About ThinkWell

The Conference

The latest ThinkWell was June 25–30, 2023. The next one will be the last week of June in 2025.

What Is ThinkWell?

ThinkWell is a one-week worldview and apologetics training conference for young adults (ages 14 to 22) sponsored and hosted by CrossLife Community Church in Charlottesville, Virginia (more about CrossLife here). ThinkWell covers topics related to worldview, apologetics, biblical stewardship, personal discipleship, evangelism, and missions.

Why ThinkWell?

Goals of the conference are to help students:

  • Understand the content of the Christian faith and how it stands apart from other religions and worldviews;

  • Grow in confidence and personal application of biblical truth; and

  • Be equipped and motivated to engage the world around them so that more will come to know and follow Jesus Christ.

Christianity is a faith of the heart and the mind. Part of the Greatest Commandment is to love the Lord with all our minds; Romans 12:2 says we are to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds." Despite this emphasis on the mind and reason, some have called our age the most anti-intellectual in church history. Teens in particular face a dual challenge as they enter some of their most formative years. 

As they prepare for high school, college, and adulthood, Christian teens need to be prepared to "contend for the faith," first in their own minds and hearts, and then in their families, peer circles, schools, workplaces, and the public square. We need a revival of both hearts and minds within the next generation. We need today's teens (and all Christ-followers) to be able to think well and deeply about their faith, to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to integrate their faith into every aspect of their lives.

See a sampling of testimonials from past attendees, parents, and pastors

History of the Conference

CrossLife Community Church hosted its first ThinkWell Conference in July 2016, with 67 students attending from Charlottesville and nearby cities. Our keynote speaker was Del Tackett (author of The Truth Project and The Engagement Project). Additional nationally known speakers included Jennifer Marshall Patterson (then a vice president of the Heritage Foundation) and Axis (a traveling apologetics group and spin-off of Summit Ministries). 

Our second ThinkWell was held in June 2018. We had 82 students attend, and Colson Center President John Stonestreet began the event as our keynote speaker Sunday night and Monday. Author/speaker Trillia Newbell and Family Foundation (of Virginia) President Victoria Cobb also spoke during the week. 

Our third ThinkWell was originally scheduled for June 2020 but had to be postponed due to Covid-19 until June 2021. Brett Kunkle keynoted our 2021 conference, and other speakers included Dr. Glenn Sunshine, Brad Wilcox, and Michael and Elizabeth Stewart, among others.

Our fourth ThinkWell was held June 25–30, 2023. Renowned apologist Frank Turek keynoted the conference; professional counselor Keith McCurdy spoke in a special session for parents plus addressed students; and other speakers included Adam Coleman, Rob Spinney, and others.