Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Dealing With Today’s Teens Seminars?
- What do the seminars offer parents?
- Who leads the seminars?
- How much does the seminar cost?
- How long has Mark been working with families of teenagers?
- Are these Biblically based seminars?
- What is the time frame of the seminar?
- How much time and effort does organizing a seminar take?
- If I want a seminar at my church/community, what do I need to do?
What is the purpose of the Dealing With Today’s Teens Seminars?
Our desire is to help youth leaders, pastors, and parents in their work with adolescents and teens who are struggling. The purpose of the seminar is to give direction and understanding to dealing with those young people caught in a world of struggle. Practical in presentation and effective in experience, these seminars give parents a sense of hope, practical advice on raising their teen, and alternatives to help change a situation with a struggling teen.
Return to TopWhat do the seminars offer parents?
These 5 hour seminars are helpful to those who desire to further their understanding of pursuing relationships with their teen and maintaining relationships with kids who are going through a difficult time. Over and over, we have been told that parents, pastors, and youth ministers come away with an understanding of struggling teens, and ways to effectively deal with them, thus offering hope, relationships, and effective strategies to deal with crisis, rebellion, and out of control behavior.
Return to TopWho leads the seminars?
Mark Gregston leads the seminars and has been involved in the lives of kids for over 30 years. As a former youth minister, Young Life Area Director, and Executive Director of Counseling Centers for Adolescents, Mark brings a world of expertise, candor, Biblical wisdom and frank discussion about kids who struggle. He is actively involved in the lives of teens, and directs a program that he and his wife founded called Heartlight Ministries, a residential counseling center for 48 high school young people.
Mark and his wife Jan can make themselves available following the Saturday afternoon seminar for individual counseling sessions (30 minutes each), to give direction and guidance to those in a crisis situation.
Return to TopHow much does the seminar cost?
We ask that the host church/group pay a $1,500 seminar fee, and all travel expenses for 2 people. This includes the marketing package (posters, brochures, bulletin inserts, and DVD promo video). In addition, DWTT would receive $20 a person for each person in attendance. DWTT suggests charging $40 a person to attend.
These seminars typically attract 100 to 200 people. With 100 people in attendance, income would be $4,000. With $1,500 taken out for the fee, $2,000 for the 100 in attendance count and $500 for travel and lodging (this is a high estimate), the event would break even. Should 200 people attend, the church would make $2000.
Most of the time, churches subsidize the amount charged or pay for the entire seminar and offer the seminar as a service to their church.
Return to TopHow long has Mark been working with families of teenagers?
Mark has been working with struggling teens for 30 years, most of that time in a residential setting. His expertise includes those teens who have experienced sexual abuse, are having adoption issues, are rebellious, have suffered significant loss, are depressed or angry, or are simply having a difficult time growing up.
Return to TopAre these Biblically based seminars?
Yes. However, the seminars are presented in such a way that no one would feel presumed upon or feel like anything is being “shoved down their throat”.
Return to TopWhat is the time frame of the seminar?
These seminars are typically held on a Friday night from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday morning, leaving Saturday afternoon available for counseling times.
Return to TopHow much time and effort does organizing a seminar take?
Once a date and location are set, we find that the publicity materials draw people to the seminar. People are struggling and looking for answers and will find this seminar if information is placed in visible locations. Advertisement should begin 6 to 8 weeks in advance, and a few hours a week to focus on details should guarantee the success of the event.
Return to TopIf I want one of these seminars at my church/community, what must I do to make things happen?
- Contact us to let us know you if are interested and to find available dates for the seminars.
- Contact your local church or facility to inquire about their available dates and the name of the contact person.
- Call Amanda Childress at (903) 668-2173 or email her to schedule and organize your Dealing With Today’s Teens Seminar.