{"id":26671,"date":"2026-02-20T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26671"},"modified":"2026-02-20T23:21:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:21:59","slug":"worship-at-national-youth-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/worship-at-national-youth-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship at National Youth Conference 2026: A sacred space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Rachel Johnson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worship is an essential component of the National Youth Conference (NYC) experience. It is the one time where everyone is gathered together during the week. Read on to learn a bit of what to expect during worship at NYC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worship at NYC is a sacred space.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruesch Auditorium (where worship will take place) is hallowed ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a place where we metaphorically \u201cremove our sandals\u201d (Exodus 3:5) as we enter, in expectation that we will experience God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twice a day\u2014morning and evening\u2014we pause from the busyness of the day\u2019s schedule to gather together in worship. Our quick pace slows and our focus sharpens. Song, prayer, scripture, messages from our speakers, drama, and video are all components of our worship. Sometimes we\u2019ll shout, dance, and leap for joy! Sometimes we\u2019ll laugh; sometimes we\u2019ll cry. Sometimes we\u2019ll sit in holy silence. But we journey together, with Christ as the focus of our worship and as the guide for our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of us enters this space bringing along different backgrounds, thoughts, experiences, and beliefs. You may hear from speakers who share the same thoughts and experiences as you. You may also hear from speakers who bring a new perspective to a familiar story or hold a different viewpoint. Yet in this space we come together as a community of believers with the desire to learn more about our faith and how we want to live out our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are invited to this space, to this moment\u2014to worship, to reflect, to imagine, and to be part of a community. Come with an openness to the Spirit; allowing the Spirit to work in you and through you so that together we can share the Light Within Us with those around us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The National Youth Cabinet in the worship hall for National Youth Conference 2026, which takes place at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., on July 18-23. For more information and to register, go to www.brethren.org\/nyc. (Photos by Rachel Johnson)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Hear from past NYC participants about their worship experience!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOverall, worships were amazing! I loved the speakers, the music, the length, and everything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorship always lifted my spirit and it was so joyful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBest services I’ve ever experienced to this point in my life. One of the biggest reasons I’m going to miss being at NYC.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Quotes are from NYC 2022 evaluations)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During NYC worship, we look forward to youth participation. One of the ways youth can participate is by submitting Youth Worship Elements to be used during worship services. Youth have the option to read their writings themselves or have someone read on their behalf. Visit www.brethren.org\/worship-themes<\/a> for inspiration and www.brethren.org\/nyc<\/a> for the link to submit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYC worship speakers can be found at www.brethren.org\/nyc\/leadership<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about other parts of NYC at www.brethren.org\/nyc\/about\/what-is-nyc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions? Contact Rachel Johnson at RJohnson@brethren.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Rachel Johnson is the coordinator of National Youth Conference 2026, serving as a Brethren Volunteer Service worker.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n