National Older Adult Conference (NOAC)

September 1-5, 2025
Lake Junaluska, NC

NOAC is a Spirit-filled gathering of adults 50 and older who love learning and discerning together, exploring God’s call for their lives and living out that call by sharing their energy, insight, and legacy with their families, communities, and the world.

“Alive in the Spirit!”

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
—Romans 15:13 (NRSV)

Theme Statement

            As the Apostle Paul came to the end of his letter to the Christians living in Rome, he shared his hopes for them. He knew they were strong, if imperfect, followers of Jesus Christ. He knew the church communities had their ups and downs. He knew life was hard for Christians. He also knew that they didn’t have to handle life alone. His hope for them was in the power of God which would bring joy and peace. The fuel of their faith was the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

            We too are called to be “Alive in the Spirit!” We too are called to claim the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit which empowers everything we do. When we are alive in the Spirit we live with hope, with gratitude, with power, and with joy. Our world needs to experience the transforming love of God. Let’s welcome the wind and the fire of the Holy Spirit into our lives and into our Church so that we may truly be alive in the Spirit.

Planning team

Heidi Berkenbosch, Deanna Brown, Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, Leonard Matheny, Don Mitchell, Karlene Tyler, Christy Waltersdorff, coordinator

For questions, please contact noac@brethren.org.

Related News

  • ‘Alive in the Spirit!’ is theme for next National Older Adult Conference

    The planning team for the next National Older Adult Conference (NOAC), to be held Sept. 1-5, 2025, at Lake Junaluska, N.C., has announced the theme for the event: “Alive in the Spirit!”

  • Brethren bits for Oct. 19, 2023

    In this issue: Special group photos from NOAC, job opening, webinar recording from Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church, latest GFI newsletter, Christian Churches Together reporting, Elizabethtown College 125th anniversary in 2024, several releases and statements on Israel and Palestine from ecumenical partner organizations, and a prayer for peace.

  • ‘We came to serve, but instead they served us’

    The NOAC Planning Team took great pains not only to create opportunities for service projects, but to check back and make sure everything would be prepared. However, as can be the case, real life happened. The person at the Haywood Street church who had been in contact with NOAC planners had suddenly taken sick, and those filling in for them had no idea that 15 people were scheduled to arrive for a service project.

  • Today at NOAC 2023 – Friday, Sept. 8 – “God Is Doing a New Thing”

    Today at NOAC 2023 – Friday, Sept. 8 – “God Is Doing a New Thing”

  • Today at NOAC 2023 – Thursday, Sept. 7 – “…What God Will Do”

    Today at NOAC 2023 – Thursday, Sept. 7 – “…What God Will Do”

  • Up early for a good walk, and a good cause

    For those like myself, who are accustomed at NOAC to looking out through the window in the direction of the lake and seeing nothing but grey fog, it is a surprise to learn that before it is properly dawn there is a clear sky. Walking along the lakefront on the Rose Path, it was good to look up and see the cross shining brightly on the hill