FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

This page covers the following four categories of questions:

  • CONFERENCE BASICS

  • QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO CAN ATTEND

  • COST QUESTIONS

  • REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

Conference Basics

When is the conference?

The next ThinkWell Conference is June 22-27, 2025.

Where is the conference, and who sponsors it?

ThinkWell is sponsored and hosted by CrossLife Community Church. The address of the church is 1410 Old Brook Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901. (We are located at the corner of Rio Road and Old Brook, about a half-mile from Fashion Square Mall.)

Who speaks at the conference?

CrossLife Pastor Todd Cothran moderates the conference and teaches some of the sessions. The other speakers are a combination of local, regional, and national speakers whom we deem qualified to speak or teach on certain apologetics/worldview topics.

Past speakers have included Frank Turek, Brett Kunkle, Glenn Sunshine, John Stonestreet, Del Tackett, and Axis (a traveling apologetics team that is a spin-off of Summit Ministries).

What topics are covered?

Sample schedules of session topics are here (2023) and there (2021). In the past, we have sought to be as comprehensive as our time allows, recognizing that God and his Word speak to all areas of life. We have covered the following areas at past conferences:

  • Reliability of the Bible

  • The case for the Resurrection

  • The exclusivity claims of Jesus (as the only way to salvation)

  • Christian worldview vis-à-vis other worldviews and religions

  • Science and faith topics

  • Beauty and music/art

  • Biblical archaeology

  • Marriage and family, including the sanctity of human life

  • Gender and identity issues

  • A Christian view on poverty

  • Religious liberty

  • Civic engagement

  • Media/entertainment and technology

  • Evangelism

  • Living a purposeful life

What is the format of the conference?

Refer to the 2023 detailed schedule here as a sample. Time is allotted for:

  • Welcome and worship in song (first thing in the morning)

  • Speakers’ sessions (45-minute lectures with a range of interactivity depending on the speaker)

  • Q&A sessions

  • Breakout activities in small groups (these are age-based and led/facilitated by trained leaders)

  • Mid-day lunch break plus shorter morning and afternoon breaks

Are the conference sessions recorded, and if so, how do I access them?

All registered attendees receive access to all recorded speaker sessions after the conference (these usually take a couple weeks for us to edit and post; we typically post a few at a time). Many sessions are also available to the public with or without a password. We will send an access link and password to all registrants so you can view these recordings.

Note that we highly recommend that young people attend in person (rather than just viewing the videos later), as the fellowship, interaction with other students and speakers, and immersive learning experience are an integral part of ThinkWell.

Questions About Who Can Attend

What ages are allowed to attend?

The conference is recommended for ages 14–22. Younger participants have been allowed in the past at parent discretion. In 2025, this age range will be stricter, with students being required to be at least 14 to attend.

Can parents/guardians attend?

This conference is first and foremost for young people. The kick-off evening, another evening event, and the closing event are all open to parents and other family members. 

Is there child care?

There is no child care during the weekdays of the conference. Child care is offered during the midweek evening event.

Is it appropriate for a nonbeliever to attend this conference?

Yes! While the conference certainly is aimed at young believers wanting to strengthen their faith, and to learn why they believe what they believe and how to defend their faith, we by all means do not want to turn away those who have not yet professed faith in Jesus Christ. We do ask, if a student attends and is not a believer, that the parent(s) makes sure he or she is willingly attending (not being forced) and is open to the Christian faith to the extent necessary so that he or she will not become a distraction or obstacle to others attending.

Cost Questions

How much does it cost?

The registration cost for the 2025 conference will be $135/student. For families with multiple children attending, each sibling of the first student receives a $20 discount.

What if I cannot afford the full price?

Financial assistance is available on a need basis. Please speak to Pastor Cothran regarding assistance that you may need: 719-321-8565 (mobile) or todd@crosslife.church.

What is included in the cost?

Cost includes registration to attend all sessions, a conference notebook, a conference T-shirt, and other conference materials. It also includes daily snacks, hot coffee/tea, catered lunches (# TBD, but likely 2 of them in 2025), and the closing event (cookout).

I’m a parent/sibling and want a ThinkWell T-shirt. How can I get one?

We have additional T-shirts available for purchase! The extra 2025 shirts are $10 each. Please order them when registering your student(s), as we cannot guarantee your size will be available otherwise. Past conference shirts are $5 each (not all sizes available). Please call 434-973-9162 or send an email to info@thinkwellconference.org to request a shirt (mentioning the year and size). You can also stop by CrossLife to purchase one.

Registration Questions

How and when do I register?

Registration for the next conference will begin February 15, 2025. Be sure you’re signed up for ThinkWell email updates so you will be in the know about registration and other conference news.

Is there a registration deadline?

Registration closes 1 week before the conference starts or whenever we reach our maximum capacity (this will be 170 students in 2025).

What if I can’t or don’t want to register online?

Registering online is secure. However, if you strongly prefer to register by paper instead of online, you can do so. To request a hard-copy registration form, call 434-973-9162 or email info@thinkwellconference.org.

Are there any refunds?

A refund is available only in the case of an extenuating circumstance that prevents a student from attending after already registering. Please contact us at info@thinkwellconference.org if you need to request a refund.

What if a student cannot attend all days of the conference or needs to miss parts of it?

While we strongly urge that students attend every session all five days (along with the kick-off session on Sunday), we understand that there may be circumstances in which someone has to miss part of a day or a whole day (or more). The registration cost is the same regardless of whether a student attends all sessions/days or not.

After I register, then what?

You receive a pre-conference email shortly before the conference begins. That email will contain all you need to know before the kick-off event and beyond. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact conference coordinator Jenny Abel (619-517-8958) or Pastor Cothran (719-321-8565).

How can I find out who else is attending from my area so I can carpool or arrange transportation?

We do not offer transportation to the conference, but other families/attendees may be able to give you or your student a ride. If you desire to carpool, please contact us at info@thinkwellconference.org as soon as possible.