Youth Leader Summit

October 19-21, 2026

Register Now

“A time of rest and renewal sharing common grounds of youth ministry.”

-Attendee of previous Mo-Ranch Youth Leader Summit

2021 | 2022| 2023| 2024

A weekend retreat where you can come together to worship and learn leadership skills while doing fun recreational activities!

The Youth Leader Summit seeks to be a supportive and informative gathering for all who work with young people in the church—youth directors, parents, pastors, educators and/or advisors are all welcome! Together, we will spend three days and two nights digging into some of the current issues facing youth ministry while also sharing joys, concerns and best practices. There will also be time for individual and group worship, play, rest and relaxation!

Working with and serving students in middle and high school, plus their parents, in our communities of faith requires no small amount of creativity, vision, persistence and joyful patience. In fact, youth ministry demands all the energy, intelligence, imagination and love that we can muster.

We want to honor our partnership in ministry with you by offering this annual event. Mo-Ranch wants to pour some love and strength back into you! We believe you need and deserve some dedicated time away with your colleagues to recharge and regroup.

Youth Leader Summit 2026 Leadership

Rev. Chris Hazlaris

Chris was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. After attending Fordham University in New York and Yale for Divinity School, he returned home to serve at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he has worked as their Director of Youth and Young Adults for 7 years now. Nothing means more to Chris than encouraging and affirming young people for just how each one of them is beloved by God. In his spare time, Chris plays competitive soccer, enjoys licks from his toy poodle, and is blessed to spend time with his wife Gina.

Rev. Amy Sutherlun

Amy grew up in Texas and New Mexico, the middle child of a 6th-generation pastor. A graduate of Austin College and Princeton Theological Seminary, she has been a missionary in Malawi, Africa, a teacher in inner-city Dallas, and a pastor of churches in West Virginia and Texas. Amy currently serves (with her husband, Joshua) as co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, Texas. She is also thrilled (frazzled/daunted/amused) to be the mother of one daughter and three sons. Amy’s life is filled with laughter, liturgy, and laundry, and though she doesn’t have much time for hobbies, she loves rivers, writing, travelling, and good tortillas.

Rev. Gini Norris-Lane

Rev. Dr. Gini Norris-Lane became the executive director of UKirk in July, 2019, after having previously served as campus minister at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX from 2005-2019. She holds degrees from Temple Junior College (AA), Baylor University (BS in Education), Austin Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (D.Min.). She has been ordained in the PC(USA) since 1999. In addition to coordinating a grant for the PC(USA) from the Lilly Endowment prior to her career in campus ministry, she served congregations in San Antonio, TX, and Conyers, GA. From January, 2021 to August, 2023, she also served as the part-time stated supply pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Uvalde, Texas.

She and her husband, Wes, have two sons, Austin and Max, and a bonus daughter, Chrissy, and live in Kerrville with their two dogs, Hank and Leah.

Jennise Ramos

Jennise Ramos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of clinical experience helping individuals navigate anxiety, grief, and stress. As a guest speaker, she transforms complex mental health concepts into practical workplace strategies. Jennise specializes in burnout prevention for high-pressure teams, empowering audiences to move from a state of chronic stress to long-term, sustainable resilience. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and being bossed around by her dachshunds and teen daughter.

Tim Huchton

Tim Huchton is the President and CEO of Mo-Ranch and has spent 30-plus years working in the camping industry. He is passionate about the camp experience and thinks that every child should have the opportunity to attend camp. He has worked at independent private, nonprofit, special needs, and religiously affiliated camps, and also worked for the American Camp Association. Tim married way above his pay grade to Becca, whom he met while they were working at camp; his two kids both attend and LOVE camp. He and Becca have seen firsthand how camp has helped shape and impact their lives. Tim is a professional photographer, voice actor, and speaker who has spoken at numerous camps, emergency response, and risk management conferences around the country. Tim prefers jellies over jams, dogs over cats, and summer over winter!

2026 Youth Leader Summit Schedule

Cost and Housing

Attendees will be housed in Guest Lodge.

This conference is free. Meals included, starting with dinner Monday until breakfast Wednesday.

Questions? We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.

Packing Suggestions

Comfortable/casual clothes
Comfortable walking shoes (close-toed shoes recommended)
Flashlight (it is very dark here at night)
Bible
Journal
Toiletries
Sunblock, sunshades and hats
Rain jacket
Water bottle
A clean face mask for each day, and or full face shield.
Beds are ready upon arrive; hotel rooms do not have mini-fridges, microwaves, TVs or hair dryers, so please plan accordingly.
Towel are in rooms, and river towels are at the river and pool.

Transportation

Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event. If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport.

Directions to Mo.

Bookstore

Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir!

Questions

We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.