North American Youth Congress (commonly abbreviated 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 gatherings of Christian youth in the U.S. and is held in different cities around the country each year. In 2019, there was a record attendance of over 36,000 youth and young adults.[2]
Overview
Being the largest event hosted by the United Pentecostal Church International, NAYC is considered the "premier youth conference" of the UPCI.[3] It is intended mainly for youth and young adults, aimed at people ages 12 to 25.[4][5][6] 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.[2][7]
SERVE Day
During NAYC, attendees may also participate in a program known as SERVE Day (formerly Project 22:39[4]) where students help serve the nearby communities.[8][9] SERVE is held as a collaboration between UPCI Youth Ministries and Reach Out America, the disaster relief arm of the United Pentecostal Church International.[10] SERVE draws inspiration from Matthew 22:39, where Jesus says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[11]
History
NAYC was launched in 1979 and has traveled to various cities around the U.S. every year, starting in Memphis, TN, and the most recent being in St. Louis, MO. The event has grown over recent years, with the 2019 and 2023 editions being described by multiple outlets as one of the largest Christian youth events in North America.[12][13][14]
NAYC 2013 was held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY, from August 7 to August 9, 2013, with a theme of "Gravity."[19] Registration was at 12,000 for the event.[20] The event's SERVE Project (Project 22:39 at the time) involved students landscaping, painting, and engaging in general cleanup of nearby neighborhoods.[21]
2015
In 2015, NAYC was held at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK, under the theme "Anthem" from August 5 to August 7.[22][23] It drew over 22,000 young people and was the first to be sold out in NAYC history with 18,000 registrants in 14 hours, requiring overflow seating to be provided in the neighboring Cox Convention Center with a live stream of the service from across the street.[9][20][24] The event brought an estimated $6 million in sales to the city.[23]
2017
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NAYC 2017 announces the need for the first time of a football stadium - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN!! #NSYC15 #NAYC17
NAYC 2017 was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, with a theme of “This is That" from July 26 to July 28.[26][27][28] 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.[8][29] During the Friday evening service, a letter to the attendees from the vice president of the United States, Mike Pence, was read by Youth President Michael Ensey.[27][30] The event also featured "The Great Pitch," a competition offering young entrepreneurs aged 12–35 over $100,000 in prizes, investment, and coaching for ventures focused on creating meaningful social impact.[31]
2019
NAYC during the Friday evening service on August 2, 2019.
NAYC in 2019 was held at the Dome at America's Center and America's Center in St. Louis, MO, from July 31 to August 3,[32] under the theme, "Kingdom Come."[33] NAYC 2019 was the largest NAYC to date with around 37,000 young people attending.[2][13] During the event's SERVE Day, attendees filled 2,000 buckets worth $75 each to assist with disaster relief in the area,[4] with buckets and supplies provided by Lowe's and Feed the Children.[34]
2021
In 2021, NAYC, with the theme of "Ascend,"[35] was once again scheduled to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, from July 28 to July 30.[36] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was canceled as an in-person event on March 29, 2021,[37][36][38] instead being rescheduled as a special live streamed event on July 30, 2021, promoted using the hashtag #ScatteredToGather.[39] As of October 2024, the live stream of the online event has gained over 28,000 views on YouTube and 80,000 views on Facebook.[40][41]
NAYC 2023, under the theme of "Glory,"[3] was held in St. Louis, MO, at The Dome at America's Center with split sessions at the St. Louis Convention Center from July 26 to July 28.[42] In a statement, the UPCI announced that over 30,000 people had registered for the event since March 10,[3] with the final registration being placed at 33,000.[43][44] Final event attendance was 33,741 attendees.[45] NAYC 2023's SERVE Day involved over 1,500 students[45] preparing 3,000 disaster relief buckets containing items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and other hygiene products and cleaning supplies.[14][46][11]The Daily Wire, a conservative news outlet, published an article covering the event.[47] The article interviewed UPCI Superintendent Dr. David K. Bernard, the then-UPCI Youth President Michael Thomas, and several attendees.
^"North American Youth Congress". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
^2023: "#NAYC23 FAQ's". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
^2025: "North American Youth Congress". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
^"Welcome". North American Youth Congress. UPCI. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
^ ab"FAQ". North American Youth Congress. UPCI. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
^"Project 22:39". North American Youth Congress. UPCI. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
^Journal Record Staff (27 July 2015). "22,000 to attend NAYC in OKC". The Journal Record. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
^Holiman, K.C. (27 November 2017). "#NAYC17 Memories". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
^You can see an image of the letter posted by the UPCI Youth Ministries Facebook page here: "Pence Letter". Facebook. UPCI Youth Ministries. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
^"The Great Pitch". North American Youth Congress. UPCI. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
^Skirvin, Rachel (26 July 2019). "NAYC 2019 Information". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
^Admin (31 July 2019). "NAYC 2019 Wednesday Night". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
^ ab"COVID-19". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
^Admin (2 August 2019). "NAYC 2019 Friday Night Service". InsideOut Magazine. UPCI Youth Ministries. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
^"#NAYC23 FAQ's". North American Youth Congress. UPCI Youth Ministries. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
^ abBuford, P. Daniel; Johnston, Robin, eds. (October 2023). "Living Epistles". Pentecostal Life. 6 (10). St. Charles, MO: UPCI: 25. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"The SERVE Event". Reach Out America. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
