It may be the end of NYC, but it's just the beginning of God's good plans.

In the final session of NYC 2026, Session 7: Imagine, Shane Lima invited us to think of the end of NYC not as an ending, but as the beginning of living a new life as God's chosen people, having received holiness from God to then live in the world and share it as the light of the world and the salt of the earth.  He encouraged us to go back to our churches, our districts, and our schools without fear or hesitation because God doesn't leave us hanging.

We finished the session by receiving communion altogether, celebrating those who were called, gave their life to Christ, or just experienced God in a new way and then worshipping one more time with one heart before heading our separate ways to debrief as family groups, eat lunch, and do some souvenir shopping.

In the evening, our group took in a Salt Lake City Bees minor-league game and enjoyed some relaxation and connection time at the field before returning to the hotel for our earliest bedtime yet!  The evening had some hiccups, including a bus with poor AC, traveling to the wrong address, and the bus accidentally running into a sign, which shattered a back window, but it was still a very enjoyable evening!

A 4th of July Like No Other

Our day began with Session 5: Belong.  Allison Springer brought us the Word with a sermon titled "Operation One Flock."  She guided us through what she called the preparation for landing where we come down off this spiritual high not in a crash but by applying what we've learned wherever we go.  Allison used John 10:11-6 to explain our need for each other as one flock (STAY LOCKED).  We partner with light to drive out darkness which tries to isolate and scatter.  Where the devil isolates, Jesus gathers; where the devil steals life, Jesus gives abundant life; where the devil attacks the sheep, Jesus lays down His life for the sheep.  We must not isolate, but stay connected to community.

After the session, we were dismissed for MWO (Ministry With Others).  We gathered on buses and made our way to a church where we received some orientation and then split up into family groups for prayer walking.  Family groups walked and prayed over the homes, families, students, schools, businesses, and more in the Salt Lake City area.  Students took on different roles as they primarily led this activity together.  After prayer walking, we returned to the church to pack crisis care kits in partnership with Convoy of Hope.  Each district brought items with them to NYC, and together, we packed hundreds of boxes filled with dozens of hygiene care kits that will be delivered where needed during times of disaster.  This is such a key part of NYC where students don't just passively receive information or entertainment, but engage in actually living out the Gospel by serving and praying for others.

After MWO, we headed to Session 6: Pursue.  The message for our penultimate session was brought to us by General Superintendent Dr. Gustavo Crocker.  He brought us "Christmas in July" as he preached about the Christmas story in Luke 1:26-38.  Dr. Crocker reminded us that like Mary and the manger, we are highly favored and chosen and can be transformed even though we may consider ourselves ordinary and unlikely.  As the manger became a waypoint for finding the Savior, so can we.  The pursuit happens by just saying "here I am."  God does not come because we are able; He comes because we are available.

After the session, Elevation Rhythm performed an incredible concert that really just felt like an extended time of worship.  The energy was electric as our students gave themselves over in complete surrender, praising the Lord with everything they had!

The Good Potter, Holiness, and Recreation

Today started with NYC session 3: Form.  Kelvin Crosby (AKA the DeafBlind potter) brought a message of encouragement for us as he formed a beautiful piece of pottery right in front of our eyes and shared his testimony.  He described how God as the Good Potter forms us in the hard things as we open ourselves up to God and remain centered in God's hands.  We were reminded the three fundamental pieces of the Christian walk are worship, reading our Bibles, and prayer.

After session 3, we got to enjoy several hours in the Rec Hall, which had college booths, board games, creative stations, bull-riding, inflatables, "ice-skating," pickleball, basketball, football, dodgeball, volleyball, corn hole, 9-square, pingpong, arcade games, and more!  The youth leaders also got to enjoy a restful space with free coffee!!

In the evening, we attended session 4: Awaken.  Eric Samuel Timm shared a message of holiness and sanctification with us, reminding us that the mountaintop moment of NYC is preparation for life in the valley.  He called us to sync our heartbeat with God's as we are reminded how we and God are alive in the ups and downs of life.  Eric painted an incredible picture during worship and then spun the painting upside down to reveal the connection between the mountain and valley.

Finally, we enjoyed an incredible concert from Josiah Queen before traveling back to the hotel for a late-night bedtime.

Worship in Wonder!

Yesterday began our first day of NYC sessions.  The first session was all about "Wonder," which is also the overarching theme of the whole week.  There was even a postcard with a handwritten letter of prayer on each seat in the arena.  Worship through song was an incredible experience as we witnessed thousands gathered to praise God, singing of God's holiness.  We were asked to ponder two questions: "Who is Jesus?" and "Who is Jesus to me?"  The message centered on Colossians 1:15-23 and how Jesus reveals to us the true nature of God.  Jesus is God, Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.  Yet knowing about God is not the same as knowing God personally, and we were encouraged to see the beauty of God's creation not just in the wider universe but within ourselves, too, as image-bearers.

After Session 1, we grabbed lunch and then got to navigate something called "The Experience."  Modeled like a hike up a mountain, we got to explore different stations of prayer and activity at our own pace.  One station invited participants to write something down that's holding us back from experiencing the wonder of God and then let it go in the water and watch it dissolve.  Another station asked us to write down where we see the splendor of God on colored pieces of tape and together we are creating a mosaic on the windows.  A third station was a place of quiet where we gathered around a fake fire and read truths about God and us as they appeared on the wall.  After the Experience, we got a chance to debrief with others in our group.

Rec Room

Session 2: Ascend

Hulvey Concert

First full day in SLC down!

Today was a day of settling into routines, developing friendships, and getting a taste of just how big the Church of the Nazarene US/Canada region really is!

We started with breakfast with our family groups and got to explore the city a little bit with each group walking to a different breakfast spot.  Some enjoyed traditional breakfasts while others experienced a place where anything and everything was put on a waffle!

After breakfast, we got back together to gather our "Bring With" supplies for packing care kits later this week and headed over to the convention center to check in for the conference.  We were greeted by dozens of excited volunteers and staff and even met a few familiar faces.  Each participant received a unique "Wonder Bag" filled with goodies!

After checking in, we gathered again in family groups for a photo scavenger hunt and lunch.  Teams got varying points for taking selfies with items that matched their family color, other districts attending NYC, certain SLC landmarks and art, or silly/awkward family photos.  Everyone got really into it and one of the things consistently mentioned as the best part was getting to interact with teens from other districts.  We even ran into a wild Pickle Terry (Connor from Trevecca)!  Family groups are really starting to mesh now and we're figuring out our routines and finding grace for each other when things get a little difficult.

Our evening activities consisted of a field event that included districts from all over the country that all gathered at an outdoor center with rollerskating, yard games, photo booth, rock wall climbing, arcade, and live band from Trevecca (some of the same crew that led worship at Brooktondale camp last summer!).  Everyone was given free vouchers for snacks, drinks, and desserts, and Chick-Fil-A handed out free chicken sandwiches.  Thousands of teens enjoyed hours of entertainment before a sleepy ride back to the hotel and quickly settling into rooms.  Tomorrow begins our first sessions of the Conference and we're full of anticipation for how God will speak to our teens!!

Let the sleep deprivation begin!

Our group of six Life Churchers began the trek to Salt Lake City with a heartfelt goodbye and started the journey with a noisy car ride to Calvary Community in Rochester.

Then we spent the evening playing 9-square, catching up with friends, collecting awesome t-shirts and other swag, and preparing for the trip.  Ninety-one teens and adults gathered in preparation to fly out early the next morning.  We settled in for a couple of short hours of sleep before boarding buses to the airport at 3am. The teens were less than enthused but still managed to find "Wonder" in the ordinary moments!

Praise God for safe and smooth air travel from Rochester to Chicago and finally on to Salt Lake City!  We were excited to see the mountains and the salt flats from the air!

In Salt Lake City, we got settled in our hotel, did a little bit of exploring, and found the convention center.  A long day of traveling after little sleep has us all feeling a little loopy, but we are grateful to be here and excited for what is ahead!

Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) is an incredible event for students across the US and Canada.  It's been happening every four years for decades and has changed thousands and thousands of lives over the years.  I had the opportunity to attend as a student in 2007 when it was held in St. Louis, Missouri.  I can remember what an incredible experience it was to lift my voice in worship surrounded by thousands of other teens in one arena.  It was unlike anything else I had ever experienced.  I've experienced many ups and downs since that week almost 20 years ago, but I firmly believe that there were seeds planted in my heart and mind all those years ago that have been cultivated into spiritual maturity over time.

NYC is not some magical event that suddenly turns students into super-Christians (as if there was such a thing), but it is an incredible opportunity for growth, connection, and serving that has consistently shown to yield transformational results in individuals, youth groups, churches, families, schools, and communities.

As I think about this upcoming event and each of the teens from Life Church who is attending, I wonder.

I wonder what God will speak to each of these students.
I wonder how God will inspire the next generation of faithful followers of Christ.
I wonder what my role will look like in partnering with the Holy Spirit to cultivate the spiritual seeds that will be planted.
I wonder how my life will be changed by this encounter with God.

I wonder... will you wonder with me?