FT. MYERS — The Florida Conference’s Lay Speaking Ministry held its first-ever foreign language training classes last year to encourage participation by more diverse groups. Now, it’s attracting a growing number of youth.

According to Glenna Kyker Brayton, the conference’s director of Lay Speaking, the more than 135 local church or certified lay youth speakers account for almost 10 percent of the conference’s lay speakers.

Youth as young as 13 years old have completed the training, while others are pursuing that goal during college. Some have completed the advanced training and are qualified to speak in any church in the Florida Conference, but most are serving within their local church.

The Jacksonville district has offered two basic training events specifically for youth; the Miami district has held one.

Chris Sell, 16, is leading the youth lay speaking movement in the Fort Myers district. He is a member of Cypress Lake United Methodist Church here and one of the first youth in the district to complete the basic training course, according to the Rev. Budd Johnson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Bonita Springs, and district director of Lay Speaking.

“He seemed to have an interest in ministry…loving and serving people.” Johnson said. “He was searching to know God better and to help other people to know God better.”

Sell completed his basic training last spring, making him a local church lay speaker. Since then he has participated in and preached at several worship services, according to his pastor, the Rev. George Dettman.

Dettman said Sell will probably be involved in the church’s Good Friday service, which is organized and led by lay speakers.

Sell became interested in lay speaking when a group of lay speakers visited his church. “Their stories were interesting, and it seemed like a lot of fun and an interesting thing to do,” he said. He asked former lay leader Richard Dickey to help him get involved.

Sell said he learned a lot about the Bible, Methodist history and how the United Methodist Church compares to other denominations.

He says being a lay speaker has opened new doors to ministry. “Now…a lot more people in the church know me,” Sell said. “I’d like to preach more…and be a person someone could turn to if they needed something done.”

Dettman said having a youth lay speaker has been good for the church, which is actively developing ministries to reach young families and youth. “We’re more a retired church, but we have a growing number of young families,” he said. “He’s [Sell] developing leadership in the youth area and worship. He’s visible in the church…in practical, hands-on ways.”

Sell said he recommends Lay Speaking training for other young people. “It’s a good experience and a good thing to do,” he said. “It gives you a push to do more things in the church.”

In addition to his lay speaking responsibilities, Sell is involved in a ministry to fourth- through sixth-grade children and is completing his Eagle Scout qualifications. He hopes to make his application after March. He is also an active junior at Ft. Myers High School.