Youth of the Nation Conference

Youth of the Nation was an annual Christian Youth Conference held for 15 years in Wanganui, New Zealand. Unlike many other Christian conferences, YOTN was not held by one specific church or denomination. Youth of the Nation conferences and events were hosted by The Youth Of The Nation Trust in collaboration with other churches from around New Zealand. For the first 8 years the conferences were hosted by the Wanganui Christian Youth Workers[1] collective, a group of Christian youth pastors & workers from different denominations & churches across the city of Wanganui. This collective included representatives from Anglican, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Open Brethren, Catholic, Incedo, Presbyterian, Christian Outreach Centre—now known as International Network of Churches—, Elim, Salvation Army, & non-denominational. From 2012 until 2018, the YOTN Trust partnered with churches, not only in Wanganui, but from across New Zealand to host events in different cities.

Youth of the Nation Conference
GenreChristian
Location(s)Wanganui, New Zealand
Years active2004–2018
Websitehttp://www.yotn.net.nz/

Introduction edit

Youth of the Nation (YOTN) aimed to encourage and empower Christian young people to pursue Jesus Christ with a zeal that will impact their generation. As an event, the goal was to provide a 3-4 day event that was affordable for more New Zealand young people, while maintaining the standards & excellence of some of the leading national conferences.

The vision to hold YOTN came from Wanganui A/G youth pastor, Ben Hoyle. In 2003, Ben approached the local city youth workers to hold the conference as a city. He recognised that for one church to put on such a large event was too much, and that together the city could pull its resources and achieve the goal. With many of the city youth workers on board, plans were made to hold the very first conference in July 2004.

Each year YOTN gained momentum seeing attendance grow and more young people leave excited about their faith.

"YOTN continues to build in its momentum, magnitude and excellence. It is great to see more and more young people coming and leaving radically changed. The greatest thrill for me is seeing the hunger in the younger generation for the reality of God and a deep desire to walk in God's ways. Long may it continue." - Ps Iliafi Esera (Faith City Church A/G, Wanganui)[2]

In 2011, the event moved from the Wanganui Central Baptist Church, where it had been held for 6 years, to the School Hall at Wanganui City College. Then in 2012, YOTN IX was moved to the War Memorial Hall Convention Centre which seats 1500 people, where the conference was held until 2015.[3]

Ben Hoyle resigned as YOTN director in 2018 and Youth of the Nation Trust & events were absorbed into the Fearless Movement of the Assemblies of God NZ under the leadership of Ps Mike Coe from Timaru. YOTN held its final conference in April 2018 at Whanganui Central Baptist Church. The theme for 2018 was 'Possible' and involved reflecting on the past 15 years. Ps Ben Hoyle spoke the final message of conference and Ps Mike Coe closed the conference by announcing the future with Fearless.[4]

History edit

Conferences edit

Starting with Youth of the Nation 2004, the conference has been held annually.[5] The first decade of YOTN Conferences were headlined by guest speakers and guest artists.

Year Title Dates Venue Featured Speakers Featured Artists
2004 Youth of the Nation 2004 2–4 July Faith Community Church Ps Graeme Brock (The Tribe, Masterton NZ)
Timo Tagaloa (Athletes in Action, Auckland NZ)
Ps Tim King (Advance Ministry Training College, Auckland NZ)
Wash (Auckland NZ)
Rapture Ruckus (Wellington NZ)
Colliding Traits (Auckland NZ)
2005 Youth of the Nation 05 8–10 July Central Baptist Church Ps John Cairns (Power & Light Ministries, Melbourne AUS)
Ps Paul Saunders (Global Task, Auckland NZ)
Justin Duckworth (Global Education Centre, Wellington NZ)
Moped (Wellington NZ)
Agent'c (Wellington NZ)
Assorted Sweets (Wellington NZ)
2006 Youth of the Nation III 30 June -
2 July
Central Baptist Church Ps Don McDonell (Albany Christian Centre A/G, Auckland NZ)
Adrian Bates (Creation Ministries International, Auckland NZ)
Ps Daniel Paikea (Teen Challenge NZ, Palmerston North NZ)
Do Or Die (Auckland NZ)
Calling Elijah (Auckland NZ)
Fallen State (Wanganui NZ)
2007 Youth of the Nation IV 29 June -
1 July
Central Baptist Church Ps Don McDonell (Albany Christian Centre A/G, Auckland NZ)
Ps Neville Bartley (Central Baptist Church, Wanganui NZ)
Ps Iliafi Esera (Faith City Church A/G, Wanganui NZ)
Zebulun (Auckland NZ)
Arms Reach (Hamilton NZ)
Calling Elijah (Auckland NZ)
2008 Youth of the Nation V 16–19 July Central Baptist Church Ps Ben Houston (Hillsong Northern Beaches, Sydney AUS)
Dave Wells (Bible College of NZ, Auckland NZ)
Ps Sam Bayly (Gospel Inc., Wellington NZ)
Outta Exile (Tauranga NZ)
Dave Wiggins (Auckland NZ)
Zero-T (Gisborne NZ)
Tom Watts (Wanganui NZ)
2009 Youth of the Nation 6 9–11 July Central Baptist Church Ps Christoph Zintl (South City Christian Church, Christchurch NZ)
Ps Sam Bayly (Gospel Inc., Wellington NZ)
Ps Levi Marychurch (Arise Church, Wellington NZ)
Ps Daniel Paikea (Teen Challenge NZ, Auckland NZ)
Ps Shane Meyer (City Church, Tauranga NZ)
E.M.T. (Auckland NZ)
Calling Elijah (Auckland NZ)
A Kiss Goodbye (Tauranga NZ)
2010 Youth of the Nation VII 8–10 July Central Baptist Church Ps John Cairns (John Cairns Ministries, Melbourne AUS)
Michael Jones (Former All Black, Auckland NZ)
Julia Wright (Christian Broadcaster, Auckland NZ)
Ps Kem Price (Kem Price Ministries, Auckland NZ)
Ps Levi Marychurch (Arise Church, Wellington NZ)
The Frisk (Auckland NZ)
Dave Wiggins (Auckland NZ)
Jury & The Saints (Auckland NZ)
2011 Youth of the Nation 8 21–23 July Wanganui City College Ps David Katina (Great Life Church, Hawaii USA)
Ps Al Furey (Al Furey Ministries, Sydney AUS)
Ps Scott Bell (Albany City Church A/G, Auckland NZ)
Ps Steve Dunne (Richmond Baptist Church, Nelson NZ)
Ps Christoph Zintl (South City Christian Church, Christchurch NZ)
Tokyo Keys (Auckland NZ)
Sio Vaelua (Palmerston North NZ)
Asher (Auckland NZ)
2012 Youth of the Nation IX 12–14 July War Memorial Hall Ps James Williams (Peninsula City Church, Melbourne AUS)
Ps Don McDonell (Inspire Church Albany A/G, Auckland NZ)
Cindy Ruakere (NorthCity Church, Christchurch NZ)
Ps Tim Cleary (C3 Church, Auckland NZ)
Ps Daniel Paikea (Teen Challenge NZ, Auckland NZ)
[shift] (Auckland NZ)
MADD Messenger (Auckland NZ)
Theophilus (Auckland NZ)
2013 Youth of the Nation X 24–27 July War Memorial Hall Ps Nick Khiroya (Hillsong Church, Brisbane AUS)
Ps John Cairns (John Cairns Ministries, Melbourne AUS)
Ps Esther Elliott (Equippers Church Manukau, Auckland NZ)
Ps Don McDonell (Inspire Church Albany A/G, Auckland NZ)
Ps Graeme Brock (CCC on Pascal, Palmerston North NZ)
Ps Steve Dunne (Richmond Baptist Church, Nelson NZ)
Andy Campbell (Worship Pastor,
St Paul's Symonds Street,
Auckland NZ)
Black Boy Peaches (Auckland NZ)

From 2014, YOTN Conferences no longer headlined regular artists, putting more focus on guest speakers and introducing Tribal War games that had been tested at YOTN X with success.

Year Title Dates Venue Featured Speakers Extra Notes
2014 Youth of the Nation Plus 17–19 July War Memorial
Conference Centre
Dr Allan Meyer (Careforce Lifekeys, Melbourne AUS)
Ps Luka Robertson (Manukau Hope Centre, Auckland NZ)
Ps Daniel Paikea (Paikea Ministries, Gold Coast AUS)
Ps Sam Bayly (New Life Churches Youth Director NZ)
#RunWellAotearoa
2015 Youth of the Nation Uproar 9–11 July War Memorial
Conference Centre
Ps Ted DiBiase (WWE Hall Of Famer, Clinton, MS, USA)
Ps Jadwin Gillies (Hillsong United, Sydney AUS)
Ps Esther Elliott (Equippers Church, Auckland NZ)
Ps Rocky Stocks (Grace Vineyard Church, Christchurch NZ)
#IamtheUproar
2016 Youth of the Nation One 28–30 April Wanganui Racecourse Ps Nick Khiroya (Hillsong Church, Brisbane AUS)
Ps Steven Silcock (Revolution Church, Christchurch NZ)
Ps Daniel Paikea (Paikea Ministries, Gold Coast AUS)
Ps Gary Grut (Baptist Churches Youth Team Leader NZ)
Ps Gordon Fitch (Presbyterian Churches Youth Manager NZ)
One God
One Body
One Kingdom
2017 Youth of the Nation
Ascend the Hill
27–29 April Central Baptist Church Ps Brenden Brown (Hillsong Church, San Francisco USA)
Ps Steven Silcock (Revolution Church, Christchurch NZ)
Ps Byron Marchant (Equippers Church, Auckland NZ)
Ps Gary Grut (Baptist Churches Youth Team Leader NZ)
2018 Youth of the Nation
Possible
26–28 April Central Baptist Church Ps Daniel Paikea (Paikea Ministries, Gold Coast AUS)
Ps Steven Silcock (Revolution Church, Christchurch NZ)
Ps Christoph Zintl (The Story Vineyard Church, Wellington NZ)
Ps Ben Hoyle (YOTN National Director, Whanganui NZ)
F15TEEN YEARS

Speakers edit

Youth of the Nation Conference has been blessed over the years with some great speakers from across New Zealand, along with many of the gifted ministers from Wanganui itself. Here is a list of all those who have spoken, either in main sessions or electives, over the years:

 
The official poster for the very first
Youth of the Nation held in 2004.
 
Youth of the Nation X was held
to celebrate 10 years in 2013.
 
The final Youth of the Nation
conference was held in 2018 and
was themed 'Possible'.
Speaker's Name Organisation/Church Conferences
Andrew Bailey Elim Worship Centre (Wanganui NZ) YOTN X
YOTN Ascend the Hill
Kerran Bartley Central Baptist Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN 05
Neville Bartley Scripture Union (Wellington NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN III
YOTN IV
YOTN V
YOTN VII
YOTN IX
YOTN X
YOTN Uproar
YOTN Possible
Asher Bastion Life FM (Auckland NZ) YOTN 6
Adrian Bates Creation Ministries International (Auckland NZ) YOTN III
Sam Bayly National New Life Churches Youth Director (Wellington NZ) YOTN III
YOTN IV
YOTN V
YOTN 6
YOTN IX
YOTN Plus
Ivan Beets Wash (Auckland NZ) YOTN 2004
Scott Bell Inspire Church Albany A/G (Auckland NZ) YOTN 6
YOTN 8
YOTN X
Kirk Beyer The Rock (Wellington NZ) YOTN Plus
Graeme Brock CCC on Pascal (Palmerston North NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN X
Brenden Brown Hillsong Church (San Francisco USA) YOTN Ascend the Hill
Murray Brown YouthTrain NZ (Palmerston North NZ) YOTN 05
YOTN IV
Morgan Burne Citywestchurch A/G (New Plymouth NZ) YOTN Plus
Sam Burrows [shift] (Auckland NZ) YOTN IX
John Cairns John Cairns Ministries (Melbourne AUS) YOTN 05
YOTN VII
YOTN X
Andrew Campbell St Paul's Symonds Street (Auckland NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN X
Lorne Campbell Christ Church Anglican Parish (Wanganui NZ) YOTN V
Matthew Chamberlain National Presbyterian Youth Director (Auckland NZ) YOTN Uproar
Tim Cleary C3 (Auckland NZ) YOTN IX
Mike Coe Connect Church (Timaru NZ) YOTN Possible
Matt Collier City Church A/G (Tauranga NZ) YOTN III
Patrick Coneglan Equippers Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN III
Brendan Cooper Faith City Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Possible
Kerryann Cooper Faith City Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Possible
Paul Cornish Central Baptist Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN IV
Malcolm Delamare Porirua Christian Life Centre A/G (Porirua NZ) YOTN 6
Ted DiBiase WWE Hall of Famer (Mississippi USA) YOTN Uproar
Andy Dickson Calling Elijah (Auckland NZ) YOTN 6
Justin Duckworth Global Education Centre (Wellington NZ) YOTN 05
Mick Duncan The Outsiders (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Possible
Steve Dunne Richmond Baptist Church (Nelson NZ) YOTN 8
YOTN X
David Elliott World Outreach (Singapore) YOTN One
Esther Elliott Equippers Church (Auckland NZ) YOTN X
YOTN Uproar
Penny Elliott World Outreach (Singapore) YOTN One
Marty Emmett YWAM (Tauranga NZ) YOTN Uproar
Iliafi Esera Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN III
YOTN IV
YOTN X
Dallas Eves Ingestre Street Bible Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 05
Gordon Fitch National Presbyterian Youth Manager (Wellington NZ) YOTN One
Al Furey Al Furey Ministries (Sydney AUS) YOTN 8
Rebecca Gane Salvation Army HQ (Wellington NZ) YOTN X
Julia Gaze Citywestchurch A/G (New Plymouth NZ) YOTN IV
Jadwin Gillies Hillsong United (Sydney AUS) YOTN Uproar
Tania Goose Riverstones Church A/G (Upper Hutt NZ) YOTN Plus
Gary Grut National Baptist Youth Team Leader (Auckland NZ) YOTN One
YOTN Ascend the Hill
Mike Hadwin Albany City Church A/G (Auckland NZ) YOTN 8
Sam Harvey Soul Survivor NZ (Wellington NZ) YOTN IV
Beki Hayward Soul Survivor NZ (Wellington NZ) YOTN V
Justin Holm The Base City Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN III
Travers Hopkins Equippers Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN VII
Ben Houston Hillsong Northern Beaches (Sydney AUS) YOTN V
Ben Hoyle Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN V
YOTN 6
YOTN X
YOTN Plus
YOTN Uproar
YOTN One
YOTN Possible
Nigel Irwin Central Baptist Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN One
Aaron Jackson Actor (Auckland NZ) YOTN 05
YOTN Possible
David Jones Citywestchurch A/G (New Plymouth NZ) YOTN 8
Michael Jones Former All Black (Auckland NZ) YOTN VII
Eugene Katene Te Puna O Wai Ora (Wanganui NZ) YOTN IV
Kinyua Kathuri Ingestre Street Bible Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Ascend the Hill
David Katina Koinonia Christian Center (Hawaii USA) YOTN 8
Nick Khiroya Hillsong Church (Brisbane AUS) YOTN X
YOTN One
Tim King Advance Ministry Training College (Auckland NZ) YOTN 2004
Abby Kingi Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 8
Caleb Kingi Cliff Life Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 8
YOTN One
Nick Kirk Christ Church Anglican (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 6
David Mann Hope Project (Tauranga NZ) YOTN Ascend the Hill
Byron Marchant Equippers Church (Auckland NZ) YOTN Ascend the Hill
Tawhe Mark Christian Outreach Centre (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 05
YOTN 6
Levi Marychurch Arise Church (Wellington NZ) YOTN 6
YOTN VII
Braden Matson Harvest Christian Church A/G (Auckland NZ) YOTN IV
YOTN V
Don McDonell Inspire Church Albany A/G (Auckland NZ) YOTN III
YOTN IV
YOTN IX
YOTN X
Jacob McGregor Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Plus
Karina McGregor Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN One
Chris McKenzie St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN IV
YOTN IX
YOTN X
YOTN Ascend the Hill
Andrew McKerrow Salvation Army (Wanganui NZ) YOTN VII
Allan Meyer Careforce Lifekeys (Melbourne AUS) YOTN Plus
Shane Meyer City Church A/G (Tauranga NZ) YOTN 6
Mo Morgan St James' Presbyterian Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN One
Ray Moxham Freedom Christian Church A/G (Hamilton NZ) YOTN Plus
Rachel O'Connor Youth For Christ (Wellington NZ) YOTN III
Daniel Paikea Paikea Ministries (Gold Coast AUS) YOTN III
YOTN V
YOTN 6
YOTN 8
YOTN IX
YOTN X
YOTN Plus
YOTN Uproar
YOTN One
YOTN Ascend the Hill
YOTN Possible
Whetu Pohio Turning Point Church (Napier NZ) YOTN IX
Joshua Pound Central Baptist Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Ascend the Hill
YOTN Possible
Kem Price Kem Price Ministries (Auckland NZ) YOTN VII
Rosanne Rea Ingestre Street Bible Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 8
Teina Rima Good News Emanuel Faith Fellowship A/G (Auckland NZ) YOTN Plus
Luka Robertson Manukau Hope Centre (Auckland NZ) YOTN Plus
Scott Rosene Youth For Christ (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 05
YOTN III
YOTN IV
Glen Rowe Colliding Traits (Auckland NZ) YOTN 2004
James Roy Equippers Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN X
YOTN One
Cindy Ruakere Northcity Church (Christchurch NZ) YOTN IX
Paul Saunders Global Task (Auckland NZ) YOTN 05
Vivian Schwartfeger Why Ministries (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 05
YOTN VII
Steven Silcock Revolution Church (Christchurch NZ) YOTN One
YOTN Ascend the Hill
YOTN Possible
Kent Somerville SALT Church (Palmerston North NZ) YOTN VII
Andrew Stanbrook-Mason Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN V
Rocky Stocks Grace Vineyard Church (Christchurch NZ) YOTN Uproar
Timo Tagaloa Athletes in Action (Auckland NZ) YOTN 2004
Iliesa Tamaniyaga City Ministers Association (Wanganui NZ) YOTN V
Rob Thompson Central Baptist Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN V
Greg Tichbon Youth For Christ (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
Sean du Toit Alphacrucis (Auckland NZ) YOTN IX
Lyndon Tongs Christian Family A/G (Palmerston North NZ) YOTN III
Selepa Vai Te Awamutu A/G (Te Awamutu NZ) YOTN Uproar
Jordan Vailima Life City Church (Wainuiomata NZ) YOTN Possible
Christine Waitai-Rapana Faith City Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN Ascend the Hill
Daryl Warburton Waitara High School (Waitara NZ) YOTN Possible
Dave Wells Bible College Of NZ (Auckland NZ) YOTN V
Stephanie West The Base City Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
Paul White Levin A/G (Levin NZ) YOTN VII
YOTN 8
YOTN Possible
Dave Wiggins Comedian (Auckland NZ) YOTN V
YOTN VII
Annette Williams St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN 05
James Williams Peninsula City Church (Melbourne AUS) YOTN IX
Simon Williams St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Wanganui NZ) YOTN 2004
YOTN 05
Petia Wilson MADD Messenger (Auckland NZ) YOTN IX
Melody Winters Incedo (Wanganui NZ) YOTN VII
Julia Wright Christian Broadcaster (Auckland NZ) YOTN VII
Christoph Zintl The Story Vineyard Church (Wellington NZ) YOTN 6
YOTN 8
YOTN Possible

Youth of the Nation: Preliminary event edit

YOTN held a special preliminary event, held in Term One of the school year. It served to bring youth groups and ministries together in cities around the nation. It also gave young people a taste of what the actual conference held later in the year would be like.

Year Title Date Venue Speaker Notes
2006 YOTN
InFocus
11 March Faith City Church A/G, Wanganui Ps John Cairns (Power & Light Ministries, Melbourne AUS) Wanganui band Fallen State
performed
2007 YOTN IV
InFocus
15 February Faith City Church A/G, Wanganui Ps Don McDonell (Albany Christian Centre A/G, Auckland) This was the first full meeting
Ps Don ministered at following
his quad-bike accident in Nov 2006
2008 YOTN V
InFocus
22 February Christ Church Anglican, Wanganui Ps John Cairns (John Cairns Ministries, Melbourne AUS)
2009 YOTN6
InFocus
5 March
6 March
St Andrews Presbyterian, Wanganui
Life City Church A/G, Wainuiomata
Ps Daniel Paikea (Teen Challenge NZ, Auckland) The first InFocus held outside
of Wanganui was held in
Wellington.
2010 YOTN VII
InFocus
6 March
24 April
Salt Church A/G, Palmerston North
Life City Church A/G, Wainuiomata
Ps Scott Bell (Albany City Church A/G, Auckland)
Ps Christoph Zintl (South City Christian Church, Christchurch)
Ps Levi Marychurch (Arise Church, Wellington)
The first InFocus held in the
Palmerston North.
These were whole day events.
2011 YOTN8
InFocus
25 February
26 February
Equippers Church, Wanganui
Hutt City Baptist Church, Lower Hutt
Ps Braden Matson (Chiesa Evangelica Bethel, Bari Italy)
2012 YOTN IX
Tour
18 March
20 March
21 March
22 March
23 March
24 March
Living Waters Christian Church, Auckland
City Rock Church, Napier
Faith City Church A/G, Wanganui
Hutt City New Life Church, Wellington
Richmond Baptist Church, Nelson
South City Christian Centre, Christchurch
Ps James Williams (Peninsula City Church, Melbourne AUS) InFocus was renamed Tour
and YOTN held events in
multiple cities.
2013 YOTN X
Tour
5 April
6 April
7 April
8 April
9 April
10 April
11 April
12 April
13 April
14 April
Nations Church, Dunedin
Aranui Primary School, Christchurch
Richmond Baptist Church, Nelson
The Rock Church, Wellington
The Miracle Centre, Hastings
St Andrews Presbyterian, Wanganui
citywestchurch A/G, New Plymouth
South Waikato Events Centre, Tokoroa
Otara Recreation Centre, South Auckland
Inspire Church Albany, Albany Auckland
Ps Daniel Paikea (Gold Coast Chapel, Gold Coast AUS) Celebrating 10 Years in
10 Cities over 10 Days.
2014 YOTN Plus
Tour
27 March
28 March
29 March
30 March
31 March
1 April
2 April
Nations Church, Dunedin
City East Church, Christchurch
Faith City Church, Auckland
Inspire Church, Taupō
Equippers Church, Wanganui
The Miracle Centre, Hastings
The Rock Church, Wellington
Ps Christoph Zintl (Grace Vineyard Church, Christchurch) 'Run Well Aotearoa'
2015 YOTN Uproar
Tour
20 March
21 March
22 March
24 March
25 March
26 March
27 March
28 March
Freedom Christian Church, Hamilton
Mt Zion A/G Manurewa, Auckland
Inspire Church, Taupō
Elim Worship Centre, Wanganui
Equippers Church, Masterton
Kings House Church, Napier
Hutt City Baptist Church, Wellington
Nations Church, Dunedin
Ps Esther Elliott (Equippers Church, Auckland)
Ps Kirk Beyer (The Rock Church, Wellington)[6]
Ps Ben Hoyle (YOTN Director, Wanganui)[7]
#IamtheUproar
2016 YOTN One
InFocus
11–12 March Hutt City Church A/G, Wellington Ps Ben Hoyle (YOTN Director, Wanganui)
Ps Christoph Zintl (The Story Vineyard Church, Wellington)
Ps Gordon Fitch (Presbyterian Churches Youth Manager NZ, Wellington)
Due to the change of Conference
dates to April, the Tour was
put on hold and replaced with
this InFocus event.
2017 YOTN ATH
Tour
24 March
31 March
Ormiston Senior College, Auckland
Hutt City Church A/G, Wellington
Ps Steven Silcock (Revolution Church, Christchurch)
Ps Byron Marchant (Equippers Church, Auckland)
Steven spoke at the Auckland event,
and Byron spoke in Wellington.
2018 YOTN
Auckland
Possible
14 April Ormiston Senior College, Auckland Ps Teina Rima (E12 Youth Ministries, Auckland)

Youth of the Nation: Leadership Event edit

Following the 10th Anniversary Conference in 2013, YOTN launched a leadership development event held in the later part of the year. "The Aim is to bring youth pastors, leaders and workers together from across Aotearoa to be encouraged, empowered and equipped."

Year Title Date Venue Speaker Notes
2013 YOTN Leaders Plus 16 November The Rock Church, Wellington Ps Luka Robertson (Manukau Hope Centre, Auckland NZ)
2014 YOTN Leaders Uproar 10–11 October Faith City Church, Wanganui Ps Iliafi Esera (Superintendent AOG NZ)
Ps James Roy (Equippers Church, Wanganui)
Kirk Beyer (The Rock, Wellington)
Melissa Beyer (The Rock, Wellington)
Ps Ben Hoyle (YOTN Director NZ)
2015 YOTN Leaders One 2–3 October Faith City Church, Wanganui Ps Sam Monk (Equippers Church, Auckland)
Ps Mike Coe (Connect Church, Timaru)
2016 YOTN Ascend the Hill
Leaders Conference
30 September -
1 October
The Rock Church, Wellington Ps Sy Rogers (Life Church, Auckland)
2017 YOTN Fathers of the Faith
Leaders Conference
10–11 November The Rock Church, Wellington Ps Iliafi Esera (Faith City Church, Whanganui)
Ps Kem Price (Kem Price Ministries, Auckland)

YOTN Championship edit

In 2008, the conference added a sports extension. The YOTN Championship is a sports tournament where different churches/youth groups attending the conference entered teams to compete for the YOTN Championship Trophy. It is a fun competitive event.

Year Conference Venue Winners Runners-up
2008 YOTN V Wanganui City College Gymnasium St Paul's Presbyterian Church (Wanganui) Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui)
2009 YOTN6 Wanganui City College Gymnasium Levin A/G (Levin) YOTN6 Worship Team (Wanganui)
2010 YOTN VII Wanganui City College Gymnasium Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui) Levin A/G (Levin)
2011 YOTN8 Wanganui City College Gymnasium Living Waters Church (Auckland) Levin A/G (Levin)
2012 YOTN IX Wanganui Collegiate Gymnasium Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui) Levin Life Church (Levin)
2013 YOTN X Springvale Stadium Turning Point Church (Napier) Good News Emmanuel Faith Fellowship (Auckland)
2014 YOTN Plus Springvale Stadium Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui) Hutt City Church A/G (Lower Hutt)
2015 YOTN Uproar Springvale Stadium Hutt City Church A/G (Lower Hutt) CliffLife Church (Wanganui)
2016 YOTN One Springvale Stadium Hutt City Church A/G (Lower Hutt) Porirua Christian Life Centre (Porirua)
2017 YOTN Ascend the Hill Jubilee Stadium Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui) Life Changers Church (Levin)
2018 YOTN Possible Whanganui High School Gymnasium Good News Emanuel Faith Fellowship (Auckland) Faith City Church A/G (Wanganui)

External links edit

Websites edit

News articles edit

  • Young folk full on at meet in Wanganui - article in Challenge Weekly Vol 63 Issue No 30 Page 5
  • Youth of the Nation Conference 05 - article in Empowered Magazine Spring 2005 Edition Page 13
  • Youth of the Nation III Conference - article in Empowered Magazine Spring 2006 Edition Page 14
  • Youth of The Nation IV Report - article in Empowered Magazine Spring 2007 Edition Page 10
  • Youth of the Nation V - article in Empowered Magazine Spring 2008 Edition Page 7-8
  • Youth of the Nation - article in The Wanganui Chronicle Saturday 11 July 2009 Page A4
  • Youth of the Nation VII Conference Wanganui - article in Empowered Magazine Spring 2010 Edition Page 31
  • Don't Sleep Naked - article on Firezone (National Salvation Army Youth Blog) 3 August 2011
  • The Message - article in The Wanganui Chronicle Monday 16 July 2012 Page A4
  • Youth of the Nation Gather - article in The Wanganui Chronicle Thursday 25 July 2013 Front Page
  • Youth of the Nation Conference Celebrating 10th Anniversary - article in The River City Press Vol. 29, No 27, July 25, 2013 Page 3
  • Christian Youth Mark Decade Of Conference - article in The Wanganui Chronicle Saturday 27 July 2013 Page 2
  • Youth of the Nation 2016 - article in Empowered Magazine Edition #2 July 2016 Page 18
  • Ascend the Hill, Leaders Summit - article in Empowered Magazine Edition #3 December 2016 Page 22
  • YOTN God Doesn't Give His Heart in Pieces - article in Empowered Magazine Edition #2 August 2017 Page 20
  • Ascend the Hill - article in Empowered Magazine Edition #2 August 2017 Page 21
  • 15 Years Of Youth of the Nation Conference - article in Empowered Magazine Edition #2 August 2018 Page 18-19

References edit

  1. ^ The official Youth of the Nation Website "Youth of the Nation V". Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  2. ^ quoted from "Youth of The Nation IV Report" Empowered Magazine Spring 2007 Edition Page 10
  3. ^ The Wanganui Chronicle Monday 16 July 2012 Page A4
  4. ^ Empowered Magazine Edition #2 August 2018 Page 18-19
  5. ^ The official Youth of the Nation Website: History Page "Youth of the Nation V". Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  6. ^ Ps Kirk only spoke at the Whanganui event night for the 2015 Tour
  7. ^ Ps Ben only spoke at the Masterton event night for the 2015 Tour