Young People’s Ministry

Young People's Ministry in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference creates pathways for youth (grades 6-12) and young adults (ages 18-35) to encounter God, grow in discipleship, and discover their calling. Through collaborative events, leadership development, and congregational support, we're cultivating the next generation of United Methodist leaders.

As stated in The Book of Discipline (¶256): "The church recognizes the importance of ministry with youth and young adults and commits itself to nurture young people in faith, justice, service, and leadership." We live out this commitment by equipping local churches, connecting young people across our conference, and providing opportunities for spiritual growth and missional engagement.

OUR APPROACH

We believe that:

Young people are leaders of the church TODAY
Collaborative ministry reaches more young people than any single church can alone
Authentic relationships and intergenerational connections are essential to faith formation
Every young person has gifts to offer and a calling to discover

CONNECTIONAL LEADERSHIP

EPA Youth and Young Adult Council

The EPA Youth and Young Adult Council provides essential grassroots leadership for youth and young adult ministry across Eastern Pennsylvania. This diverse group of young people and youth leaders from across the conference:

Discerns God's vision for youth and young adult ministry in EPA
Provides input on conference-level programming and initiatives
Represents the needs and perspectives of local churches
Develops and leads ministry initiatives tailored to EPA's context
Connects with young people and youth leaders throughout the conference

The Council meets regularly to pray, plan, and work together toward a vibrant future for young people's ministry in EPA. If you're interested in getting involved or want to nominate a young leader, contact Eric Drew at edrew@epagnj.org.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE EVENTS

Camping & Retreat Ministry

Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center provides year-round opportunities for young people to experience God in creation, build lasting friendships, and grow in faith.

Youth Nights: Monthly gatherings for middle and high school students featuring worship, games, teaching, and community (September-May)

Summer Camps: Week-long resident camps offering adventure, spiritual formation, and fun in a Christian community

Confirmation Retreats: Weekend retreats designed specifically for confirmation classes to explore faith together

Gretna Glen Camp Link: https://gretnaglen.org/

Camp Innabah Link: https://www.innabah.org/

Pocono Plateau Link: https://www.poconoplateau.org/

Carson Simpson Farm Link: https://www.csfarm.org/

IGNITE Conference

IGNITE is our flagship annual youth conference, bringing together 1,500+ students from grades 6-12 for a weekend of high-energy worship, inspiring messages, small group connections, and hands-on service opportunities.

When: October (Wildwood, NJ) and February/March (Ocean City, MD) Who: Students grades 6-12 and their adult leaders What to Expect: Dynamic worship with top Christian artists, powerful speakers, engaging workshops, mission opportunities, and authentic community

IGNITE creates space for young people to encounter God, be seen and valued, and discover their place in God's story. Many young people point to IGNITE as a transformative experience in their faith journey.

Learn More about IGNITE

RESOURCES FOR LOCAL CHURCHES

Discipleship Calendar

Our annual Discipleship Calendar maps out all EPA young people's ministry events, providing churches with a clear planning tool for the year. The calendar includes:

IGNITE Conference dates
Youth Nights at Gretna Glen and Carson Simpson Camp
Confirmation retreat weekends
Collaborative youth events
District and regional gatherings

Download Discipleship Calendar

Monthly Youth Leader Calls

Connect with other youth leaders across EPA on the second Monday evening and Friday noon of each month. These Zoom gatherings provide:

Updates on upcoming events and opportunities
Practical ministry tips and resources
Peer connection and encouragement
Space to ask questions and share ideas

Zoom Link: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/6829570524

Newsletter & Resources

Stay connected with young people's ministry across EPA through our monthly newsletter featuring:

Stories of young people leading in congregations
Upcoming events and registration information
Ministry resources and practical tips
Opportunities for involvement and leadership

Sign up for the monthly newsletter to stay connected!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS

We're developing expanded ministry with young adults (ages 18-35) including:

Young adult representation on conference boards and agencies
Leadership roles at IGNITE and other conference events
Cultivate internship opportunities for college students
Connections to broader United Methodist young adult networks

CONNECTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

EPA young people have access to United Methodist ministry beyond our conference:

NEJ Mission of Peace: Regional mission and service opportunities
Global Young People's Convocation: Quadrennial international gathering in Dublin, Ireland (July 2026)
General church leadership opportunities