180º Symposium

Youth ministry takes place on a regular basis with people of all ages leading. The highlights might come at unexpected times, but often stand out at special events. Think of your own spiritual journey. It probably includes highlights and also a gradual shaping over the long term as well.

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In 2025, the topic was discipleship—including a process over time of becoming more Christlike. Our topic for the 180° Symposium March 31-April 2, 2026, focuses on the spectacular internal experience—the type of thing when a young person says something to the effect of, “God showed up!” It’s not that God isn’t present at other times, but the moments in which God seems to unmistakably show himself.

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The Bible contains multiple examples of this, whether it was Jacob’s vision of the ladder connecting heaven and earth, Moses at the burning bush, Elijah on Mount Carmel, and multiple stories about Jesus in the Gospels and the early church in Acts.

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What about now? Can you identify when God shows up? Where is this likely to occur? When? and Why? Does great programming make the difference? Do larger budgets yield more results? Is it completely up to God and we just need to wait? What role does leadership play? Can these things be replicated? How do you deal with things when you expect God to show up, but nothing happens—the fire doesn’t fall?

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Those interested in submitting a one-page proposal to present a paper are invited to do so by October 1, 2025. Email it to Steve@involveyouth.org. Below are potential topics for papers, or you may come up with your own topic based on the overall topic for the 2026 symposium: “GOD SHOWS UP: Intense Spiritual Experiences for Young People.” For the 180° Symposium, the term “young people” includes youth, young adults, and children (ages birth to 30). Also be sure to check out our guidelines for writers.

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Potential Topics:

• How to Know It’s God

• The Role of Emotions in Sensing God’s Presence

• How Long Does It Last?

• The Desire for God

• Baptism and the Presence of God

• Summer Camp

• Short-Term Mission Trips

• Youth Rallies

• Vacation Bible School

• Retreats

• The Impact of Music and God’s Presence

• Service Activities

• Solo Times

• Pathfinders

• Mentors

• The Still Small Voice

• Miracles

• Manipulation

• When God Seems Absent

• Finding God in the Mundane

• Temperament and Sensing God

• Today’s Prophets and Their Message(s)

• Perceiving God in Nature

• When Things Get Out of Control

• Generational Differences

• Spiritual Disciplines

• Sabbath

• Personal Devotions

• Discernment

• Faking It