Can I Get a Witness?
For the past 14 years, I have been blessed to work in the Christian Outreach Office at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Prior to that, I was a youth minister that brought teens to youth conferences for 14 years. I have had the pleasure of speaking at dozens of youth and adult Steubenville Conferences. In all, I have been a part of nearly 120 Steubenville Conferences. What has been the best part? Being a witness. Each year, I witness God touch the lives of thousands of youth, young adults and adults. I have been blessed beyond what I deserve through it all.
Some Plant, Some Water, But God gives the Growth
We have been offering conferences for over 40 years and every year there are new and different speakers, new songs, different themes, and different presentations. Yet, the fruit is the same. Why? Because everything we do leads to one thing – a personal encounter with the love of Jesus. Whether it is in worship, in the confessional, during the liturgy, or in Eucharistic Adoration, all of our participants encounter the Risen Lord. He is the one that awakens faith! He always comes and causes the seeds planted by our speakers to bloom.
What Participants Say:
This past summer, when asked for a description of their conference experience the most frequently answered “life-changing.” Over 60% already plan on attending again! In our surveys, we had over 1,000 complimentary comments. These are only a handful:
“I have attended Steubenville youth conferences multiple times as chaperone. However, the Power and Purpose Conference was the most spirit-filled event I have attended – and the most rewarding of all Steubenville events – to date. What an extraordinary experience! Still digesting all of it! The organization of event and staff assistance was smooth as silk – great job!”
Todd – Power and Purpose Participant
“I came on Monday feeling very empty and stagnant in my spiritual life. I left on Friday feeling full to overflowing with the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Troy – Priest Deacon and Seminarian Retreat Participant
“The Bosco conference gave me a renewed zeal for my ministry as a DRE, it was like a breath of fresh air that I needed to help me an instrument to bring Christ to others.”
Dominique – St. John Bosco Conference Participant
“The time I spend at Franciscan University each summer is the spiritual high point of my year. I’ve been attending conferences for 20 years and, God willing, will continue for another 20 or more!”
Mary – Applied Biblical Studies Conference Participant
I always feel proud to be a Catholic as well as reinforced and rejuvenated in my Catholic Faith after a Defending the Faith conference.
Michael – Defending the Faith Conference Participant
Thank you to everyone who made this summer so blessed!
New Priests Every Year
Another fruit of our conferences are vocations. Each year a survey is giving to newly ordained priests and around 15% each year report that attending a Steubenville Conference as a teen was a key moment in discerning their call. What happens at a Steubenville Conference sends ripples of grace through the Church for decades. I praise God for His goodness.
Each Year Is New
Each year thousands of people come to the campus of Franciscan University or to one of our regional youth and young adult conferences. Many of them come for the first time. They don’t know what to exactly what to expect. They come with hungry hearts but they leave satisfied. Many come year and after year because they know they will find the renewal of faith, hope and love that their hearts desire. Every summer God satisfies. As Fr. Michael Scanlan once told me, “Just pray and God will show up.” And He does.
Is This Your Summer?
I want to personally invite you to experience the joy of the gospel and the power of Jesus’ love and mercy at a Steubenville Conference this summer. With five unique conference experiences, we are sure there is one that will meet you where you are at and take you deeper into your faith journey. Be sure to check out our website where you will find information on speakers, themes, talk titles and other important information. I hope to see you this summer.
John Beaulieu, Director of Marketing and Engagement, Christian Outreach Office, Franciscan University of Steubenville