International Youth Congress 2027: Empowering a Generation
Next summer, 2,500 young adults from around the globe will gather in Jakarta, Indonesia under the banner of Empowering a Generation. Inspired by the General’s Compass focus on Empowering People, the International Youth Congress, July 15-20, 2027, will give young Salvationists the opportunity to worship and learn together. The Salvation Army has been empowering young people for ministry since its earliest days, and this gathering continues that tradition, making space for young adults to explore the gifts with which He has equipped them and to discover how He may be leading them to serve.
When Barna researchers began studying GenZ (young people born between 1996-2012) as they entered their teenage years, there was significant concern about the clear movement away from a traditional Christian worldview, especially when compared to Millennials, just a generation before them. However, despite the fear surrounding those reports, and perhaps because of the intentional ministry it ignited, GenZ has continued to surprise the world. New research now indicates that, just under a decade later, GenZ has shown a significant increase in commitment to Jesus, surpassing the Boomers and GenXers whose statistics have remained mostly stagnant. In his response to this research, Barna CEO David Kinnaman encourages the Church “to celebrate and to steward” this generation. “…Christians should be encouraged to hold greater confidence in the gospel and to meet this significant opportunity by cultivating deep-rooted discipleship.”
The Southern Territory is rising to this challenge and is committed to journeying with our young people in the pursuit of that discipleship. In keeping with that commitment, we have pledged to invest in 31 young people, making it possible for them to attend the International Youth Congress in a way that is affordable to both the young person and to their local Salvation Army corps. While we are asking that delegates cover the $200 registration fee, the territory has committed to covering the cost of travel from Atlanta to Indonesia, making this attainable for our young people who are dedicated to growing in faith and in service.
In a prayer gathering to celebrate the launching of this event, General Lyndon Buckingham said, “As we continue to seek His guidance, His wisdom, and His blessing, as we plan, as we pray, as we engage, then I think as a global Army there can be within our hearts a sense of expectation that something groundbreaking, ground-shifting, movement-moving is going to happen as a result of our commitment to this event.” May it be so.
