Develop leaders in your own youth group while strengthening friendships with other churches in Ontario. Come away for a time of worship and Bible teaching in chapel sessions, practical training in leadership skills and the fun of building community with other followers of Christ.

Meet the Chapel Speaker
Sarah Braun

Sarah Braun, HBSc, BEd, OCT

For the last 17 years, Sarah has served as a lay-leader building and growing Jr Youth, Day Camp and Sunday morning kids programs at New Hope Church Niagara .  She has lead teams through a wide variety of situations while using rented facilities, planting programs in a multi-site, and working with a volunteer-led all-volunteer team. She has led as a lay person with a full-time job overseeing paid support staff while managing recruiting for growing programs and walking the tension between the need for more leaders and the need to make sure those leaders are properly equipped. She has written custom curriculum, recorded it over COVID as it grew from less than 100 people on a Sunday (when she became part of the church) to a weekly Jr Youth attendance of 175 and Sr Youth attendance of over 100. In other words, Sarah understands the complexity and challenges of discipling youth today!

Sarah holds a degree in Physics and Mathematics, as well as a degree in Education.  She taught in Ridley College’s Upper School in St. Catharines from 2008-2022, when she left in order to join the full-time staff team at New Hope Church as their Family Pastor. In 2021 she began her Master in Theological Studies with a concentration in Old Testament Biblical Studies at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.  She has an amazing husband of 17 years and two awesome sons.  She is a total nerd of all things science, pop culture (see every New Hope Day Camp theme over the years) and the Old Testament!

Included in the Retreat Fees

Programs & Activities

Cost: $135 per person and covers accommodation, all food and program options.

Who is it for?:

  • Youth pastors bring their student leaders 16 years and older as well as their adult volunteers in youth programs

What happens:

  • 4 dynamic chapel sessions with times of worship, relevant bible teaching and practical applications. Topics may include:
    • Making sure your youth feel known as your numbers grow.
    • Managing the tension between needing more volunteers and making sure those volunteers are qualified and equipped.
    • Helping leaders maintain vision and passion for the long-haul and avoid burn out.
  • Breakout sessions for Ministry Leaders (i.e. leaders who lead leaders) and for Youth leaders (i.e. leaders who lead youth) where you can share ideas with other leaders from across Ontario.
  • Camp staff provide recreational options and a team building experience designed to help you grow (and have fun).
  • The schedule also includes discussion times where you can connect with your own leadership team as well as plenty of free time where you can build relationship together.
  • The body of Christ is strengthened as we work together to build up the next generation of leaders.