6th Annual Virginia Interstate Youth Conference
MTE 2024
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In our current culture, many of our young people’s self-esteem and self-efficacy are under attack. Characters known as depression, loneliness, feeling unloved, feeling insignificant and even suicide, have aggressively made their way into the lives of middle schoolers and high schoolers. Like never before, we are witnessing so many effects of unhealthy mental health in youth. The good news is that God is not only aware of this attack, but he wants our young people to know that they MATTER. Jeremiah 1:4-7 shares with us that even as a child, Jeremiah MATTERED to God and was given significance from God. This same God wants to share with you and your youth that you MATTER to him, and have been given great significance from him. It is our prayer, that as a result of this weekend the youth in attendance will be able to say with Godfidence, “iMATTER!”
Therefore, it is with great joy and excitement that I invite you and the youth of your church to the 6th ANNUAL MTE2024 VIRGINIA INTERSTATE YOUTH CONFERENCE – THE MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE! This event will be held at EAGLE EYRIE Conference Center in Lynchburg, VA, April 5-7, 2024. This year’s theme is “iMATTER,” and is taken from Jeremiah 1:4-7. The weekend will include a HBCU COLLEGE RECRUITMENT FAIR, praise and worship, lodging for all participants, 5 full 3 course meals, breakout sessions, a 100 YOUTH conference mass choir, guest speakers, a conference praise dance workshop, gospel R&B and hip hop artists, talent show, three adult workshops on taking youth ministry to the next level, a 5 on 5 basketball tournament, a speakers bureau, an ALL-WHITE PARTY, SPECIAL GUESTS, and most of all JESUS CHRIST!
In this packet, you will find the event registration form, youth activities registration forms, directions to the Eagle Eyrie, a schedule for the weekend, a list of frequently asked questions and a list of what/what not to bring. THIS EVENT IS ONLY FOR YOUTH WHO ARE IN 6th -12th GRADES, NO EXCEPTIONS. ADULT CHAPERONES MUST BE AT LEAST 25 YEARS OF AGE, NO EXCEPTIONS. This is a 3 DAY event and will conclude with Sunday morning worship. PLEASE make plans for you and your youth to enjoy and benefit from the entire weekend conference experience. Youth will participate in the mass conference choir and mass conference praise dancers on Sunday morning. Our adult youth pastors class will also present on Sunday morning. As we strive to propel our youth to have the strong conviction that they MATTER, we look forward to worshiping with you at the MTE2024 VIRGINIA INTERSTATE YOUTH CONFERENCE!
Rev. Maurice Bowles III, Conference Founder & Coordinator
Mount Hope Baptist Church, Pastor of Family Engagement and Innovative Strategy
MTEyouth@gmail.com
(540) 786-4274 (Office) / (804) 605-6608 (Direct)
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FAQ
The conference is a three-day and two-night event. (Beginning on a Friday afternoon and concluding early Sunday afternoon).
Any youth in sixth through twelfth (6th – 12th) grades may attend the conference.
Yes! A church may bring as many adult leaders as they wish. However, we require that churches have a ratio of 1 male leader per 4 male youth and 1 female leader per 4 female youth.
The early registration cost is $200.00 per person; this cost includes lodging, five (5) meals, all activities, and retreat materials for the weekend. There is a late registration cost of $215.00 per person after the early registration deadline.
Check-in begins at 2:00 pm on Friday (and will continue until all churches have arrived). There is a mandatory adult youth leaders orientation at 6:30 pm in the Voight Conference Center. Each registered church should only send one (1) Female and (1) Male youth leader to the orientation session.
The retreat site provides lodging for 900 persons. All cottages have electricity, full bathrooms, bunk beds, couches, chairs, linen, and soap. Some cottages also have full kitchens with a refrigerator. Each church will be assigned single-sex lodging accommodations for the weekend. The size of each church group will determine their lodging assignment. Some churches may be assigned a cottage with another church. There is no co-ed visitation permitted during the weekend.
Dress casual (no revealing clothing) for the weekend. Bring comfortable clothing and shoes due to hilly terrain of the retreat site. The weather is usually warmer during the day and cooler at night. SEE THE WEEKEND ATTIRE SHEET IN THIS REGISTRATION PACKET.
All persons (youth and adults) in order to attend the conference must completely fill out the medical waiver. The medical waiver should be turned in along with the conference registration.
Adult leaders should be aware of any medical condition that may affect their students. Youth should carry and administer their medication at all times. In case of emergency, there is a medical professional on duty. Please make a copy of all registration forms to keep an official record of your entire group’s information.
See You There!