As I have been driving around, meeting with youth ministry leaders from all styles, sizes and brands of churches, I have been encouraged and inspired. There are a ton of youth ministry leaders around our state – volunteer and paid – who are all about seeing young lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
I want to thank Christine Fuesz, Suzanne Price and Kim Przybylski for thier work in administrative aspects of the events. I also want to thank the host churches and hospitality teams for hosting The Well this fall. A special thanks to the local youth pastors who helped in the leadership of each event. I also want to thank Hertz Rental Car for the free day rentals used toward connecting with and equipping youth ministry leaders! You guys are great.
While driving, I have had time to think about the history of The Well and where we have been over the years. We just completed the eighth season and here are some facts:
Past Locations For The Well
- Troy, IL (Troy UMC)
- Carbondale, IL (Wesley Foundation)
- Bloomington, IL (Wesley UMC)
- Marion, IL (Aldersgate UMC)
- Jacksonville, IL (First Baptist Church)
- Peoria, IL (Redeemer Lutheran Church)
- E. Moline, IL (First Baptist Church)
- Mt. Vernon, IL (Central Christian Church)
- O’Fallon, IL (First UMC)
- Belleville, IL (St. Matthew)
- Bethalto, IL (First UMC)
- Neoga, IL (UMC)
- Mattoon, IL (First Baptist Church)
- Savoy, IL (Savoy UMC)
- Vincennes, IN (First Baptist Church)
- Mt. Carmel, IL (UMC)
- Clinton, IL (First UMC)
- Chatham, IL (Sugarcreek)
- Springfield, IL (First UMC)
- Springfield, IL (Elliot Avenue Baptist Church)
- Decatur, IL (First Baptist Church)
- Springfield, IL (Cherry Hills Baptist Church)
- Dwight, IL (First UMC)
- Alton, IL (Main Street)
- St. Louis, MO (Webster Groves Church)
- Salem, IL (Grace UMC)
- Lawrenceville, IL (First UMC)
- Galesburg, IL – First UMC
- Normal, IL (ISU Wesley Foundation)
- Effingham, IL (Centenary)
- Nashville, IL (Grace UMC)
- Godfrey, IL (First UMC)
- Pittsburg, IL (Free Will Baptist)
Past Speakers For The Well
- Hal Hamilton
- Ricky Spindler
- Mark Ambrose
- Greg Groves
- Sarah Wanck
- Chuck Hilman
- Lee Willis, Jr.
- Pat McKenna
- Duke Hampsch
- Luan Warren
- Dave Plemons
- Amber Moore
- Steven Wiseman
- Mike Solomon
- Brad Curtis
Key leadership who have helped make The Well happen:
- Suzanne Price
- Christine Fuesz
- Angie Blumenstock (help get it off the ground when it first began)
- Hal Hamilton
- Katie Murbarger
- Kim Przybylski
- Staff and Leades at the host churches
- Staff and vollunteers at Troy UMC (where I serve on part-time staff)
Denominations Represented At The Well Over The Years
- United Methodist
- Nazarene
- Free Methodist
- American Baptist
- Missionary Baptist
- Free Will Baptist
- Southern Baptist
- Assembly of God
- Reformed church
- Evangelical Free Church
- Catholic
- United Church of Christ
- Congregational Church
- Presbyterian (PCUSA)
- Cumberland Presbyterian
- Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
- Evangelical Lutheran
- Church of the Brethern
- General Baptist
If you would be interested in the requirements for hosting The Well, email harvest@harvestconferences.org. If you woud like to host a training specific to your youth ministry leadership team, email tim@harvestministryteams.com.
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