A Glimpse Into the Future of Youth Ministry in the UMC: National Young People’s Ministry Annual Gathering Report

The National Young People’s Ministry annual gathering took place this past week in Chelmsford, MA, bringing together around 30 youth ministry leaders from annual conferences across the United States. Among the attendees were Jordan Littrell, Director of Intergenerational Ministries at Grace UMC in Mt. Juliet, TN, and Ryan Willette, Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Springfield First UMC in Springfield, TN. Both serve on the Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Youth Ministry Operations Team.

Hosted by the Northeastern Jurisdiction, this year’s gathering provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices for supporting youth ministry in a post-pandemic and post-disaffiliation United Methodist Church. While the structured agenda focused on practical discussions, the underlying spirit of the gathering was one of enthusiasm and optimism for the future of ministry with young people in the UMC.

Ryan Willette reflected on the importance of connection. “For me, what we are doing well right now is the connections we have helped establish between youth workers, especially within districts. What I learned this week is that the future of effective and sustainable youth ministry is going to rely on collaborative ministry in creative ways, which was fantastic to hear, and really encouraging just to do more of that.”

Throughout the week, discussions were structured around the themes of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” These themes invited participants to evaluate their practices, consider what might need to change in order to be more effective, while also celebrating the ideas that are working well in different regions, and finding encouragement in addressing challenges.

One of the most uplifting aspects of the gathering was the atmosphere of hope and support. Jordan shared, “This week has been a powerful reminder of the strength we find in our connectional church. By leaning into these connections, we are better equipped to support one another and live out our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I’m leaving this gathering inspired by the hope and optimism we all share for the future of youth ministry in the UMC.”

Looking ahead, excitement is already building for the upcoming TWK youth ministry winter event, which will be held in two different locations on different weekends: February 21-22, 2025, at Cedar Crest Camp and February 28-March 2, 2025, at Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center. The theme for this year’s event is “UNITED” which aims to bring youth from across the conference together for a time of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth. Registration is already open, and space will be limited so groups can reserve space with a $10/person deposit.

As the week of meetings drew to a close, there was a shared sense of purpose among the attendees. The future of youth ministry in the UMC is bright, and the connections forged at this gathering will help sustain and strengthen ministries throughout our connection in the years to come.