where they are. Bobby Bruggeman
 
Let your faith . . . Win! - Christians are tested everyday with challenges that test their faith. God allows us to be tested. How can we turn to our faith to help us meet those challenges and let our faith win? Ronnie Clark

QUESTIONS? Contact workshop coordinators, Joe and Linda Thomas at lindathomas52@hotmail.com or 580-309-0049.