Contact:
Tara Powers, Brian Burch (616) 233-0500, tpowers@lambert-edwards.com, bburch@lambert-edwards.com
Inaugural Event Brings Churches and Retailers Together to Celebrate Youth Workers September 6, 2008
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, August 12, 2008 – Christian youth workers rarely get the recognition they deserve. That is about to change on September 6, 2008 as more than 100 independently owned Christian stores come together for the first-ever Youth Worker Appreciation Day. Organized by Youth Specialties, the youth ministry division of Zondervan, the day is intended to recognize and celebrate the efforts of the hundreds of thousands of youth workers worldwide.
Youth Specialties Certified Dealers, such as family-owned Mardel Christian & Education Stores and others, will partner with local churches to host events and promotions designed to help youth workers lead their faith communities. Events during this inaugural campaign include special sidewalk sales, music performances, mini-seminars on youth ministry and author meet & greet parties, as well as free Youth Specialties swag and in-store discounts.
“Youth workers pour themselves into the lives of the kids they work with year-round, offering them guidance, support and a listening ear as they learn to walk and grow with Christ,” said Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties. “Youth Worker Appreciation Day is all about recognizing their selfless efforts and their genuine hearts for impacting the lives of kids.”
Youth Specialties expects more than 100 independent Christian stores to participate in Youth Worker Appreciation Day. The organization will provide a resource kit that includes suggestions, templates, logos and promotional materials to participating retailers.
YS has created www.ywad.org for participating stores to get fresh and fun ideas. In addition, retailers can also learn how to become a Youth Specialties Certified Dealer, and pastors, church leaders and parents can find information and ideas on how they can show appreciation for their youth workers—including ideas for a special recognition event the next morning during their Sunday AM service.
About Youth Specialties
For nearly 40 years, Youth Specialties has worked alongside Christian youth workers of nearly every denomination and youth-serving organization. Each year, Youth Specialties serves more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide through training seminars and conventions, resources and the Internet. Youth Specialties produces the YS National Youth Workers Convention for more than 15,000 youth workers each fall; and in the spring hosts the a one-day training event for 20,000 youth workers. For more information, visit www.youthspecialties.com.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
