Young people from Central States Conference churches across Iowa and Nebraska gathered in November 2025 at College View Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the Great Plains Youth & Young Adult Federation. The event brought the theme “Fearless” to life through worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
The main speaker for the worship service was Pastor Elijah Johnson. He currently serves as part of a ministry team in Iowa, leading the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Des Moines and New Life Christian Ministry in Waterloo within the Central States Conference. His message challenged youth and young adults to trust God even when life feels uncertain.
He reminded them that faith is not about the absence of fear, but the courage to move forward in spite of it.
PC: Toyin Alabi
Throughout the worship experience, the atmosphere was filled with energy, praise, and purpose. Youth and young adults lifted their voices, hearts, and hands in worship, declaring their boldness in Christ and their commitment to live out their faith without fear.
PC: Toyin Alabi
Following worship, the evening continued with the AYS program, which featured powerful testimonies, creative expression, and a renewed call for youth and young adults to live “Fearless” every day. The program gave participants a chance to reflect, share, and be encouraged in their faith.
PC: Toyin Alabi
Later in the evening, the focus shifted to fellowship and connection as local churches faced off in a friendly volleyball tournament. Cheers, teamwork, and community spirit filled the space, bringing youth and young adults together in a fun and encouraging way and strengthening bonds between churches across the region.
The Great Plains Youth & Young Adult Federation was created to bring young people together for worship, community, and spiritual growth. It gives youth a place to connect, build relationships, and strengthen their faith in a positive and supportive environment. The purpose of the event is to empower a generation to live fearlessly for God and to remind them they are not alone in their walk of faith.
The impact on participants was clear. The gathering helped ignite confidence in God, deepen a sense of community, and renew boldness to live out faith with clarity and purpose.
“I believe the youth discovered that trusting God isn’t just a lesson but it’s a lived experience,”
said Pastor Byron Wright.
“And because of what they felt and saw here, they left knowing they can walk into life fearless and full of faith.”
Pastor Byron Wright is the youth director for the Central States Conference and serves as pastor of New Beginnings Seventh-day Adventist Church.
