Roots Conference was created to bring students from across Chicago together to be rooted in Christ. No matter your neighborhood, church background, or where you are in your faith journey, we believe the hope found in Jesus is what brings us together. Join students from across the city for a day of growing deeper in your faith, learning together, and building new connections all as we become more deeply rooted in Christ, together.
Our team sponsoring roots is made up of leaders from New Life Community Church, Inner City Impact, Park Community Church, Decision Point, Holy Trinity Church, Young Life, and more!
Abel Lopez is a Colombian American youth leader, born in Chicago and raised in Lyons, IL. As the son of immigrants, Abel has a deep passion for reaching the next generation with the hope of Jesus in culturally authentic and relatable ways. He has been serving in youth ministry since he was a teenager and now brings over a decade of experience investing in students and developing emerging leaders. Abel is passionate about helping young people build genuine relationships with Jesus and equipping them to step confidently into the purpose God has placed on their lives.
Lamar serves as the Director of Thriving Minds at Legacy Disciple. As a South Side Chicago native, Lamar brings over a decade of experience in youth development and creative arts. Through Thriving Minds, he equips students with healthy coping skills through mindfulness and creative expression. Lamar is also the Youth Pastor at Compassion Baptist Church and an active local DJ. Married to his wife Sade since 2009, they are proud parents of four. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, running, music, and exploring new hobbies.
Chin-Chin Lin was born in Taiwan and moved to the United States as a young child, growing up in Minnesota before moving to Chicago for grad school and has been here ever since. She now works in AI consulting and is a member at Park Community Church. In her free time, she's passionate about being the hands and feet of Jesus in the city, especially through affordable housing and what it takes to keep cities dense, livable, and welcoming to everyone. That same instinct — caring about who gets to belong and how — shows up in how she thinks about her own story, too. Growing up between two cultures gave her an early, personal education in identity and belonging, one she's still working out and is glad to talk about today.
O. Arowolaju is a believer, husband, and father. He helps people build their faith and future through preaching at The Tent, a Christian collective; building at The Tentmakers, a creative studio; teaching through future(faith):; and coaching at Greenwood Project, a non-profit focused on increasing economic mobility by preparing Black and Latino college students for careers in the finance industry.
Our opening session will be like a panel where Abel, Lamar, and Chin chin will walk us through Ephesians 2:1-10
We will have multiple groundwork options available during this slot so you can choose which one you would like to participate in. List of options coming soon!
There will be options for how you would like to spend this time. It's made to give you space to get to know other students in the city attending the event!
If you would like to have extended time in worship or prayer, we will have optional worship during this time and people ready to pray for you.
We will have multiple groundwork options available during this slot so you can choose which one you would like to participate in.List of options coming soon!
O. will lead us through Ephesians 2:11-12
*Early Bird price $30 if you register by Nov 1st*
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