Who we are:

• A group of 9 high school students (grades 11 and 12) and 5 adults from the West Virginia Baptist Convention

What we do:

• Envision, plan, organize, manage, and put on 4 statewide youth conventions for each school year

Why we do it:

• Explicitly, our hope is to glorify God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–by using our talents and skills to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our peers around West Virginia. YMPT also exists to train promising West Virginia Baptist Convention youth in leadership, planning, teamwork, and Biblical discipleship. YMPT offers practical, hands-on leadership experience to grow and empower the Ministers, Deacons, and Church leaders of tomorrow, while equipping youth to make a lasting impact on West Virginia today.

Andrew describes himself as a man of passion who loves God, people and laughing. He is a senior at Parkersburg Catholic High School. If you hear someone talking and you think to yourself, "Who could possibly be that loud when they are just casually talking?", it's Andrew. Andrew can be found at school, at the Marietta YMCA where he works as a lifeguard, at his church, Vienna Baptist, with his friends and family, and occasionally at home. Others say of Andrew that he always seems to be happy and won't shut up about Jesus. This will be Andrew's second year with the Youth Ministry Planning Team and he looks forward to it with great joy

Abigail is a seventeen year old homeschooled senior. Abigail has a twin brother and she lives with her family in Huntington, WV. She is very involved with her church, enjoys working with the younger children, the Food Pantry, and being involved with community outreach. She loves singing, writing and Doctor Who. Abigail is excited to be a part of YMPT again this year.

Glenn is a 17 year old senior from Huntington. He attends New Baptist Church and is very active in youth group and working in the nursery. He loves soccer, enjoys reading, and in his spare time he works as a firefighter for the Barboursville Fire Department. This last March he returned from his 5th trip to Haiti where he enjoys connecting and making relationships with not only the Haitians, but the mission teams. Glenn is extremely excited to participate in YMPT this year alongside his twin sister, Abigail.

Ingredients: 7 Cups Fallen Short and Sinner, 17 Cups Grace of Christ; 12oz. Coffee, 1 Tablespoon Puns, 1/2 Teaspoon Height, 2 Tablespoons Computers, 1 Cup Football, 1 Cup Birkenstocks, 3 Tablespoons Good Literature, 1 Cup Work Ethic, 1 Quart Calling to Missions.

Directions: Mix Ingredients together slowly, and don’t be afraid to risk adding new spices, as long as those spices are Biblical. Whisk until non-compartmentalized. Let sit 5 minutes and play it some folk-rock or obscure Christian rap music. Then, roast over fire of challenge and tribulation until old and grey, burning away the chaff and self-reliance. Cook until only the Grace of Christ remains.

Emily James is currently a junior at Winfield High School and she attends First Baptist Church in Hurricane. She is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at her school, a member of the Youth Leadership Team for her youth group, and she dances at January's Academy of Arts. She enjoys making videos with her family and spending time with her friends.

Beth says about herself: I am a junior at Spring Valley High School and attend New Baptist Church. I keep busy by being involved in the National Honors Society, playing the violin, playing the alto saxophone in marching band and jazz band, dancing, and drawing closer to the Lord through fellowship and study with my youth group. I look forward to growing in leadership and planning events to help bring other students closer to Christ.

Mitchell Hall is a junior at Spring Valley High School. He enjoys playing tennis and is a member of the Spring Valley Tennis Team. Mitchell loves sports and music, as well as being outside in the woods. He is a member of New Baptist Church and he was a member of the 2015 -2016 Youth Leadership Core.

Morgan attends First Baptist Church of Hurricane and is part of the outreach committee on their Sr. High Leadership team. She's a junior at Hurricane High School where she is a leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, involved with International Club, Hurricane Understands Giving Club, and she's a member of the swim and cross country teams. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends.

Josh Boehm is a junior at Hurricane High School and attends First Baptist Church of Hurricane. Josh is a member of the high school youth leadership planning team in his youth group. He loves running and is a member of the cross country and track teams at his school. He also enjoys going on long hikes and relaxing in his ENO hammock and enjoying a tall glass of ice cold, delicious Tang after a long day.