Record numbers of young people are expected to give up lazy days at the beach this summer to train for Christian ministry.

Anglican Youthworks has booked out both of the Youthworks' campsites by the Shoalhaven River from January 22-27 for its annual Leaders in Training (LiT) conference.

Lillian Wright, 15, from Christ Church, Springwood will be there again in January.

"LiT has definitely made a huge change in my life," Lillian says.

"It has really inspired me to sit up and take my faith seriously.”

Ray Galea, senior minister at Multicultural Bible Ministries Rooty Hill and Andrew Barry, assistant minister at Annandale Anglican Church will speak from 1 and 2 Samuel.

"It's one of the most important conferences in the year," Ray says.

"It fast forwards those who want to grow in their understanding of God."

The conference takes place in the last week of the January school holidays and is for those entering Years 10-12 at school.

Aimed to run over two years at varying stages of a young person's ministry development, it includes Bible teaching, discussion groups and workshops on children's, school, camping and youth ministry.

Getting ready to be challenged

Andrew Stevenson, a youth advisor with Youthworks, is excited about the opportunity he has to encourage members of his church, St Barnabas' Broadway, to go on the conference.

"LiT is a conference that is doing great things for gospel ministry, both now and in the future," he said.

"The fact that I can take 10-12 of my Year 10 and 11s away to a camp for a whole week and have them meet other Christian youth, learn about God in an in-depth way from great Bible teachers like Ray Galea, and be trained in various ministries is absolutely priceless.

"These young people will be encouraged and have their hearts and lives changed. What more could I ask for as a youth minister?"

Those who have completed LiT also testify about its impact on their lives.

"LiT has helped me to see that promoting God's message should be first in all areas of our life," said Hannah Cameron, 18, from St Martin's, Killara.

"LiT changed my life completely," says Sarah Williamson, 18, from Cobbitty. "I went simply because I thought I was a Christian and I wanted to lead in my church, but God used the speakers and the leaders at to help me realise just what it means to be a Christian.

"Now I’m in full-time camping ministry and I believe that God used LiT to get me here.”