STOUFFVILLE ON – Monday, March 30, 2015 – Girls aged 11 to 14 will be inspired and encouraged to embrace their purpose and identity in Christ at the Breakthrough Conference at Springvale Church in Stouffville, Ontario on Saturday May 2, 2015.
Breakthrough Conference features inspirational talks, breakout sessions, and activities that will equip girls to break through the expectations of today’s culture and live lives full of purpose, rooted in their identity in Christ. Topics include: Inspiring Change, Keeping it Real, The Beauty Project, Through God’s Eyes, and You, God & Your Sport.
“Today, girls are inundated by pressure from friends, media and the culture at large to look and act a certain way,” says Marianne Deeks, Youth Worker with Youth Unlimited, a faith-based charity that believes in the unlimited potential of youth. “For most girls the standard of achievement is very low and the need for approval is very high. Instagram and Facebook are determining the self worth of many girls and the fallout of not enough “likes” can be detrimental to their development,” she says.
According to the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, “…tweens are increasingly vulnerable to exploitive and manipulative marketing strategies as they are exposed to increasingly mature media content, while lacking (but learning) critical thinking, discernment skills.”
“We often underestimate the importance of these delicate Junior High years. These young girls are capable of changing the world, not in 5 years, not when they have a steady career, but now,” says Alex Street, Student Ministries Director at Springvale Church. “Young teenage girls are hearing all kinds of voices telling them they will never meet the standard set for them, but we have a chance to say something different. We have an opportunity to tell these girls they are significant and there is something unique for them to offer this world today. That is an opportunity I don’t want to miss.”
As members of the Christian community, Youth Unlimited exists to help young people in the Greater Toronto Area attain their full life potential, showing love and care for their whole person, and encouraging them to serve God as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Springvale Church has been considered a leader in Children’s & Youth ministry for over 25 years.
The Breakthrough Conference runs from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration at 8:30) and includes live worship through music and art, a morning session for parents & leaders and a diverse selection of talks and break-out sessions. Speakers include: Marianne Deeks, Karra Overholt, Alex Street, Paul Bartley, Monica Kay, Joni Champion, Hilary Price, Laura Bronson, and Anne Fleetwood. Snacks and lunch are also provided. Tickets are $25 each ($35 after April 1st) or $20 each for groups of ten or more.
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For more information, including a schedule and list of speakers, contact:
Marianne Deeks, Youth Unlimited, mdeeks@rogers.com / Ph: 416-903-0931
Or visit: http://www.breakthroughjh.ca
reference: Center for Parent/Youth Understanding