Just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, amid swirling gusts of an early autumn wind, the Holy Spirit was aflame as more than 700 enthusiastic youth, adult leaders and event staff converged on the sprawling Wildwood Convention Center from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The weekend IGNITE 2022 Youth Rally welcomed them from across the host Greater New Jersey Conference and the Eastern PA, New York and Upper New York conferences.

Reminiscent of the cultural diversity that welcomed the Holy Spirit’s first arrival at Pentecost, the gathering was for many just as inspiring and perhaps just as transformative in its impact on their lives. They came together in communal worship and witness, uplifted by heart-stirring music and messages, prayer and praise, informative workshops and meaningful conversations, vivid imagery, and lively, fun-filled activities.

All that they witnessed in sight and sound was designed to stretch their minds, move their hearts and deepen their understanding of the main message: that God’s power and love are Limitless—the rally’s one-word theme—and that God’s power and love are alive inside of them.  

IGNITE returned to Wildwood for the first time since 2019. Caasi Grove, one of several youth leaders from Eastern PA, brought  seven members from Hopewell UMC in Downingtown. He said they would likely return with more youth in the future. He attended a creative ideas workshop for youth ministry leaders, taught by the Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean, a professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Jezerel Gutierrez and Amy Smith brought six youth, including five new members of EPA’s Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM), along with former CCYM President Jose Tirado.  

Adrian Andrew, from New Life UMC in Drexel Hill, enjoyed seeing the multitude of so many young people “in church.” The favorite part for Aixa Preston from New Creation UMC in Lancaster were the speakers, especially keynoter Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World and The Bread Institute. “It was nice hearing that our worth in the eyes of God never diminishes,” she said. “Sometimes we teenagers need to be told this again and again.” 

Jose Tirado responded with excited “Amens” to Aqueelah Ligonde, an enthusiastic young pastor and youth ministries leader—especially her narration of the final battle scenes in the Marvel Avengers film “End Game.” She interpreted those scenes as an allegory of how Christians are like a heroic squad or family that shows up to fight for one another when things are tough. 

Ligonde also invited the youth to pray with and for their youth leaders and pastors in a Saturday night altar call at the stage front. And then she reversed their roles, creating a compelling, dual-intercessory prayer time.

An eclectic menu of Christian musicians also inspired and entertained attendees with multi-genre rhythms and passionate, inspirational lyrics.

Meanwhile, two of EPA’s Camp & Retreat Ministry center directors, Apryl Miller of Gretna Glen and Carmen O’Shea of Pocono Plateau, met rally attendees at their busy display table and invited them to visit EPA’s camps. They were invited by Bishop John Schol, who served Communion to the gathering to close the rally on Sunday morning.