Youth convention

Ontario Convention Center

Delta Hotel by Marriott

November 13-15, 2026

Each year, SPDYM hosts this powerful gathering to celebrate everything our youth leaders and students are doing in their churches and communities. This year’s theme is  Encounter — because we believe this generation  needs to experience Jesus in such a real and powerful way that they cannot return to life as usual.

Seek & You shall find

/ About Youth Convention THEME

ENCOUNTER

This generation is surrounded by more voices, distractions, opinions, and influences than ever before. Every day, young people are being told by culture, social media, friends, and the world around them who they should be, what they should pursue, and where they should find their worth. But what this generation needs most is not another trend, another platform, or another temporary experience 

 

They need an encounter with Jesus.

Throughout Scripture, when people truly encountered Jesus, they did not leave the same. The broken found healing. The lost found direction. The rejected found belonging. The fearful found courage. Sinners found grace, and ordinary people discovered a purpose greater than themselves.

 

When Peter encountered Jesus, Jesus called him away from an ordinary life and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Peter’s encounter became a calling.

This is why ENCOUNTER matters for this generation.

 

We don’t simply want young people to know about Jesus. We want them to know Jesus. We want them to encounter His presence personally, hear His voice, surrender their lives to Him, and discover who they are because of Him.

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In a generation constantly being told to seek popularity, success, attention, relationships, possessions, and approval, Jesus gives us a different invitation: Seek Me first.

 

Before the world defines you—encounter Jesus.
Before culture determines your values—encounter Jesus.
Before you decide your future—seek Jesus.
Before you follow the crowd—follow Jesus.

An encounter with Jesus isn’t meant to remain a moment at a convention. An encounter should lead to a life of discipleship.

/ Who are you following?

Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus means choosing Him not only during an emotional altar call moment, but every day—in our schools, friendships, relationships, homes, decisions, and futures.

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