Student Conference 2009 A Life's Work: Other information

Contact with church leaders

One of the great benefits of this conference is the high leader-to-delegate ratio. This gives the delegates the opportunity to speak to the leaders in a variety of settings; both formal and informal. Firstly, each delegate is put in a small group (generally single-sex) which is a time for prayer, discussion and questions; mainly (but not exclusively) from the content of the talks. Most delegates will also have the chance to meet with one of their leaders one-to-one, which can be a useful time of application and encouragement. The leaders can not give detailed advice as in most cases they will have only known the delegates for a few hours but is can be a vital time to work out which issues need to be thought through, and which questions need to be asked. Finally, there is plenty of time for informal chats and discussions to take place; whether it be over a meal time or at an afternoon tea room or walk.

Church leaders, many of them student workers, from all over the country give up their time to lead on this conference showing their commitment to raising up new leaders for the harvest field and for spurring on the next generation to live for Jesus.

Books and audio

For the conference we are delighted to have 10ofthose.com join us to provide massively discounted books, just for those who attend. We also offer a large discount on a range of audio from previous 9:38 conferences (including an exclusive compilation CD of all the best talks from over the years). It is well worth bring some extra money to stock up for the next year's reading.

Musical instruments

In each of our main meetings we like to sing, and rely entirely on delegates bringing instruments to accompany us. If you come, and play an instrument, please do bring it with you (there will be a piano there!).

Conference centre

The conference is held at Cliff College in the village of Calver. This is located between Chesterfield and Sheffield and close to Chatsworth House (directions). All food and accommodation is included in the cost of the conference. There is some free time on the Saturday afternoon, which gives a chance to take in the beautiful setting of the Derbyshire dales, hike up a ‘cliff', visit Chatsworth tea rooms or play football or Frisbee.

Who should come?

This conference is ideal for undergraduate students in their final or penultimate year who are considering, however vaguely, going into some sort of part-time or full-time gospel ministry in the future. It is equally useful for those who have always considered this as an option for their lives, and for those who have only just tentatively started thinking along these lines. The conference is not designed to put any pressure on anyone into signing their lives away, but rather to present the facts, give delegates an opportunity to discuss their futures with experienced gospel ministers, and apply biblical teaching to their lives. The conference is also a great encouragement and a time of spurring on in the Christian life. Students often return to their churches much better informed and able to make decisions for their future. Postgraduate students are encouraged to attend the Annual Conference.

To back up our commitment to work in partnership with local churches, each delegate must have a recommendation from a church leader if at all possible. It would be well worth talking through your thoughts about full-time gospel ministry with your church leader before coming on the conference, and afterwards as you consult and pray with them to see if this is the right thing for you.

Note to church leaders/student workers

If you are a church leader and you are intending on sending a number of students from your church on the conference, you would be most welcome to come on the conference yourself, either as an ‘official' leader (one that looks after those from other churches as well as your own, and if we have enough notice), or as a leader of those from your church. It can be a great chance to be away for the weekend, receive the teaching from the conference and to benefit from discussion about full-time gospel ministry. Many leaders find that they can have discussions on a 9:38 conference with those from their churches that they would not normally find time to have back ‘at home'. Please be in contact with the 9:38 administrator, Matt Morgan, with as much notice as possible to chat through possibilities. Even if you can not attend the conference yourself, please do consider sending us any students in your congregation for whom this conference might be a great help. And be assured that they will be looked after by a great team of Bible believing and teaching leaders from across the country, and will probably be sent back to you with more questions than answers!