YOUTH 2023 to be Held in Daytona Beach, Florida | UMC YoungPeople
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September 2021

YOUTH 2023 to be Held in Daytona Beach, Florida

By Chris Wilterdink

UPDATE: The applications for the YOUTH 2023 Design Team are now closed. Thank you to those of you who applied! Please hold the review team in prayer as they go over the applications and make invitations to join the team.


The first YOUTH event for the youth of The United Methodist Church took place in 1988, and since the early 1990s Discipleship Ministries has organized the YOUTH event every four years. We are thrilled to share that this tradition will continue with YOUTH 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida, from July 25-28, 2023!

Over the past eighteen months, we have shared in the collective uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. That sense of uncertainty has been multiplied because of what some see as an uncertain future for our denomination. All the more reason to bring the spirit, energy, and resiliency of youth together in one place at the YOUTH event. We believe that the young people who come to YOUTH 2023 will set an example for the church itself – demonstrating how to come together in Christian fellowship and celebrate our shared call to grow as world changing disciples of Jesus Christ, no matter the obstacle. Consider this your invitation to be a part of that demonstration of the power of togetherness.

We have our dates and location, next up we'll be putting together the lineup of speakers and artists who will lead our world-class worship and workshop times. Registration will open in 2022 and we’ve got some great deals at our event hotel. Eventually, you will be able to apply for the Design Team and register for YOUTH 2023 from right here!

Our website and social media accounts will fill up as we create the lineup and schedule for YOUTH 2023. Please click the links below to sign up for our email list, connect with our social media accounts, and share about YOUTH 2023. You are crucial in helping us spread the word about YOUTH 2023!

YOUTH 2023 Important Details:

  • YOUTH 2023 will take place in Daytona Beach, Florida, from July 25-28 of 2023.
  • YOUTH 2023 is the national gathering for United Methodist youth in the United States and all are welcome.
  • YOUTH 2023 will be open to youth entering sixth grade through those graduating twelfth grade in 2023 and adult leaders of youth ministry.
  • The event is open to global participants. We will invite everyone and welcome ecumenical participation from denominations in the Methodist family tree.
  • YOUTH 2023 will worship and workshop at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center with rooming at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort (overflow rooming at The Plaza Resort and Spa if needed). Rooming reservations can be made when event registration opens, and we have secured reduced rates for these hotels.
  • We will continue to monitor and plan for extenuating circumstances related to General Conference and COVID-related delays or restrictions. YOUTH 2023 will happen as responsibly and as safely as possible. We waited as long as possible to make decisions about the YOUTH event while still leaving adequate time to prepare and organize.

YOUTH Event Timeline:

  • 1988: Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
  • 1991: University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
  • 1995: Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 1999: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • 2003: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • 2007: Joseph Coury Convention Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
  • 2011: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California
  • 2015: Marriott World Center, Orlando, Florida
  • 2019: Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, Missouri
  • 2023: Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida

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Chris serves as Director of Young People’s Ministries for Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Chris has a BA in English Education, and an MS in Project Management, and over 15 years of local-church youth ministry experience. He is passionate about leadership and faith development in young people and helping ministry leaders understand their value in the lives of young people. A Stephen Minister, Chris is a native of Colorado living in Franklin, TN with his wife Emily, 2 children, and sausage-shaped beagle.