Youth Leader
Conference

Student Ministry //

Youth Leader Conference

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Blackhawk Brader Way

The Blackhawk Youth Leader Conference (YLC) exists to accomplish three things: to equip, energize, and connect people serving in youth ministry. The conference is designed for teams (staff and volunteers) to learn, grow, and connect with each other and across churches and ministries. Join us as we create space together to be encouraged and united in our mission to love and lead students to know and follow Jesus.

We start the day with an encouraging message and worship, then you’ll head into your choice of breakout topics like Trauma Informed Care, YLC Book Club, Identity Workshop, and more.

    • $16: Early Bird (through September 21)
    • $24: Regular Registration (through November 2)
    • $30: Day of Registration (November 14)

Conference Schedule

Saturday, November 14, 2026

8:00 : Check In & Onsite Registration Opens

8:30 : General Session

9:20 : Breakout 1

10:45 : Breakout 2

12:05 : Closing Session

12:30 : Conference End

Speakers //
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Keynote Speaker: Matt Metzger

Matt Metzger grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, while his wife Rachel grew up in Madison, attending Blackhawk Church from a very young age. They met at Wheaton College in Illinois, got married at Blackhawk in 1994, and then worked together in youth ministry at Matt’s home church in Ft. Lauderdale. Before moving to Madison, they served for three years at a high adventure ministry in Colorado.

Matt joined the Blackhawk staff in September 2000 as the College and Young Adult Pastor and began his role as Lead Pastor of Blackhawk Downtown in 2010. In July of 2021, Matt took on the role of Senior Pastor of Blackhawk Church. Rachel is on staff part time with the Spiritual Formation team, serving as Next Steps Coordinator. They enjoy using their gym membership, as well as staying active through doubles beach volleyball, wake surfing, pickleball, and hiking. Matt and Rachel are both big fans of UW sports. They love spending time with their daughters Hannah and Leah, but also have enjoyed the new adventure of becoming empty nesters.

 
Breakout Speaker: Abigail Sawczak

Abbie is a licensed mental health professional and ordained minister who serves as a pastor in Madison, Wisconsin, while also working as an outpatient psychotherapist. She is passionate about helping individuals and churches pursue holistic healing, emotional health, and a flourishing life with Jesus. Through both ministry and mental health care, Abbie brings together faith, practical tools, and compassionate support to help people become whole and live with greater purpose.

 
Breakout Speaker: Christian Eggers

Christian Eggers is on staff with Blackhawk Church and served as a volunteer leader with the Student Ministries for several years. In her 9-5, she works with the Brader Way and Spiritual Formation teams to create opportunities for intergenerational connection on Sundays and throughout the week. Much of her focus is on leading Blackhawk’s Young Adult ministry and equipping people of all ages to connect with God, with one another, and with the life of the church.

 
Breakout Speaker: Veronica Hummel

Veronica currently serves as the Associate Director of Team Development at Blackhawk Fitchburg. She and her husband, Dan have lived in Madison for over 15 years but are originally from Colorado. They have three boys that are 6 (twins) and 4. Veronica loves to read and is always happy to have a conversation about good books and good food but also enjoys time outside and perpetually learning new skills. 

 
Breakout Speaker: Micah Howard

Micah is our Director of High School Ministry. He is a native to Philadelphia, PA but has lived in Wisconsin for 8 years. He has a Master’s of Divinity from TEDS Theological Seminary. He has a passion for helping students see the meaning and relevance of the story of the Bible so that they can experience the love and freedom of Jesus. In his free time, you can find him playing strategy games, riding his ebike, or cuddling with his four cats.

 
Breakout Speaker: Scott Webb

Scott Webb is a trauma survivor himself who has worked in the behavioral health field for 38 years. His career has included clinical, administrative, and consultative work. He is a commissioned Stephen Leader through Stephen Ministries and started a Stephen Ministry at his church. He previously served as the Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator at the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services before retiring. He holds a Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

 
Breakout Speakers: Isaiah Wu & Hannah Busse
Isaiah Wu serves as Associate Director of Worship Arts at Blackhawk Church and has been leading musical worship for six years. He studied Cello Performance at THE™ Ohio State University and holds a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. If he could, he would eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and he unofficially holds the world record for the tallest Smarties tower.
Hannah Busse serves as Associate Director of Worship Arts at Blackhawk Church, where she has been leading and developing worship ministry for nearly 20 years. She is a singer, songwriter, and music director with experience spanning church worship, musical theater, and mainstream music, and she has a growing passion for multicultural worship. This fall, she is helping launch SWAC (Student Worship Arts Community) at Blackhawk. Hannah is also a wife and mom to three girls ranging from elementary school to the teenage years, which keeps her life full of carpooling, shopping, and sleepovers. She is practically undefeated at Boggle, adores her little white dog Charlie, and has altogether too many indoor plants.
   
Breakout Speaker: Aleta McGee
Aleta McGee started attending Blackhawk church during her Junior year of high school after moving to Middleton with her parents. She attended UW-Madison and worked at Epic as a project manager and trainer before deciding to stay home full-time with her 3 now teenage sons. Over the last 30 years she has participated in many different ministries at Blackhawk and this year is her 6th volunteering with the Brader Way HSM group.
On any given day you will find her at the gym, hiking outdoors, refinishing furniture, painting, crocheting, organizing closets, nannying, going to Middleton volleyball games, tackling home projects, and hanging out with friends and family.