Belonging 2025 is not just for adults!
Programming and activities for youth are an integral part of the conference and congress. Register your whole family for a week of intentional ministry with tracks geared specifically for infants to teenagers in addition to the adult workshops and sessions.
“The youth priority is about building relationships and bringing youth to Christ,” said Captain Michael Hanton, territorial youth secretary. “Belonging gives us the opportunity for intentional discipleship.”
During the Belonging Conference, Tuesday evening through Friday afternoon, exciting activities are planned for children age 12 and under. Each day, the territorial youth department, with the assistance of select staff from the divisional camps, will provide engaging on-site activities and play for ages 5 and under. Youth, ages 6 through 12, will enjoy supervised field trips to local attractions including a museum, the zoo and Army Lake Camp.
Teenagers, ages 13–17, will find workshops geared just for them. Led by Taylor Senak, territorial director of Christian education and discipleship, with assistance from the North & Central Illinois Division’s youth department, workshops will include a lesson, discussion, practical application and fun activities. According to Captain Michael, the goal is to provide not just a place to hang out while parents are engaged in workshops, but to use that time to build relationships with young people.
“With the theme of belonging, we’re going to focus on understanding what it means to be a citizen of God’s Kingdom, what that looks like in their life and how to live it out,” said Taylor. “But we’re not just going to sit. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Kids’ Congress, designed for children age 12 and under, will commence on Friday evening and continue during each general session through Sunday morning. More than just childcare, Kids’ Congress is being carefully planned by the territorial youth department in partnership with volunteer youth leaders from around the territory, as well as other ministry groups.
“We want the youth to experience the same things that the rest of the Congress is experiencing—community and belonging—as they come together,” said Captain Michael. “This is their Congress too, and we want them there.”
Alongside territorial and divisional youth department staff, more than 40 Salvationist volunteer leaders will provide a safe and comfortable environment for the young delegates. Children, age 5 and under, will engage in age-appropriate worship, play and activities with divisional staff leading each group. A specialized youth ministry group will lead worship services for kids, ages 6–12, for part of each session, including music and messages aligning with the theme of belonging. The remaining time will be filled with volunteer-led small group activities like games, crafts and discussion about the message.
“At Kids’ Congress we want to give an overall sense not only that we belong together in fellowship with each other but also that we belong to Christ,” said Captain Michael. “That’s why we come together.”
