More than 10,000 students and volunteers gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, for Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) 2026, held at Salt Palace Convention Center, 2-5 July 2026. Centered on the theme “Wonder,” the four-day conference encouraged young people to reflect on the wonders of God, his creation, and their role in his kingdom.
“It really was an incredible week of worship, discipleship, and service in Salt Lake City as we lifted up Jesus and centered high school students,” said Justin Pickard, USA/Canada Region NYI youth coordinator. “The power and presence of God was evident as we witnessed lives transformed with thousands of students surrendering to become more like Christ and hundreds more responding to a call to ministry. Our theme verse NYC26 Wonder — Psalm 65:8 — really came to life.”
One unique experience for 2026 was “The World’s Biggest Prayer Walk.” Teens in groups of 10-20 spread across 77 neighborhoods throughout Salt Lake City and the surrounding area, praying over each neighborhood while covering an estimated 22,000 miles.
Seven speakers brought the message each morning and night. Katie Rose Weissend, worship arts pastor at Olathe College Church of the Nazarene, led the NYC worship team.
Gerald Fadayomi, pastor of Home Church in Roswell, Georgia, and Gabriela Rodriguez, lead pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, spoke during the Thursday Morning and Thursday night sessions, respectively. Fadayomi delivered a message on “Wonder,” while Rodriguez’s message was titled “Ascend.”
On Friday Morning, Kelvin Crosby, the DeafBlind Potter, shared a powerful demonstration and message about God as the Master Potter, who formed everyone in his image. Eric Samuel Timm, speaker and author, spoke on Friday night on the topic “Awaken.”
Alison Springer spoke on Saturday morning on the topic “Belonging,” while General Superintendent Gustavo Crocker spoke on Saturday night on the topic “Pursue.”
“When the Holy Spirit takes control of you and me, he transforms the ordinary into extraordinary,” Crocker said.
Shane Lima, lead pastor of Ambassadors Church of the Nazarene in Rhode Island, closed the conference on Sunday morning with a sermon on “Imagine,” leaning into the Church of the Nazarene’s Wesleyan-Holiness roots and inviting students to imagine the future.
“The future is bright,” Lima said, “because this generation belongs to the Lord.”
Each night after service, students enjoyed concerts. Hulvey performed on Thursday and Josiah Queen performed on Friday. And on Saturday night, students worshiped with Elevation Rhythm.
When not attending services, students were able to hang out in the Rec Hall, go through The Experience (a guided prayer room) and participate in Ministry with Others, a missions project during which students packed crisis care kits.
NYC has taken place every four years across a large part of the North American continent, bringing together youth from every corner of the USA/Canada Region for a time of teaching, worship, and community service.
Currently, NYC follows a triennial schedule that began in 2023 to avoid coinciding with General Assembly and the USA/Canada Regional Conference. NYC 2029, in Houston, Texas, will complete that schedule shift.
For highlights, visit nazareneyouthconferenc.com.