2026 AYME Conference
October 23-25, 2026 in Dallas, TX
Relational Evangelism and Discipleship
Registration
Hotel
Call for Papers
Conference Schedule
This year’s conference will focus on our teaching and training of youth leaders in relational evangelism and discipleship
Our Featured General Session Speakers…
Josh Packard, Ph.D., was the founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute and more recently the co-founder of Futures of Faith. He is one of the foremost experts in the spiritual lives of modern American youth and an accomplished researcher in the sociology of religion and new forms of religious expression. He has authored numerous books and articles in both popular and academic outlets. His most recent publication is Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Emerging Generations (Baker Academic, 2025). Learn more about Josh at www.joshpackard.com.
Virginia Ward, D.Min., has taught in Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s urban ministry program and serves as associate pastor at the Abundant Life Church in Cambridge, MA. More recently, Virginia and her husband, have established a consulting company called Wards of Wisdom Associates. This company provides support to urban ministries seeking transformative change. Dr. Ward’s expertise has been recognized through her contributions to Every Woman’s Bible (Tyndall House) and her co-authorship of the book 5 Views on the Future of Youth Ministry: Perspectives on What Could or Should Be (The Youth Cartel).
Lakisha Lockhart, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Her teaching takes seriously the benefits and necessity of play, movement, aesthetics, creative arts, and embodiment. For Lakisha, the body is a locus for doing theology and theological reflection. Ordained to ministry in the non-denominational tradition, she recognizes the importance of teaching Christian education for the strengthening of the church. Her focus on practical pedagogy is not only to develop more committed and knowledgeable educators and ministers, but also more committed and knowledgeable congregants.
Mike King, D.Min., serves as president of YouthFront in Kansas City, an organization creating environments for youth to experience spiritual transformation, and providing support to churches and youth workers. Mike also serves on the pastoral staff of Jacob’s Well Church in Kansas City and is a frequent speaker at conferences and conventions. He and his wife, Vicki, have two sons, a daughter and two daughters-in-law. Read Mike’s blog at www.king.typepad.com.
Alex Mathew, MS., spend a decade serving with Youth for Christ in Kansas City creating a collaborative movement through high-quality Christian mentoring to help high-risk young people acquire and develop a way of living taught by Jesus Christ. More recently he has been serving with YouthFront as director of YouthFront Pathways to positively impact youth and families living in the urban areas of Kansas City.
