Early Bird Registration Deadline Days Away for YOUTH 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jan. 19, 2015 /Discipleship Ministries/ – Three-plus packed days of inspiring speakers and top-flight Christian musical artists await youth and youth leaders who attend YOUTH 2015 in June, but the deadline for early bird registration is just a few days away.

The best possible price for the national gathering for United Methodist youth is available only until Jan. 31. The event, scheduled for June 24-28 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, is sponsored by Young People’s Ministries (YPM), a division of Discipleship Ministries.

YOUTH 2015 is designed specifically for youth, ages 12-18.

“Attendees can plan to arrive on June 24 for kickoff activities starting at 7 p.m., enjoy three full days of workshops, on-site service opportunities, prayer space, evening worship and late-night options before heading back home on June 28,” said Chris Wilterdink, Director of Program Development at YPM.

Youth leaders are responsible for registering their groups at www.YOUTH2015.com. The early bird registration fee is $420 per person, a $30 savings over the regular cost of $450, which will apply from February through March. A deposit of $105 per person is accepted. Beginning in April, the late registration fee will be $475 per person, with only paid registrations accepted. No tickets will be available at the door.

Each registration includes four nights at the World Center Marriott, dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all hotel amenities and all YOUTH 2015 programming.

“I am so excited about our speaker lineup,” said Allie Wainwright, a YOUTH 2015 Design Team member from Akron, Ohio. “We invited speakers who had to have three characteristics. They needed to be: excellent presenters, relevant to the lives of young people, and United Methodist.”

The speaking lineup includes:

• Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio
• Telley Gadson, pastor at St. Mark UMC in Taylors, S.C.
• Derrick Lewis-Noble, Director of Congregational Development and Revitalization in the New York Annual Conference
• Taylor Ogden Thomas, Middle School Program Director at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan.

In addition, Bible study leaders will be Cedrick Bridgeforth, District Superintendent in the California-Pacific Conference, and Samuel Yun, minister of young adults at Los Altos UMC in Los Altos Hills, Calif.

More information about the speakers is available at http://youth2015.com/voices

Hip hop Christian artists Tedashii, KB, and Propaganda will start the event with a concert on Wednesday night. Acoustic guitarist Trace Bundy and Canadian Christian group The City Harmonic will perform Thursday and Friday. The Wayne Kerr Band will serve as the house band, performing during worship each night of YOUTH 2015.

“We wanted a big closing concert so folks would be inspired to go on to continue the spirit of the event after we wrap up,” said Erin Foellmi, a design team member from California. “Phil Wickham is an incredible artist to close out YOUTH 2015. Kids from our youth groups would go see any of the Y15 artists in concert as individuals, and with them all together…wow!”

Chris Tabone, a design team member from Florida, added, “Our team feels great about every artist we have. We're working hard to create immersive worship experiences."

In addition to the website www.YOUTH2015.com, up-to-date information about speakers, programming, schedule and more can be found on Facebook and Twitter @youth2015.

Youth leaders who register will receive a downloadable four-session resource to help prepare their youth for the main event. A free downloadable resource for groups to use after the event will also be available.