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November 11-13, 2025

Talk Ministry.
Build Community.
Leave Encouraged.

Register!

This isn’t your typical youth ministry conference.

It’s designed to feel smaller, more personal, and way more relational—because the best ministry growth happens in community. You’ll be equipped with practical ideas, encouraged by powerful sessions from trusted ministry leaders, and invited into intentional conversations with youth workers who truly get it.

At DYM100 Roundtable, you shape the conversation—your questions, your challenges, your unique context. This experience creates space for real ministry conversations—where you can share, seek advice, and discover fresh solutions.

You’re invited, it won’t be the same without you.

Why a “Roundtable Gathering”?

Because youth ministry can be isolating.

We’ve flipped the script to focus on real-time conversations instead of one-way teaching. This format creates room to explore your specific challenges, bounce ideas around with experienced leaders, and leave with clarity—not just a notebook full of notes.

Hosted by Doug Fields and Josh Griffin, two youth ministry veterans still serving in the local church, this event is deeply rooted in their heart for encouraging and equipping leaders like you. They’ve shaped this experience to include laughter, connection, and the kind of soul-level encouragement that reminds you why you do what you do.

Last year’s Roundtable was one of our highest-rated events ever—and we can’t wait to do it again.

DYM100 is such a must! If you want your soul to be filled from challenging sessions, fantastic roundtable discussions, tons of laughter and old and new friends – this is for you. They do not hold back from blessing you!

At a Glance

November 11-13, 2025

Starts: Tuesday, November 11 at 2pm
Ends: Thursday, November 13 at 3pm

Mariners Church
5001 Newport Coast Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

$399

3 meals, drinks and snacks included

(SNA) Orange County Airport [10 min from Mariners]
(LAX) Los Angeles [70-200 minutes depending on traffic]

Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
18800 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612 • (949) 833-9999

Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport
2192 Dupont Dr, Irvine, CA 92612 (949) 748-1060

About the Event

Come and Learn

At DYM’s Roundtable, you’re not just here to listen—you help shape what we talk about. We’ve flipped the script so the content isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s focused on you—your ministry, your challenges, your questions.

The general sessions are packed with real-life ministry wisdom from incredible thought leaders and trusted voices who are still in the trenches of youth ministry. You’ll hear honest insights, ask real questions, and leave with practical ideas you can immediately implement back home.

Choose Your Topic and Sharpen Your Skills

In addition to several large group gatherings we’ll have a few breakout sessions where you get to pick and choose from a menu of topics (topics will be revealed at a later date).


Our breakout sessions are led by trusted ministry leaders who are actively serving in youth ministry today. Each session is designed to target the most relevant topics youth workers are navigating right now—offering practical, solution-focused ideas you can implement immediately.

Table Groups and Developing Community

DYM Roundtable is all about CONNECTING. You’ll have the chance to connect with other youth workers who share similar journeys, passions, and struggles. Prepare to engage with individuals who will challenge your thinking, broaden your perspectives, and push you to new heights of creativity and impact.

One of the benefits of limiting spacing is TABLES… we prefer tables to rows and we will capitalize on this by having vetted, veteran youth workers at each table. This table-lead will be available at every session to help you in whatever you need–personally or professionally. Plus, the type of leaders we are choosing to facilitate are also the types that will be there for you long after the conference is over.

Personalized Coaching

You don’t have to do this alone. Throughout the event, experienced youth workers will be available to sit with you, listen, pray, and offer guidance tailored to your ministry needs. Some are nationally known leaders, others are faithful, long-term youth workers who simply said “yes” to being present and all-in for you.

It’s like having a personal ministry coach on-site—and it’s all included in your registration.

This year’s speakers include...

We’ve gathered top tier youth ministry veterans and thought-leaders for you to learn from.

Author, Speaker, Co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Doug Fields

Doug Fields is currently the Youth/Parent/Marriage Pastor at Mariners Church in So. CA. He’s most well known for his longevity and influence in youth ministry (35+ years as a youth pastor) and for writing the award-winning book Purpose Driven Youth Ministry—which is a youth ministry textbook translated in over 30 languages. He’s the author of 60+ Marriage/Family/Youth books including Your First 2 Years in Youth Ministry, Speaking To Teenagers, and Intentional Parenting. He’s the co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com where he currently helps lead a team of resource providers (Coleader.co) and youth ministry training events (DYMtraining.com). In addition to youth ministry, he speaks at Marriage Events thru HomeWord.com, where he shares stories of his 40 years of marriage to Cathy and displays too many photos of his children and grandchildren. 

Veteran Youth Pastor, Co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Josh Griffin

Josh Griffin is a trusted leader at Download Youth Ministry. He is one of the leading voices in youth ministry with over 25 years experience in the trenches. He is currently the junior high pastor at Mariners Church in So CA. Prior to co-founding DYM, Josh was the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church and the leader of the PDYM global movement. He has created more than 100 youth ministry resources and authored several books. In addition to training thousands of youth workers yearly, he is in demand as an emcee and all-around-great-guy. He’s been married to his college sweetheart (Angela) for 25 years, has 4 children, and more dogs than most kennels. 

20+ year Veteran Youth Worker

Jessica Sanchez

Jessica Sanchez has been serving the local church for over 20 years in a variety of roles in children’s, youth, and adult ministry. Her deepest joy is found in empowering, ministering to, and caring for leaders in the church. She’s on the Download Youth Ministry team, a volunteer small group leader at her church, and a spiritual director. 

20+ Year Middle School Ministry Veteran

Kristen Lascola

Kristen has been the Junior High Pastor at North Coast Church in Southern California for over twenty years. She is also the creator and host of “The Ministry Coach Podcast” and the “Youth Ministry Growth Accelerator” program along with her husband, Jeff. They have two daughters and are both major Weiner Dog and biking enthusiasts!  

Speaker, Author, and Activist

Christine Caine

Christine Caine is a speaker, author, and activist who has been serving the local church globally for over 30 years. She and her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign, which works at the local, domestic, and international level to end modern-day slavery. They also founded Equip & Empower, a ministry that is mobilizing people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus. Propel Women is an initiative of the ministry dedicated to coming alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. The ministry has also planted three life-giving Zoe Churches in Europe that are not only bringing the Gospel to the region, but also serve the most vulnerable through humanitarian outreach during times of crisis.

Christine is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books and studies and you can tune into her weekly podcast or television program to be encouraged with the hope of Jesus wherever you are. Christine holds a Master’s Degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College.

…and friends

“

This conference is worth it! Whether you are a youth worker of 20 years or 20 days there is something for everyone here. You will leave feeling equipped and excited to go back to your students!

“

DYM 100 has everything you could ask for in a conference. You've got great community, a lot of fun, and you return home rested and geared up to do great ministry!

“

DYM Roundtables was a thought provoking experience full of ridiculous fun and personal refreshment! Good for the newbie and veteran youth worker alike. You should definitely add it to your calendar!

“

DYM100 is transformational to my life and my ministry. The combination of incredible presenters with the backdrop of fun and fellowship in a way only Josh and Doug can do it make this event a must-do for Student Ministry leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this event for?

You… if you’re a youth worker. Full-time, part-time, volunteer… if you’ve got some time under your belt and you want to learn from others, this is for you!

Will it all be discussion?

No. The foundation of the conference will be dialogue, but there will also be some teaching elements from Doug, Josh and some friends. Some listening and note-taking, but the uniqueness will be the conversations and connections time.

What will the discussion center around?

Mostly “youth ministry” and “you”. Prior to arriving, you will fill out a survey about the topics that interest you (i.e. conflict, evangelism, church staff, programming, teaching, sexual issues in youth ministry, volunteers, etc…). We’ll compile and curate and make sure we get to discuss what most

I dabble in witchcraft, will the content apply to me?

No

I’ve heard of legendary events you’ve put on in the past (DYM100)... is this event going to be like the others?

Kinda… but, not really. Each DYM100 was unique and full of surprises. With this conference we’re shifting gears a little and focusing more on creating space for dialogue and connection… BUT, there will be some similarities to DYM100 (fun, accessibility, etc.) We’ve been telling DYM100 veterans that this event will have less “Wow!” and more “Content and Connection!”

Are meals included in the price of the conference?

Some are! (Tuesday dinner; Wednesday & Thursday lunch)

Where should I stay?

AirBnB if you like being recorded while you sleep, or at a hotel (see our recommendations below), or with a friend, or on Doug’s couch. It’s up to you!

When you sign up you will get access to a private Facebook group and you can jump in and talk details like room or ride-sharing.

Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
18800 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612 • (949) 833-9999

Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport
2192 Dupont Dr, Irvine, CA 92612 • (949) 748-1060

Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport
1325 E Dyer Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92705 • (714) 241-3800

Is childcare available?

While we cannot provide childcare during training events, we do our best to remain flexible while being considerate of the other attendees’ learning experience. Our goal is to be as accommodating as possible while ensuring all of our guests have the best experience!

We have periodically had attendees bring their young children with them to conferences (the added cuteness on campus always brings a smile to our faces)! Since we do not provide childcare, attendees can find seating in the back of the room so they can have an easy exit in case their little one gets restless/loud and needs to leave the room for a bit. Luckily, the audio from the meeting room can be heard over the speakers throughout the building we host the event at, so even when people need to leave the room, they can continue to listen to everything that is going on in the room. There are several spaces in the building (booths, couches, etc.) where parents can move and continue to listen in on the training.

What's the schedule?

Here are the broad strokes of timing to give you an idea of what we’re doing, but not specific enough to spoil any surprises.

 

Session = a general gathering, a breakout, a discussion group, or a coaching time (we reserve the right to change any of these, but this will be our starting and ending times).

 

Tuesday Nov. 11th

1pm Registration

2pm Session 1

4pm Session 2

6pm Dinner (provided)

7pm Optional event/activity

 

Wednesday Nov. 12th

9am Session 3

11am Session 4

12:30 Lunch (provided)

2pm Session 5

4pm Session 6

6pm Dinner

7pm Optional event/activity OR observe our youth ministry in action!

 

Thursday Nov. 13th

9am Session 7

10:30am Session 8

12:00 Lunch (provided)

1pm Session 9

3pm DONE!

Are there refunds?

DYM English: “Nope!”

Spanish: “No”

French: “Non”

German: “Nein”

Italian: “No”

Japanese: “いいえ” (Pronounced as “iie”)

 

We’ll pass your registration fee to someone else if you can’t attend, but we’re not staffed to play the refund-game. Our encouragement would be to be 100% sure you can attend before securing a spot. Again, sorry we don’t do refunds.

I have other questions, how can I find those answers?

Perfect. Send those questions to events@downloadyouthministry.com and we’ll answer them and then add them to this list.

Have questions?

Email us