Dakotas Conference youth and adult at Youth 2023. Photos shared by Andrea Pluddeman, Dickson UMC, and Matt Bader.

Over 100 youth and adults from the Dakotas Conference traveled to Florida for three days of service, and Youth 2023, held at Daytona Beach, July 25-28. Together they served, prayed, played, and grew in faith with 2,500 other teens from 44 states and five countries.

Leaving on Saturday, the group settled in for three days of service at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp in central Florida. After pizza for dinner, there was a campfire worship the first night. It was 65 youth praising Jesus from the Dakotas Conference. Flight problems caused a one-day delay in the arrival of some of the Dakotas Conference team. 

"I wanted to go so I could experience Florida. Also, the mission work sounded enjoyable," said LyRic Swanson from Spearfish UMC in South Dakota.

Cleaning, painting, pulling weeds, mowing, chopping wood, and hauling away some garbage were some jobs the Dakotas Conference team tackled at the camp. They also enjoyed meeting some geckos, checking out the St. Michael Labyrinth, hiking, and the pool.

Dakotas youth at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp.

"We spent time cleaning and sprucing up camp. We got to check out the camp pool and play some board games. We also found all kinds of creepy crawly friends," wrote Andrea Plueddeman, youth director at First UMC in Fargo, on a Facebook post. 

The Dakotas crew headed to Daytona Beach for Youth 2023. Youth from throughout The United Methodist Church have gathered for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship every four years. The event was filled with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship. Adult leaders who bring youth to the event found inspiration, support, and chances to authentically experience what it means to be part of the United Methodist and Wesleyan family.

It was a Beach Party kickoff for Youth 2023. At the Daytona Beach bandshell, there were lawn games like corn hole and volleyball, some inflatable obstacle courses, and hungry-hungry hippos. Amazing food trucks will also be available. Yung Drew was there. He has a heart for spreading the message of God to all that listen. He does it through his music as well as through spoken messages.  

Opening worship was with Rend Collective on the first evening. Hailing from Ireland, Rend Collective has many rootsy, indie-folk-style hits and has risen to number one on the iTunes charts in the United Kingdom and the United States. The profound yet simple message of "worship and community reimagined" clearly resonates with a generation seeking a fresh expression of faith and belonging. It was a glorious sight to see 2,500 teens worshipping Jesus! Listen to a video clip of the crowd singing.

Daytona Beach sits on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Communion stations on the beach happened in the mornings. 

"I felt it was a great opportunity for our youth to meet other UMC youth from across the country and to have the chance to worship together," said Rev. Bryce Blank, First UMC, Watertown, South Dakota. "There is hope for the future of the UMC." 

Rev. Rachel Billups, author, leader, and Senior Pastor at New Albany United Methodist Church, was one of the big room speakers. Rachel spoke at the 2021 Dakotas Annual Conference. She invited youth to bring Jesus into their lives. 

"When Rachel said, 'Maybe some of you came not believing in God or Jesus,' it made me think that God and Jesus were really real. It made my faith more rich," said LyRic Swanson.

Workshops at Youth 2023 were one-hour in length and happened on July 26 and 27. Everyone had the opportunity to attend up to three workshops per day. 

Andrea Pluedemann, director of youth ministries at First UMC in Fargo, North Dakota, led eight workshops at Youth 2023. She had two different workshops that were repeated several times. One workshop about creative prayer was just for the youth. Another workshop about leading youth ministry was for the adults who work with youth at their churches.

This is what some of the participants had to say about Youth 2023:

Communion stations on the beach.

"I just wanted to get away and find God, myself, and be more positive. I am taking away that forgiveness is always the best choice. Don't drag hate around. I grew in my faith because God will forgive me but making a bad choice is not an excuse." Riley Ness, junior, First UMC, Brookings, South Dakota. 

"I came because my pastor and discipleship coordinator asked me to. I could not attend when my teenagers went before. Tweens and teens are the church of now and the future. We need to make sure we, as the church, treat them as such. I appreciate the chance to know the teens from my church on a deeper, personal level. It warms my heart to know there are adults to help all of the teens in this difficult world." Renae Lehman, adult chaperone, First UMC, Pierre, South Dakota.

"I went to Kansas City four years ago and had a really great time. I made great friends, and I wanted to go again to help people. I will remember the memories made with relationships while in Florida. I loved being a part of the music, and the mosh pit. It helped me to see God in a different way." Sophia Maunu, senior, First UMC, Pierre, South Dakota.

Here is a fun fact: one out of every 25 participants at Youth 2023 was from the Dakotas. Thank you for supporting our youth!

"I was blessed to be able to go. I have gone on other missions or national youth events. This year I didn't take any youth with me. I was asked to go as an adult helper by Dayne Zachrison (organizer of the trip)," said Ginger Phillips from First UMC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. "I am glad I got the opportunity. I connected with the Dakotas adults and kids on this trip." 

View Dakotas Conference photos and videos from Youth 2023. 
View daily recap videos.