Register Kids Today for Commissioning Youth Conference 2026

Anticipation is growing for Commissioning 2026, taking place from June 5-7 at the Atlanta Temple Corps under the banner of “Loving Like Jesus.” This focus continues the year-long theme of LOVE, and 1 John 4:11-12 sets the backdrop as the central passage of scripture for what promises to be a meaningful weekend of worship, fellowship, and education: “My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us — perfect love!”

The weekend features four general sessions. Friday evening’s opening session will center on witnessing the love of Jesus. Saturday morning’s session has a focus on experiencing the love of Jesus. Saturday evening’s focal point is sharing the love of Jesus. Finally, Sunday morning’s service includes the ordination and commissioning of the Keepers of the Covenant session of cadets as they become the newest officers of The Salvation Army.

At the same time, dedicated youth activities will take place elsewhere on the property, including childcare for youth ages 6 months through 4 years. Young people ages 5-12 will come together for a Youth Conference under the theme “Galaxy Quest: Searching for God’s Truth.” That theme also mirrors the territorial Vacation Bible School offering for 2026, adapting the five-day VBS curriculum into a multi-session program for Commissioning Weekend.

“By using this VBS curriculum, we really want to be able to share Bible stories with kids in an effective way,” says Melissa Powell, territorial children’s ministries coordinator. “The ones that maybe we grew up with and that we may know, like the story of Jonah and the whale or the story of Abraham, but a lot of our kids just don’t know those stories anymore. We are intentionally going back to the basics of discipleship and being able to share that biblical truth with kids from the very beginning, getting the stories in their hands and in their minds.”

Powell shares that the territorial youth department is focusing on biblical literacy throughout the year, which fits nicely into the Commissioning focus. “Overall, Commissioning aims to be a very focused, intentional discipleship weekend, not just for adults that are in the general sessions, but we also want to be able to pour into kids,” Powell continues.

On Saturday evening, the youth will be treated to a visit and special program: Aurora Children’s Playhouse presents Science in Space LIVE! This will feature a scientific focus, hands-on learning, and an entertaining time for all. As with the weekend’s progression for the adults next door, the Youth Conference will conclude with a Jr. Commissioning on Sunday morning that Powell describes as a “focused time of prayer and a sending out of the young people” back to their communities.

“We’re talking about how God sent a savior on Sunday morning,” Powell says. “And how we can then be sent out to the places that we live and serve in to share the love of Jesus with our people in an intentional way.”

Registration for Commissioning Weekend 2026 is now open. Pre-registration is specifically required for youth activities, with the deadline for Youth Conference and Childcare registration set for Friday, May 29, 2026. Doors for the Youth Conference will open 45 minutes prior to each general session and close 15 minutes after each general session concludes, with parents encouraged to promptly pick up their children.

For more information about Commissioning 2026 and to register for the weekend, visit usscommissioning.org