Clarks Summit University ramps up its summer schedule after COVID

CLARKS SUMMIT — After nearly two years of meeting the challenges of a pandemic, Clarks Summit University has ramped up its schedule with several summer conferences catering to all ages.

The conference season will open with a “man up” event on May 13 and 14, continue with a LYFE women’s conference on May 20 and 21 and finish with a teen leadership conference (TLC) on July 11 and 16.

LYFE Keynote speaker is Sherrie Holloway, a Clarks Summit resident and national speaker.

Grammy-Award winning artist Laura Story will bring music to the LYFE event. She’s widely recognized for hits like “Blessings” and books like “What if Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?”

Gian Paul Gonzalex, widely recognized for inspiring the New York Giants to their most recent Super Bowl victory with the phrase, “all in,” will speak at the TLC teen conference. NBA Hall-of-Famer Pat Willliams will to to adult men at the “Man Up” event. He most recently served as the senior vice president of NBA’s Orlando Magic.

Paul Golden, director of the men’s conference, pointed out that after a two year break due to the pandemic, it will be great to see men back on campus for the event.

“The weekend is a great time to get away, gear up spiritually and give back,” Golden said, “(I) hope many from the Abingtons can join us.”

National speakers Holloway hopes her presentation will be life changing for the women who attend the conference.

“Worshiping, listening, interacting and learning with women who have all come to hear truth can be a life-altering experience. Sometimes we just need to step away so we can hear the whispers of God a little clearer.” Holloway said.

She is a faculty member at Clarks Summit University, and she hopes the main sessions will help women separate distractions from what is truly important.

“I’m hoping that the three sessions will draw our hearts and minds back to our foundation and help us hit the reset button so we can perhaps discern some of the ‘important’ that may not be, but also to help us handle with renewed focus what truly does need to be a part of our daily lives,” she said.

Terry Perrine women’s LYFE director, said women who have attended the event in the past have been re-energized.

Perrine emphasized that the conference is open to women of the community.

“Local residents can enjoy the benefit of taking in all the Conference has to offer – four delicious meals, great teaching, moving worship music, and fellowship with other women —and also get to explore the beauty of the CSU campus while still going home at the end of the day to rest and get refreshed in their own homes,” Perrine said.

“Topics range from living with suffering, parenting in the challenges of today’s world, how to handle our finances, and how to better trust God. There is truly something for everyone. We will also be enjoying a concert with Dove and Grammy award winning artist Laura Story,” she said.

The Teen Life Conference has historically been life changing for teenagers who attend.

Matt Buchanan, a Clark Summit University student, as well as an area recalled, “Teen Life Conference was such a fun and amazing time! The community aspect was what really sold me.”

The conferences are geared at not only informing and inspiring those who attend, but also in building friendships among participants.