Southern Nazarene University, part of the Oklahoma District for Nazarene churches, hosts a conference called the Ministry Forum every year. This conference serves as a meeting place for pastors to come together, reflect on the goodness of God, and share ideas for preaching and spreading the Word.
This two-day conference includes worship, whole-group sermons, and breakout sessions that dive deeper into specific spiritual topics.
Ministry major Morgan Callender attended the forum this year and loved the sense of community it brought. “My dad is a pastor, so I was able to see him and other people who are mentors to me, who are youth pastors from other places, which was really fun.”
Community and belonging stood out as key highlights of the forum. One breakout session focused on youth ministry and how creating a fun environment helps kids learn and engage with the gospel.
Callender shared that the worship service was a beautiful touch to the evening, filled with joy and hope that filled every one of the pastors and ministry majors alike. “I just loved and was calm during the worship because everyone is in ministry, and they all loved to worship; it was really fun.”
The forum emphasized how providing a welcoming and fun environment is essential to building a strong ministerial program for both youth and adults. Breakout sessions offered practical tips on creating safe, fun environments that get kids excited about learning about God and what He has to offer.
Although the gathering happens only once a year, it is cherished by pastors of all ages and roles—from kids’ ministry leaders to youth pastors to head pastors. No matter their role, they all worship one God and share His Word with the community, all in one place.
Photo by: SNU Creative