NextGen Conference
Youth leaders have a difficult job that leaves them feeling alone and lacking in wisdom on how to best minister to students. The PCA values you in student ministry, and the Nextgen Conference seeks to equip, encourage, and empower Youth Leaders. Youth Leaders will leave this conference with connections to help them serve in the Student Ministry they’re called to and with training that they can implement in their unique setting. We will have options for seminars, downtime to be encouraged by other Youth Leaders, and great evenings of worship!
2025 Keynote Speaker and Musicians
Joe Novenson
Joe was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Joe’s bride, Barb was also born outside of metro-Philadelphia and they met in the summer before Barb’s first year in high school. As high school sweethearts they married when they both completed college.
Barb was among the first Christian’s with whom Joe had any extended relationship. It was her Christ-like character, even as a young woman in high school, that stunningly embodied and clearly expressed the beautiful realities of Jesus’ Kingdom and Grace right before Joe’s heart and mind. They attended Young Life together and in 1968 Christ gave Joe the gifts of repentance and faith for which Barb had been praying.
Barb and Joe were called to ministry side by side in their college years, just before marrying. Upon completion of seminary at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA Joe has served churches in the Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA, Lexington, SC and Lookout Mountain, TN.
God has graciously granted Joe opportunities to sit at the feet of and serve by the sides of servants of Jesus in Haiti, India, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkey. He also treasures his friendship with pastors who serve the under-resourced parts of Chattanooga, TN. The Christ-like radiance of the lives of Christians in these cultures and contexts have significantly shaped his life and walk with Christ.
Barb and Joe have three children and 5 grandchildren.
David and Jonathan Harris
Worship Team and Directors of Middle School and High School Youth
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis
David and Jonathan serve as the middle and high school directors at Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Maryland. They have a deep passion for sharing the gospel with students and teaching about Jesus Christ. Having begun their time in ministry as worship arts staff, they enjoy facilitating worship through praise music. Jonathan and David started their ministry journey in 2017.
Conference Schedule
Monday, October 20
2:00pm – Certificate Cohort Final Projects
4:00pm – Check-in / Welcome
4:30pm – Pre-Conference Training
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Large Group – Session 1
8:30pm – Dessert and Fellowship
9:30pm – Hangout
Tuesday, October 21
9:00am – Coffee and Hang
9:30am – Large Group – Session 2
10:30am – Breakout Seminars 1
11:30am – Breakout Seminars 2
2:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Breakout Seminars 3
2:30 to 6pm – Free Time
6:00pm – Dinner on Your Own
7:00pm – Large Group – Session 3
8:30pm – Hangout
Wednesday, October 22
9:00am – Coffee and Hang
9:30am – Panel Q&A
10:30am – Large Group – Session 4
11:30am – Head Home
Location and Lodging
Chapelgate Presbyterian Church
2600 Olive Branch Way, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Hotel Options:
You are expected to make plan for your own lodging for the conference. We have negotiated a discounted rate for a couple of hotels near the conference where some of our team will be staying.
Turf Valley Resort
2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Start Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
End Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Offering special group rate:
-
Turf Valley Resort (www.turfvalley.com/reservations)
10% off when you use our corporate code: TV270111
OR ask for Chapelgate Presbyterian Church Rate when you call
Hampton Inn by Hilton – Columbia
8880 Columbia 100 Parkway, Columbia, Maryland 21045
Start Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
End Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Offering special group rate:
-
Hampton Inn by Hilton – Columbia (Click Here)
