The following post is from Joshua Breazeale, Minister of education and children, Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, Nc.

I attended my first ChurchWorks as a divinity student, and I had such a good experience that I told myself I would go back once I was serving in a congregation. In February, I will attend my 5th ChurchWorks conference. As soon as I hear about the dates, it is an event I put on my calendar to attend each year.

The ChurchWorks conference refreshes my soul. As a young minister and a minister of education, here are five ways that I find the conference to be most beneficial:

1. It is an opportunity to get away from the norms of life and work. I enjoy a change of pace in my routine and schedule.

2. It is a place of learning with other Christian educators as we collectively share about our hopes, dreams, successes and even struggles and challenges.

3. There are opportunities to forge new friendships and strengthen old ones. It is great to see many of the same people each year.

4. There are designated times to just fellowship with other young ministers.

5. Dynamic speakers and relevant workshops challenge and lead us.

ChurchWorks is a conference from which I benefit both professionally and personally. I encourage you to go, whether you have never been or have attended times before. I hope to see you in Fort Worth in February.

For more information on 2013 ChurchWorks! (Feb. 25-27) in Fort Worth, Texas and how to attend, please click here.