My name is Ben Fowlkes, I am the pastor of children’s ministry at a large church right outside of Cleveland, Ohio. I have volunteered at The Orange Conference not out of need but out of the desire to grow, learn, network and for pure enjoyment.

I volunteer because I get to spend quality time with many of the speakers, vendors and Orange staff. Even while working behind the scenes to make this exciting week happen, they make time to talk and laugh with you. After many years of volunteering, we take time to catch up from past years.

I volunteer because I stand behind this concept of Family Ministry. I see daily the benefit of families coming together with the church to make a greater impact on children. I want to do whatever I can to see many others grasp this concept and put it into action at their churches.

I volunteer because it is FREE! Yes, let me be the first to admit I like FREE. Not only do I get the chance to surround myself with thousands of people in the same walk of life but I get to help others discover new things! As I serve, I walk away more fulfilled and challenged than if I were to pay for a ticket and participate in every breakout session. Every year, I walk away with a free T-shirt, free knowledge, free friendships and free happiness that I get from serving.

I volunteer because I desire to learn and meet new people. Every year, I leave the conference with new lifelong friends in ministry. I get joy from scanning a tag at a breakout room door, helping someone find a seat or just answering someone’s question.

I volunteer because I believe in Orange as a way of life in both ministry and with my family, and I want to be able to help others implement it in their lives as well.

See you this year at The Orange Conference! I will be volunteering and would love for you to join me!

We are in need of volunteers for OC13, so if you’ve been on the fence about joining up, please jump off the fence and join us! Specific areas needing assistance: Breakouts, Registration and Gallery. Times needing coverage are:

Tuesday, April 23, 4-10 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24 2-10 p.m.
Thursday, April 25, 7, a.m.–3 p.m.
Thursday, April 25, 2-10 p.m.
Friday, April 26, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Ben Fowlkes is pastor of children’s ministry at Church of the Open Door in Elyria, Ohio, and author of the digital children’s book series, “The Adventures of Bed Head Fred.”