More than 100 Presbyterians involved in collegiate ministries are gathering in Austin, Texas, May 27 to 30 for the first YAMJam. YAM is an acronym for young adult ministries.

YAM-Jam is hosted by the Presbyterian Association for Collegiate and Higher Education Ministries in collaboration with the Office of Collegiate Ministries of the General Assembly Council.

The goal, said the Rev. Tommy Brown, Presbyterian/ Episcopal campus minister at Arizona State University, is to seek creative ways to be in ministry with young adults and college students in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Keynote speakers include Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly; Carol Howard-Merritt, author of "Tribal Church"; and the Rev. Ted Wardlaw, president of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

The classic problem facing young adult ministry in the Presbyterian Church, Brown said, is feeling isolated from the rest of the denomination.

"As our church adjusts to issues of culture and structural changes, YAM-Jam is a way to bring those who care about young adults together to share, learn, worship and play," he said.

To make this happen, he adds, the gathering will follow the flow of a jam session.

"In a musical jam session, friends gather to jam without extensive preparation or set arrangements," he said. "Jam sessions can be used to develop new material, create an arrangement or just to gather together and play."

YAM-Jam will begin like a traditional conference, said Diana Malcom of the PACHEM board of directors, adding, "We hope it will quickly become a true jam session of ideas, creativity and connections for college and young adult ministries."

"It is going to be exciting to see what emerges from YAM-Jam driven by the Holy Spirit working in the passion, energy and creativity of everyone there," she said.

YAM-Jam is limited to 125 participants, with a goal of 50 percent leadership/participation by young adults.

Information for this story furnished by the Rev. Tommy Brown. The story is provided by Worldwide Faith News.