For Christian Gonzalez, one moment during the 2026 Mid-America Hispanic Youth Congress confirmed that the weekend had accomplished exactly what organizers had prayed for. “We had four days to impact the lives of young people,” said Gonzalez, president of the Iowa-Missouri Hispanic Federation. “For some of them, it was the first time they had heard of Jesus, read their Bibles or even prayed.”
As Pastor Gustavo Squarzon invited young people to surrender their lives to Christ, Gonzalez watched many respond to the Holy Spirit’s call—including a friend attending the congress for the very first time. “That’s when I knew we had accomplished our goal,” Gonzalez said.
That same experience was shared throughout the weekend as more than 400 Hispanic young people from across the Mid-America Union gathered for the 2026 Hispanic Youth Congress under the theme Faith Mode “ON.” Through worship, faith-inspiring messages, music, recreation and fellowship, attendees were encouraged to strengthen their relationship with Jesus and keep their faith active long after returning home.
Mid-America Union multilingual ministries director Roberto Correa challenged young people to keep their faith “switched on” every day—not just during a weekend event.
“When our faith is strong, when it’s connected, it prepares us for any challenges we face in our lives,”
Correa said. As the congress concluded, he encouraged attendees to return home with the assurance that they are special, that God has a plan for their lives and that He needs them in His mission.
Throughout the weekend, Pastor Squarzon challenged young people to recognize the pressures competing for their attention and their faith. One concerning challenge, he stated, is that
“the world distracts them and offers them too many alternatives. Those things are attractive because they speak of money, success and fame.”
He also challenged churches to become more relevant to the needs of today’s generation so they can better support young people as they grow in their relationship with Christ.
Connections
One message especially resonated with Gonzalez. During one sermon, Squarzon asked, “Can you imagine what could happen with a connected generation?”
“My mind started thinking about many things we are capable of as young people,” Gonzalez said.
“That’s when I knew I had to strive harder and give my heart more to Jesus so He could use me.”
The messages didn’t end when the sermons were over. Throughout the weekend, young people continued responding through music and worship. A youth praise team led the congregation in worship, while Conexión Cielo shared music each evening. It was during one of those evenings that an unexpected story unfolded.
Inspired by God’s promise to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you,” a young woman named Roisbel gathered the courage to ask if she could sing with Conexión Cielo. Although she had never met the group, they welcomed her, rehearsed with her and invited her to join them in worship.
For Roisbel, the experience was never about performing. “I love singing, but I always remind myself I’m not singing so people will see me,” she said.
“I pray that whatever I sing will connect someone with God. I don’t care if people remember my name. If they remember how the song touched their lives, that’s all I need.”
Her testimony reflected one of the central messages of the weekend: that God can use ordinary people who are willing to step forward in faith.
Something bigger
The weekend also gave young people opportunities to build relationships outside the meeting hall. Volleyball and soccer tournaments brought together participants from different conferences, intentionally placing them on mixed teams rather than with people they already knew. The games concluded Saturday evening with championship matches, but the greater goal was helping young people meet one another, work together and experience the unity of the Mid-America Union beyond their local churches.
“This weekend mattered because it reminded our young people that they are part of something much bigger than their local church,” said Citlany Garrido, president of the Minnesota Hispanic Federation. “Seeing hundreds of Hispanic young people from across the Mid-America Union worship, serve, learn and build friendships together was a powerful reminder that we are one family in Christ.”
Garrido said she watched young people step outside their comfort zones, grow spiritually and return home with a renewed commitment to serve God and share His love with others. “If someone asked me why this weekend was important, I would simply say: because lives were impacted,” she said. “Seeds of faith were planted, friendships were formed, and young people left knowing they are loved by God and that they have an important place in His mission.”
Israel Lara, representing the Central States Federation, described the weekend as a time of peace and renewed faith. “As each part of the program progressed, I could feel a special peace that little by little was filling my heart and bringing me closer to God,” he said. “It reminded me that everything we have in this world is fleeting, but our relationship with God is what truly remains.”
He said events like the youth congress motivate young people to build friendships, strengthen their faith and encourage one another as they continue following Christ.
