Equipping Labs
Equipping labs are your chance to dive deeper into specific topics in an interactive way, so you can gain practical wisdom and tools for living all of life in light of the gospel when you return home.
2022 Equipping Labs and Schedule
1:00 PM
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than Doing Ministry: The Secret to Fruitfulness
Kempton Turner
Room 2102B
Are you weary of doing, working, planning, teaching and investing but failing to see the kind of Kingdom results you want to see? Come for the encouragement that Christ-empowered, life-transforming, disciple-multiplying ministry is centered on resting, abiding and being with a person—Jesus Christ—not doing more.
More Than Information: Biblical Discernment for Complex Issues
Amy Richey
Room 2103C
We spend over 7 hours a day on screens. How do we discern the messages and information in front of us? Let’s talk about biblical discernment and practical tools to help us all navigate complex issues in our world. How do we wisely evaluate and respond to learning about current events and social topics of today?
More Than Stereotypes: Gender and the Image of God
Zach Albanese
Room 2103B
Join us for a biblical examination of God’s design for gender, the ways it has been misrepresented in both culture and religion and how to embrace your God-given gender and uniqueness for His glory and your good. Why did God create us with bodies–and sexed bodies in particular–and why does it matter how we live out our gender?
More Than Talking to the Ceiling: Prayer as Communion With God
Daniel Olson, Karl Hanson
Room 2105
An interactive workshop where you’ll get to learn about and practice different ways of connecting with God through prayer and how doing so can shape your life in dramatic ways.
More Than Tired and Stressed: The Pattern and Pace of a Life with Jesus
Mark O’Brien
Room 2101
Does life feel hectic and exhausting? We all want to have a full and productive life, but sometimes it can feel like too much. Together, let’s work to prioritize, plan and protect our time. We’ll discover God’s perspective on living a meaningful life.
More Than Your Bio: Growing in Your True Identity and Purpose
Heather and Shane Stacey
Room 2103A
You know what Jesus has saved you FROM but do you know what He has saved you FOR? Come and learn how to grow your identity from a foundation in the gospel that solidifies both your God-given design and the life experiences that fuel your purpose.
2:30 PM
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than Doing Ministry: The Secret to Fruitfulness
Kempton Turner
Room 2102B
Are you weary of doing, working, planning, teaching and investing but failing to see the kind of Kingdom results you want to see? Come for the encouragement that Christ-empowered, life-transforming, disciple-multiplying ministry is centered on resting, abiding and being with a person—Jesus Christ—not doing more.
More Than Information: Biblical Discernment for Complex Issues
Amy Richey
Room 2103C
We spend over 7 hours a day on screens. How do we discern the messages and information in front of us? Let’s talk about biblical discernment and practical tools to help us all navigate complex issues in our world. How do we wisely evaluate and respond to learning about current events and social topics of today?
More Than Preaching in the Jungle: Finding Your Place in God’s Global Mission
Emily Sears
Room 2104
Have you ever wondered what being a missionary is like today, or how God might use you—with your particular interests and talents—in His global mission? Did you know He’s currently using athletes, artists, musicians, business people, social workers, Instagramers and more to make Himself known to people around the world? Come join one of our ReachGlobal missionaries as we explore the creative ways God is at work in our world and the unique place He has designed for you in it. You’ll get a firsthand look at the wide variety of opportunities out there and learn how you can be involved from wherever you are.
More Than Stereotypes: Gender and the Image of God
Zach Albanese
Room 2103B
Join us for a biblical examination of God’s design for gender, the ways it has been misrepresented in both culture and religion and how to embrace your God-given gender and uniqueness for His glory and your good. Why did God create us with bodies–and sexed bodies in particular–and why does it matter how we live out our gender?
More Than Talking to the Ceiling: Prayer as Communion With God
Daniel Olson, Karl Hanson
Room 2105
An interactive workshop where you’ll get to learn about and practice different ways of connecting with God through prayer and how doing so can shape your life in dramatic ways.
More Than Tired and Stressed: The Pattern and Pace of a Life with Jesus
Mark O’Brien
Room 2101
Does life feel hectic and exhausting? We all want to have a full and productive life, but sometimes it can feel like too much. Together, let’s work to prioritize, plan and protect our time. We’ll discover God’s perspective on living a meaningful life.
More Than Your Bio: Growing in Your True Identity and Purpose
Heather and Shane Stacey
Room 2103A
You know what Jesus has saved you FROM but do you know what He has saved you FOR? Come and learn how to grow your identity from a foundation in the gospel that solidifies both your God-given design and the life experiences that fuel your purpose.
1:00 PM
More Than Encouragement: How to Listen Well and Care for Friends Who are Hurting
Katrina Welch
Room 2105
Have you ever wanted to start a conversation with a friend who is going through hard times, but you didn’t know how to begin? This equipping lab is going to provide you with the simple tools to start healing conversations with your friends or even with people you’ve just met. Come learn how to ask powerful questions that move the conversation forward and how to listen well as people process.
More Than Enough: Jesus Is Good News for LGBTQ+ Students
Dr. Christopher Yuan
Room 2103C
How can Christians better share Jesus with our friends in the gay community? What have we gotten wrong? How can we improve? Without any compromise of truth or grace, Dr. Christopher Yuan combines his life experiences and Bible training to teach a fully gospel-centered approach.
More Than Hanging Out: Friends That Matter
Shane Stacey
Room 2101
Most people will spend more time this week trying to figure out what to wear than they will this entire month thinking about how to be a friend that really matters. Yet, your friendships will affect the quality and direction of your life. God has something bigger in mind for YOU and your friends. Let’s learn how to turn typical friendships into God-empowered friendships.
More Than Our Suffering, Tragedy, Pain or Loss
Erin Blume
Room 2103A
Every one of us dreads moments and seasons of suffering. Are you experiencing one right now? How has your faith been affected by it? When you are going through a time of suffering, tragedy, pain or loss, have you ever wondered, “Where is the hope of Jesus right now?” Let’s learn together how Jesus meets us in those times and shows us truths about Himself in suffering.
More Than Profiles and Followers: Social Media and the Kingdom of God
Kristen Hatton
Room 2103B
Is social media’s influence in our lives more predominant than God’s Word? The gospel offers a new perspective on how we think about and use social media. In this lab we’ll talk about how we can put media in its proper place and maximize its impact for good, rather than letting it control us.
More Than Theoretical: How Can a Good God Allow So Much Evil?
Cameron Fair
Room 2104
If God is both good and in control, why is there so much evil in the world? How could He allow child abuse, sex trafficking, racial injustice, war and calamity? While there aren’t easy answers, there are truths about God that you can cling to when life (or your unbelieving friend) throws this question at you.
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than Your Four Walls: Engaging Your Local School
Mark O’Brien
Room 2102B
Do you want to grow your heart for your community? Would you like to begin seeing your local school with Jesus’ eyes? Let’s work together to discover practical ways we can care for and invest into the students and staff of your school—to love them with Jesus’ love.
2:30 PM
More Than Desires: Identity in Christ
Dr. Christopher Yuan
Room 2103C
“Being gay” = “This is who I am.” But is this a correct and biblical understanding? Should any of our desires—whether unchosen, strong or even enduring—really be WHO we are? Dr. Christopher Yuan points to the Bible and the right way to understand identity.
More Than Encouragement: How to Listen Well and Care for Friends Who are Hurting
Katrina Welch
Room 2105
Have you ever wanted to start a conversation with a friend who is going through hard times, but you didn’t know how to begin? This equipping lab is going to provide you with the simple tools to start healing conversations with your friends or even with people you’ve just met. Come learn how to ask powerful questions that move the conversation forward and how to listen well as people process.
More Than Hanging Out: Friends That Matter
Shane Stacey
Room 2101
Most people will spend more time this week trying to figure out what to wear than they will this entire month thinking about how to be a friend that really matters. Yet, your friendships will affect the quality and direction of your life. God has something bigger in mind for YOU and your friends. Let’s learn how to turn typical friendships into God-empowered friendships.
More Than Our Suffering, Tragedy, Pain or Loss
Erin Blume
Room 2103A
Every one of us dreads moments and seasons of suffering. Are you experiencing one right now? How has your faith been affected by it? When you are going through a time of suffering, tragedy, pain or loss, have you ever wondered, “Where is the hope of Jesus right now?” Let’s learn together how Jesus meets us in those times and shows us truths about Himself in suffering.
More Than Profiles and Followers: Social Media and the Kingdom of God
Kristen Hatton
Room 2103B
Is social media’s influence in our lives more predominant than God’s Word? The gospel offers a new perspective on how we think about and use social media. In this lab we’ll talk about how we can put media in its proper place and maximize its impact for good, rather than letting it control us.
More Than Theoretical: How Can a Good God Allow So Much Evil?
Cameron Fair
Room 2104
If God is both good and in control, why is there so much evil in the world? How could He allow child abuse, sex trafficking, racial injustice, war and calamity? While there aren’t easy answers, there are truths about God that you can cling to when life (or your unbelieving friend) throws this question at you.
1:00 PM
More Than a Ticket to Heaven: How the Gospel Is Good News for All of Life
Jeff Vanderstelt
Room 2105
We know we’re saved by grace through faith, but did you know this gospel is also at the core of daily life for believers? Learn how the gospel speaks into all of life and why this is such good news.
More Than Defriended: How the Gospel Responds to Cancel Culture
Bryan Lair
Room 2104
Have you ever slipped up or made a mistake and your friends turned against you? Do you ever feel uncomfortable about raising a specific question because you’ll get an angry reaction rather than a helpful discussion? Let’s consider how the Christian faith provides a better way to ask questions, pursue justice and maintain relationships with those who may think differently than us.
More Than Enough: Jesus Is Good News for LGBTQ+ Students
Dr. Christopher Yuan
Room 2103C
How can Christians better share Jesus with our friends in the gay community? What have we gotten wrong? How can we improve? Without any compromise of truth or grace, Dr. Christopher Yuan combines his life experiences and Bible training to teach a fully gospel-centered approach.
More Than Getting Along: A Forum on Race, Unity, Justice and the Gospel
Harry Walls IV, John Gerhardt, Cameron Warfield, Cristina Nelson
Room 2103A
Race is a divisive topic in our culture–sometimes violently so. What is a God-honoring, people-loving, gospel-centered response to the injustices of the past and the continued problems of today? We have a diverse panel to tackle this topic and share their experiences and viewpoints. We would love to have you join us in conversations around how Christ can bring unity, forgiveness, transformation, compassion and justice.
More Than Performing: Freedom From People Pleasing
Kristen Hatton
Room 2103B
If you’re feeling weighed down by the need to fit in and to make the people around you happy, Jesus offers you good news. Learn how the gospel frees us from people pleasing and offers us a deeper kind of acceptance.
More Than Your Past Mistakes: Breaking the Power of Shame
Carlton Harris
Room 2101
It drives us to hide, so it isolates us. It damages our relationships, so it isolates us. It causes us emotional distress, so it isolates us. It can lead to substance misuse, self-harm and disordered eating and exercise, so it isolates us. What is “it”? Shame. What is shame? Where does it come from? How do we break its power and heal? This equipping lab is for all who desire to break the power of shame in their own lives and help others break its power.
2:30 PM
More Than a Ticket to Heaven: How the Gospel Is Good News for All of Life
Jeff Vanderstelt
Room 2105
We know we’re saved by grace through faith, but did you know this gospel is also at the core of daily life for believers? Learn how the gospel speaks into all of life and why this is such good news.
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than a Trip: Making the Most of Summer Missions Projects
David Boerema
Room 2102B
How can you make a mission trip more than just an amazing week but a catalyst for continued growth and a heartbeat for missions? Learn from Apex some practical ways to make a summer trip have long-reaching results in the lives of your students and those they serve.
More Than Defriended: How the Gospel Responds to Cancel Culture
Bryan Lair
Room 2104
Have you ever slipped up or made a mistake and your friends turned against you? Do you ever feel uncomfortable about raising a specific question because you’ll get an angry reaction rather than a helpful discussion? Let’s consider how the Christian faith provides a better way to ask questions, pursue justice and maintain relationships with those who may think differently than us.
More Than Desires: Identity in Christ
Dr. Christopher Yuan
Room 2103C
“Being gay” = “This is who I am.” But is this a correct and biblical understanding? Should any of our desires—whether unchosen, strong or even enduring—really be WHO we are? Dr. Christopher Yuan points to the Bible and the right way to understand identity.
More Than Performing: Freedom From People Pleasing
Kristen Hatton
Room 2103B
If you’re feeling weighed down by the need to fit in and to make the people around you happy, Jesus offers you good news. Learn how the gospel frees us from people pleasing and offers us a deeper kind of acceptance.
More Than Your Past Mistakes: Breaking the Power of Shame
Carlton Harris
Room 2101
It drives us to hide, so it isolates us. It damages our relationships, so it isolates us. It causes us emotional distress, so it isolates us. It can lead to substance misuse, self-harm and disordered eating and exercise, so it isolates us. What is “it”? Shame. What is shame? Where does it come from? How do we break its power and heal? This equipping lab is for all who desire to break the power of shame in their own lives and help others break its power.
More Than an Accessory: Your Value in Christ
Luther Eatman, Lige Reed
Room 2103A
It feels great to be recognized for our good grades, athletic performance, singing ability, or even just being a nice person. But do you ever wonder if there is value in the “you” that is underneath the things you do? If all you do was stripped away, what would be left? Come and learn how in Christ you are always more than an accessory.
1:00 PM
More Than a Checklist: Spirit-Filled Disciplines for Growing Closer to Jesus
Mandy Love
Room 2105
If you feel stuck in your relationship with God or want some practical ideas for going deeper, come learn some practices Christians have used throughout the centuries to grow their faith and know Christ on a new level.
More Than a Very Old Book: How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth
Stephen Love
Room 2103B
Ever feel confused and overwhelmed when flipping through your Bible? Learn the basics of how it’s organized, the different genres found in it and tools for getting to know God better through His Word.
More Than Charity: A Biblical Framework for Transformational Justice
John Gerhardt, Charles Wilson
Room 2103A
In a world struggling to even get along, let alone have constructive conversations on the weightier issues of poverty, race and immigration, how should the church respond? Together, we will look at the topic of justice in Scripture—what God’s justice is like, how Christ bridged the gap between life and death, between us and God, and how God calls us to mind the gap that injustice creates as well. We’ll talk about what it looks like to live in the messy, hard but beautiful intersection of loving God and people and seeing His Kingdom come here.
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than Demographics: How to Embrace a Changing Community with Grace and Wisdom
Carson Greenhaw, Cameron Warfield
Room 2102B
Your youth group is or isn’t changing with the demographics of your community…now what? What does a youth ministry look like that strives to disciple multiple cultures and ethnicities who have different values and expectations for the local church? We have no idea! However, if you want enter the conversation and reality of the multi-ethnic ministry journey with two leaders who have a passion for it and have years of experience navigating through it, then this is the place for you. Whether your context is complete monoethnic or has more than 160 different languages spoken in your local school, we can all learn how to love making disciples of all nations.
More Than Evangelism: Living Life on Mission
Travis Holtan
Room 2101
We often think of evangelism as handing someone a booklet or preaching at them. And that’s pretty intimidating! But what if there’s a different way? Come learn how you can live your regular life to bring the good news of Jesus to your sphere of influence.
More Than Music: Leading People in Worship
Harry Walls IV
Great Hall 3501
Worship is so much more than a song; it’s about showing worth to our God and King. Come and join the discussion on expanding our thoughts about worship and what it means to our students when we show them more. This is an interactive time, so come ready to engage in worship with others.
More Than Republican or Democrat: How the Gospel Can Transform Politics
Bryan Lair
Room 2103C
We live in a world that seems to have only two options. Friends and family have a religious devotion to their political views that often causes tension. Have you ever asked: “Is this really it?” or “Does the Christian faith have anything to say about politics?” If you ever desired another option, then let’s consider distinctively Christian ways to engage in politics.
More Than Worry: Good News for Those Wrestling With Anxiety
Lucas Jackson
Room 2104
Anxiety has crippled and hindered many students from pursuing the things God desires for them. God offers amazing promises and truths that are grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ to help us. These promises and truths provide hope and healing to those dealing with anxiety. We will explore practical tools to help you wage war against the anxiety in your life.
2:30 PM
More Than a Checklist: Spirit-Filled Disciplines for Growing Closer to Jesus
Mandy Love
Room 2105
If you feel stuck in your relationship with God or want some practical ideas for going deeper, come learn some practices Christians have used throughout the centuries to grow their faith and know Christ on a new level.
More Than a Game: Leaving a Legacy On and Off the Field and Court
Wes Tarbox
Room 2101
Explore how Jesus might have competed as a modern-day athlete and determine how to use the platform of sports to make a lasting impact on your team and your school as you compete as a Christ-follower. We will examine the challenges you face as a Christian in the culture of sports. You will be encouraged to be the best athlete you can be and do it all for His glory!
More Than a Very Old Book: How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth
Stephen Love
Room 2103B
Ever feel confused and overwhelmed when flipping through your Bible? Learn the basics of how it’s organized, the different genres found in it and tools for getting to know God better through His Word.
More Than Charity: A Biblical Framework for Transformational Justice
John Gerhardt, Charles Wilson
Room 2103A
In a world struggling to even get along, let alone have constructive conversations on the weightier issues of poverty, race and immigration, how should the church respond? Together, we will look at the topic of justice in Scripture—what God’s justice is like, how Christ bridged the gap between life and death, between us and God, and how God calls us to mind the gap that injustice creates as well. We’ll talk about what it looks like to live in the messy, hard but beautiful intersection of loving God and people and seeing His Kingdom come here.
YOUTH WORKER LAB: More Than Great Ideas: A Time of Connecting and Mutual Resourcing for Youth Workers
Justin Wevers
Room 2102B
Want a chance to connect with others in youth ministry from around the country? Need some fresh inspiration for group games, engaging students in prayer or partnering with parents? Justin Wevers will facilitate small group conversations where you can share and hear best practices for key areas of ministry to send you home encouraged and equipped for another year of ministry.
More Than Music: Leading People in Worship
Harry Walls IV
Great Hall 3501
Worship is so much more than a song; it’s about showing worth to our God and King. Come and join the discussion on expanding our thoughts about worship and what it means to our students when we show them more. This is an interactive time, so come ready to engage in worship with others.
More Than Republican or Democrat: How the Gospel Can Transform Politics
Bryan Lair
Room 2103C
We live in a world that seems to have only two options. Friends and family have a religious devotion to their political views that often causes tension. Have you ever asked: “Is this really it?” or “Does the Christian faith have anything to say about politics?” If you ever desired another option, then let’s consider distinctively Christian ways to engage in politics.
More Than Worry: Good News for Those Wrestling With Anxiety
Lucas Jackson
Room 2104
Anxiety has crippled and hindered many students from pursuing the things God desires for them. God offers amazing promises and truths that are grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ to help us. These promises and truths provide hope and healing to those dealing with anxiety. We will explore practical tools to help you wage war against the anxiety in your life.
