Thriving Conference: Equipping You to Care For Tweens & Teens

Saturday, February 3, 9am - 3pm, Bethany Green Lake

Navigating the tween and teen years can be tough. Gather in community at the Thriving Conference to gain insights from expert speakers, participate in discussions, and learn skills that lead to flourishing. This event is especially for parents, caregivers, and those who work with tweens and teens.

Keynote Speaker

Mark Oestreicher (Marko) is dedicated to the thriving of teens, tweens and their families. Marko is a sought after speaker who seeks to engage communities to relate well with young people. An author or coauthor of dozens of books, including Youth Ministry 3.0 and What’s Right About Youth Ministry, a veteran youth worker and founding partner in The Youth Cartel, Marko brings decades of experience and resources to share in his plenary and breakout sessions.

Main Session: What's Unique About Today's Teenagers? In some ways, young people today are the same as they've been since the first teenager, wrestling with developmental realities that mark this season of their lives. But, in other ways, today's adolescent experience is nothing like the past. In this session, Marko will suggest some of these new realities for us to consider how to proactively respond.



Thriving Conference Host

Katie Douglass is an associate professor of Educational Ministry and Practical Theology at Seattle Pacific University. Her research focuses on Christian identity. She is an ordained minister in the PC(USA) and a mom of three boys in the Green Lake neighborhood. Katie has written about the faith lives of young adults in Creative in the Image of God (2020) and confirmation as a rite of passage in Cultivating Teen Faith (2018).




FAQ'S
The Thriving Conference is on Saturday, February 3rd from 9am - 3pm (with check-in starting at 8:15am). There will be time and space for an “afterparty” for more conversation and connection until 4pm.
  • 8:15am: Check-In Opens
  • 9:00am: Opening & Keynote Session Begins
  • 10:15am: Breakout Session #1
  • 11:15am: Breakout Session #2
  • 12:00pm: Lunch (Chick-Fil-A lunch provided (including gluten free options))
  • 1:15pm: Breakout Session #3
  • 2:15pm: Closing Session & Next Steps
  • 3:00pm: After Party Begins
The event will be held at
Bethany Community Church Green Lake
8023 Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103
Where can I park?
There is a parking lot to the west of the Sanctuary building at Bethany Community Church and open parking at Bagley Elementary (across 80th Ave.) Beyond this, street parking is also available.
How do I register?
Register Here
Is there a fee?
Yes, the cost is $30 per participant which covers hospitality, lunch, snacks, materials, and the honorariums for the presenters. Thanks to grants from the Faith Formation Project and Thrivent Financial, as well hosting this at Bethany Community Church, we are able to keep the cost low for attendees.

*We want everyone who wants to come to be there! Partial or full scholarships available. Prior to registration, email Pastor Chris Lyons for more information on a scholarship or to contribute to the scholarship fund.
Breakouts are selected during registration. We are hoping to honor everyone’s top choices, but recognize that some rooms and breakouts might fill up quickly. You will get an email confirmation of your breakout session a week prior to the event.
Unfortunately, there will not be childcare for this event.
Yes, there will be a “grab and go” lunch option from Chick-fil-A (gluten free options will also be available). Let us know of dietary needs on your registration. A variety of snacks and beverages will be provided as well.
We're here to help. For questions beyond this FAQ, please email Pastor Chris Lyons.

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