North American Youth Congress

North American Youth Congress (or NAYC) is a biennial event held by the Youth Ministries division of the United Pentecostal Church International, occurring every other year since 1979. The event has been described as one of the largest gathering of Christian youth in the U.S. and is held in different cities around the country each year. For the most recent in-person meeting in 2019, there was a record attendance of over 36,000 youth and young adults.[1]

North American Youth Congress 2019 during the Friday evening service on August 2, 2019, at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, MO.

Overview

Being the largest event hosted by the United Pentecostal Church International, NAYC is considered the "premier youth conference" of the UPCI.[2] It is intended mainly for youth and young adults, aimed at students ages 12 to 25.[3][4][5] At the event, students attend various breakout sessions and nightly services, as well as participate in networking, fellowship, and community service over the course of three days.[1][6] Additionally, attendees participate in a program known as "Serve Day" (formerly Project 22:39[3]) where students help serve the nearby communities.[7][8]

History

NAYC was launched in 1979 and has traveled to various cities around the U.S. every year, starting in Memphis, TN, with the most recent being in St. Louis, MO. The event has grown over recent years, with the 2019 edition being described by multiple outlets as "one of the largest Christian youth events in the country."[9][10]

Past Locations[11]
Year Location
1979Memphis, TN
1981Shreveport, LA
1983Indianapolis, IN
1985Tulsa, OK
1987Cincinnati, OH
1989Memphis, TN
1991Kansas City, MO
1993Indianapolis, IN
1995Little Rock, AR
1997Nashville, TN
1999Indianapolis, IN
2001Atlanta, GA
2003Nashville, TN
2005Columbus, OH
2007Charlotte, NC
2009Nashville, TN
2011Columbus, OH
2013Louisville, KY
2015Oklahoma City, OK
2017Indianapolis, IN
2019St. Louis, MO
2021Online (COVID-19)[12]

2015

In 2015, NAYC was held at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. The event drew over 22,000 young people and was the first to be sold out in NAYC history. Overflow seating was provided in the neighboring Cox Convention Center.[8][13]

2017
UPCI Youth Ministries Twitter
@UPCIYouthMin

NAYC 2017 announces the need for the first time of a football stadium - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN!! #NSYC15 #NAYC17

7 August 2015[14]

NAYC 2017 was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.[15] This was the first year that NAYC had been held in a football stadium, and the event was attended by over 34,000 youth and young adults.[7]

2019

Held at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, MO, NAYC 2019 was the largest to date, with around 37,000 young people attending.[1][10] During the event's "Serve Day," attendees filled 2,000 buckets worth $75 each to assist with disaster relief in the area.[3]

2021

In 2021, NAYC was once again scheduled to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN but was canceled as an in-person event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][16] As of 2023, the livestream of the online event has gained over 24,000 views on YouTube and 78,000 views on Facebook.[17][18]

2023

NAYC 2023 is scheduled to be held from July 26 to July 28, 2023, in St. Louis, MO at The Dome at America's Center with split sessions at the St. Louis Convention Center.[19] In a statement, the UPCI announced that over 30,000 people had registered for the event since March 10, putting NAYC 2023 "on pace to once again be the largest in the event’s history."[2]

See also

References
  1. Parke, Caleb (16 August 2019). "Over 36,000 Christian students help serve disaster victims at youth conference". Fox News. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. UPCI Communications (3 April 2023). "More than 30,000 already registered for NAYC 2023". UPCI. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  3. Lea, Jessica (2 August 2019). "37,000 People at NAYC Help with Disaster Relief". Church Leaders. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  4. "North American Youth Congress". UPCI Youth Ministries. UPCI. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  5. "North American Youth Congress". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  6. "Hometown Hero Josh Carson". Explore St. Louis. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  7. "Pentecostal students to pack America's Center, disaster relief supplies". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  8. Staff Reports (1 August 2015). "Pentecostal youth congress expected to draw more than 22K to downtown Oklahoma City". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  9. Warren, Steve (2 August 2019). "Here's How One of the Largest Christian Youth Events in the US is Celebrating 'Serve Day'". CBN News. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  10. Faust, Vic (1 August 2019). "Large Christian youth conference leaving behind something good for St. Louis". Fox 2 Now. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  11. "North American Youth Congress 2019 Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  12. Liles, Jordan (28 August 2021). "Viral 'NAYC21' Facebook Post About Christian Event Lacked Context". Snopes. Retrieved 31 January 2023. And in 2021, the in-person portion of the gathering was canceled due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
  13. Journal Record Staff (27 July 2015). "22,000 to attend NAYC in OKC". The Journal Record. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  14. UPCI Youth Ministries [@UPCIYouthMin] (7 August 2015). "NAYC 2017 announces the need for the first time of a football stadium - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN!! #NSYC15 #NAYC17" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. Harry, LJ (27 January 2017). "Interview With NAYC Speakers: Michael Ensey". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  16. Admin (2 August 2019). "NAYC 2019 Friday Night Service". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  17. UPCI Youth Ministries (30 July 2021). "NAYC21 Online Service". youtube.com. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  18. UPCI Youth Ministries (30 July 2021). "NAYC21 Online Service". facebook.com. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  19. "#NAYC23 FAQ's". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
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