On Thursday night, Duffy Robbins will challenge youth to REACH HIGHER in the faith.

"Duffy Robbins is an amazing speaker, and he is so funny!"
    — Caroline

Caroline was not the only person at Youth '99 to be impressed and influenced by Duffy Robbins. Robbins is able to discuss the Bible and contemporary issues through humor and storytelling in a way that engages and challenges both youth and youth workers. We heard the rave reviews and personal testimonies about Robbins's influence on individuals at Youth '99 and are pleased to have Duffy Robbins joining us again at Youth 2003.

Robbins is the Chairman of the Department of Youth Ministry at Eastern College, St. David's, Pennsylvania. He is a twenty-four-year veteran of youth ministry, having gained extensive experience as a youth minister in both parachurch and local parish positions. A graduate of the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Robbins graduated magna cum laude with a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Robbins speaks across the country at youth retreats and conventions, conferences and workshops for youth workers, and at major Christian music festivals such as Cornerstone and ICHTHUS. His ministry also takes him to youth conventions and training conferences around the world. Robbins has been spotted in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa sharing the good news with youth and youth workers.

Robbins remains humble even in the midst of many invitations and much praise. When asked what type of impact he thought he had on the youth at Youth '99, he responded, "Only time will tell, but whenever I finish a conference like this I always remember Philippians 1:6 where Paul says, 'He who began a good work will see it through to completion.' So I just try to be clear in what I think the Scriptures say and then trust the spirit to apply it to the kids in the way God knows they need."

Participants at Youth 2003 are fortunate to hear from and converse with Duffy Robbins, one of the giants in youth ministry. Ordained in The United Methodist Church, Robbins has been active within the denomination, writing curriculum, speaking at numerous youth and youth worker events, and serving as a consultant to The United Methodist Publishing House on issues pertaining to youth and youth ministry. Through his column, "The Next Generation," Duffy is a regular contributor to Good News Magazine, a semi-monthly magazine committed to scriptural Christianity within The United Methodist Church.

Duffy Robbins is the author of numerous books, including Youth Ministry That Works (Victor, 1991), Ministry of Nurture (Zondervan, 1990), Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts (Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2001), Going the Distance (Zondervan, 1991), Spontaneous Melodramas I and II (Zondervan/Youth Specialties), Memory Makers (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) and Everyday Object Lessons for Youth Groups (Zondervan, 1999).

Robbins lives in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Maggie. They have two incredible daughters, Erin (now, Erin Lima) and Katie.