From October 9–11, young people from across EPA and GNJ descended on the Wildwood Convention Center for IGNITE 2026. They came looking to rekindle their GLOW, reconnect with Christ, and build connections with other young people.
The Weekend Kicked Off with a GLOW Party
Bubbles floated through the air as spontaneous dance parties broke out across the ballroom on Friday night. Eric Drew led praise and worship alongside other young leaders. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi was on hand to share some characteristic wisdom: “If you want to GLOW with the light of Jesus, then you need to be your authentic self.”
Praise dancers from Nueva Creacion in Lancaster and Aldersgate UMC in East Brunswick each showcased a series of high-energy performances. Then spectators became participants as the two dance troupes teamed up to lead everyone in a spontaneous flash-mob dance.
DJ Sammy took to the stage and kept the music flowing as the lights dimmed and the GLOW Party began in earnest. Some young people chose to dance, others gravitated toward youth group games, and still others made spectacular glow-band creations. The surprise hit of the night was the clothespin game, in which players tried to pin a clothespin on someone else without being noticed. It was an evening of wild, technicolor joy.
Saturday: Students find their GLOW
Saturday morning, Britt Nicole, the weekend’s worship artist, wowed audiences with her inclusive performance and inspiring presence. Between songs, she encouraged young people with a paraphrase of 1 Chronicles: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be discouraged by the size of the task or the size of the dream on your heart, because I am with you; I will never forsake you.”
Charlie Conder took the stage for the first session. She shared an illustration about Mt. Meeker in Colorado, which falls just 89 feet short of qualifying as one of the “14ers,” mountains that rise above 14,000 feet in elevation. She also talked about times when she felt like she didn’t measure up. She posed a question to the room: “How do you experience a glow-up if you feel like you never measure up?” She then invited students to embrace a GLOW UP that’s real: “Jesus’ way of glowing up doesn’t start with measuring. It starts with being seen.”
After lunch, Kris Sledge took the stage. He shared his experiences navigating anxiety and panic attacks, along with the practices that helped him stay centered. Through prayer and journaling, he learned to stay connected to God and remember that he is someone God already sees, knows, and loves. He reminded students of the power that is unlocked when they discover the spiritual practices that help them stay connected to the source of their light. “When we stay connected to Jesus, the source of our light, we stay connected to life.”
On Saturday evening, Derek Matthews offered his personal testimony about how the light of God’s love carried him through some of the hardest moments of his life. “Scripture reminds us that our past doesn’t have to determine our future. You were born to glow. Don’t let anybody dim your light.”
His story of perseverance and resilience was a living testimony to the truth that every one of us is more than our worst moments. “Falling is not the same as failing… getting up means deciding that your story is still being written.”
After Matthews’ talk, students had the opportunity to experience that truth in their own bodies as they gathered to pray with trusted leaders. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi prayed a blessing over everyone gathered, asking that they might feel their burdens lifted from their shoulders that night.
That prayer was answered in a deeply personal way. On Sunday morning, a student shared that the moment of prayer had brought her tears of release. “When she prayed, ‘May God lift all that off,’ I felt all the weight lift off my shoulders.”
The Holy Spirit moved in powerful ways as everyone lingered in prayer. Britt Nicole recognized the holiness of that moment and closed out the evening with her song “Thank You,” echoing, perhaps unknowingly, words attributed to Meister Eckhart: “If the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank you,’ it would be enough.”
Sunday Morning Sending: “Thank God I’m in My GLOW”
Sunday morning closed on a high note with Bishop Moore-Koikoi’s sermon and sending service. She told the story of a night when her car mysteriously began to glow from the inside out, even though none of the interior lights were on. Upon inspection, her husband discovered that the clip on the dog’s car seat was reflecting the house lights so strongly that it made the car appear to glow.
This, she said, was a perfect metaphor for how we GLOW when we are connected to Jesus. When we are centered and grounded, we glow the brightest. She encouraged the group to practice the means of grace so they could remain grounded and connected in all circumstances.
“Beloved, find the things that help keep you centered and focused. Exercise the means of grace, and in everything and at all times give God thanks and praise.”
Immediately after her sermon, young people had the opportunity to experience a means of grace through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Britt Nicole returned to the stage for a few more songs, and then it was time to go home. As young people prepared to leave, Bishop Moore-Koikoi sent them out with a blessing: “May our lives reflect your glory, and may others come to know your love through us.”
IGNITE is more than just a weekend. It’s a touchstone in the faith lives of young people, a reminder that they are loved, known, and seen by a God who will never let them go. It’s an opportunity to experience faith in community and journey alongside other young people.
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