Title – Escaping the Fun House: Finding Your True Identity in a World of Distorted Mirrors

Workshop Description: We find our identity in so many things. Unfortunately, after high school we leave those spaces that help speak into our identity as children of God. So how do you go against the grain in a world that is telling you who you should be? This workshop is all about practical practices to help us understand how we can enter into our college age years firm in who and whose we are. We will talk about how to root ourselves in Christ and how to continue to stay rooted as image bearers for our whole lives.

Bio: Dominic Chasse is a native of Richmond Virginia and works with College Ministries of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. For the last five years he has been pouring into college students with his wife Gabrielle and daughter. Dominic enjoys many things but above all he enjoys sitting down with a nice cup of coffee and watching the Lord of the Rings….all of them….in a row. He’s excited to be with CCYC this year speaking to high school juniors and seniors about what it means to find their identity in Christ.

Title – CICM: Come and See the Movement of Jesus!

Workshop Description: Across Southern Asia, a powerful movement of Jesus is transforming lives, communities, and nations. The American church has played a vital role in fueling this mission—through prayer, giving, and going.

Bio: Abhijeet & Sunaina Lall were married on January 1st, 2024! Since then, they’ve witnessed many miracles of God in their lives. Today, they serve Central India Christian Mission (CICM) stateside and are grateful for the privilege of sharing what God is continuing to do through this ministry.

They desire to walk in the footsteps of their great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, continuing the rich legacy of faith passed down through generations. Their passion is for the 4 billion people living in Southern Asia to hear the life-changing message of Jesus and to see many become disciples and fully committed followers of Christ!

Title – Mirror Image: Discovering Your Identity as Men and Women of God

Workshop Description: When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Discover how faith shapes your identity, how to see yourself through God’s truth, and how to live confidently as the man or woman He created you to be.

Bio: Aaron and Beth have been married for 20 years and are passionate about helping the next generation discover their strength in Christ. Aaron is lead pastor at Christ’s Fellowship, a church they helped to plant in Portsmouth, VA in 2008. Beth has spent most of her career fighting injustice in the fields of domestic violence, human trafficking and environmental stewardship. Their greatest accomplishment is raising three boys which means life is loud, fast and fun every day!

Title – Built Different: Discovering an Identity Stronger Than Sports, School, or Social Media

Workshop Description: In a world that tells you to define yourself by your performance, your popularity, or your online persona, this workshop will show you a better way. We’ll explore why identity built on sports, school, or social media always cracks—and why who you are in Christ is the only foundation strong enough to hold the weight of your life. Come discover what it really means to be built different.

Bio: Gray Gardner is a pastor and leader who is passionate about making disciples and reaching the next generation. He is currently in the process of launching a new church called Hill City Church in Rock Hill, SC. A former Clemson football player, Gray brings a unique blend of grit, vision, and gospel-centered clarity to his preaching and teaching.

Title – Students Leading the Way: Embracing a High Calling in a World That Aims Low

Workshop Description: The world wants you to pipe down and blend in—follow the trends, fish for likes, and keep your faith quiet. But God calls you to something higher: to stand up, speak out, and lead in a way that truly matters. In this workshop, we’ll talk about what that looks like for you—and how you can start leading for Jesus right where you are.

Bio: Chris Woolard is the pastor of Venture Church in Wilmington, NC. He has spent over 20 years working with teens in NC and VA through youth ministry, summer camps, Boy Scouts, youth football, and even as a long-time team member and former director of CCYC. He serves now as the director of the CCYC Young Leaders program.

Title – Created to Create: Reflecting Christ Through Your Passions

Workshop Description: What if your gifts weren’t random—but they were God given with purpose in mind? In this fun and interactive workshop, Christian Hip-Hop artist and content creator Justin Mitchell shares how your creativity, passions, and unique set of quirks can reflect the Creator and reach people far from God—from music studios, Twitch streams, and even Comic-Cons.

Bio: Justin’s journey of faith began in his teenage years when God met him in the midst of brokenness, sparking a hunger for truth and a passion to reach others who felt unseen. Through the highs and lows of life, he discovered the power of God’s grace and the call to use his gifts in music, mentorship, and ministry to point people back to Jesus. Now, as a student ministry pastor, hip-hop artist, & creative missionary, Justin lives to equip the next generation to boldly live out their faith in both real-life spaces and digital streets.

Title – Walk this Way

Workshop Description: We all follow someone. But what if the way you walk could show the world who Jesus really is? Join this interactive session as we unpack what it means to be imitators of God and take a challenging look at Ephesians 5:1-2. You will learn how to reflect Jesus in your attitude, actions, and relationships.

Bio: E.L. Jones is one of the preaching ministers at Compass Christian Church in Mechanicsville, VA which has grown from 200 to over 2,000 since it began in 2019. He spent 10 years in youth ministry before moving into preaching ministry, which he has been in for 14 years now. He lives in Mechanicsville with his wife, Christie, and his two kids, Aaron and Hailey. When he’s not preaching at Compass, E.L. speaks at youth camps and revivals. He has a passion for pointing people to Jesus and sharing God’s truth with a lot of laughter! Oh yeah!

The workshop team has put together summaries and discussion questions for each workshop to help with your youth group time afterward. These materials are designed to give you everything you need to guide a discussion, even if you couldn’t attend the workshop yourself.

Small Group Guide