Oklahoma youth host Lydia Patterson Institute for CCYM summit; hold elections
Rebekah Hasty
Youth came from across the state for the largest CCYM gathering since Covid. Our Oklahoma youth were joined by music students from Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) in El Paso, Texas.
On September 16, 2023, the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference hosted the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) Fall Summit at New Hope UMC in Oklahoma City. Madison Belase opened the worship service with a welcoming prayer, followed by music from the visiting LPI praise team, along with a devotion from Reese Herndon. After worship, CCYM elections were overseen by Rev. Dr. Sam Powers, Crossroads District Superintendent.
After elections the Oklahoma youth were treated to ice cream and music by the LPI mariachi band. LPI students also shared about their time in Oklahoma and about their experiences going to school and crossing the border between Mexico and Texas every day. It was a great time to get to know one another and recognize our commonalities and differences. Both groups of young people shared the desire to come together in the future.
After sharing ice cream and discussion, Oklahoma youth separated into small groups to address six questions regarding the church.
- What do you think the Oklahoma United Methodist Church will look like in 2050?
- What is your favorite thing about the United Methodist Church?
- Where do you see yourself in the church as an adult?
- What does it mean to be the church?
- What do you hope youth ministry will be like for the next generation?
- What kind of impact do you hope to make in the United Methodist Church?
Amazing and insightful discussion took place among these youth about where they see the church today and in the future.
In the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, we are blessed to have such passionate and dedicated youth who love God and enthusiastically want to share that love with others by making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Not only is the future bright in Oklahoma with these upcoming leaders; they are truly the leaders of today.
The 2023-2024 CCYM Executive team is as follows: Maddy Day, OKC New Hope, adult chair; Madison Belase, Acts 2, Edmond, student chair; Reese Herndon, Edmond First, student chair in training; McKenzie Burton, Kingfisher First, co-chaplain; Landon Aita, OKC New Hope, co-chaplain; Kiki McKinnon, Moore First, secretary; Emily Brown, OKC New Hope, mission; James Bourne, good shepherd, Yukon, senior YSF; Jocelyn Stephens, Moore First, junior YSF; James Seabrook, Edmond First, senior JYT; and Tommy Anderman, Kingfisher First, junior JYT.