“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This is how it all began. Out of nothing there was something by the power of His word. A beautiful world. A garden. A holy people. Yet, despite how the rest of the story goes (Genesis 3), the beginning is crucial. Many of the world’s questions today can be answered by understanding the book of Genesis. How did this world come to be? Who is God? Who am I? What does the future hold?
Our theme for this year is “In the beginning…” We will be traveling to the beautiful rolling hills of Cincinnati, Ohio and right across the border to Williamstown, Kentucky to explore two great contributions that defend and support a biblical worldview: the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. These two sites help make Bible history come to life through evidence pointing to creation, responses to evolutionary claims, and a life-sized recreation of Noah’s ark!
This weekend we will hear how our heavenly Father created the world and still preserves it, while staying at Xavier University, enjoying time for Christian encouragement, fellowship, and fun.
LYA 2026, “In the Beginning,” will be held in Cincinnati, OH at Xavier University from July 23-26, 2026.
Early Registration
$375 | Until June 1
- Subsidized cost by the ELS Board for Youth Outreach
- Includes Lodging, Food, Activities, Sectionals, Keynotes, Conference Materials, T-Shirt, etc.
(Activities and Sectionals will have limited capacity: register early to ensure your top picks.) - Cost is for youth participants* & adult chaperones**
* Open to confirmed youth (exceptions can be made for groups bringing those in confirmation).
* Every church needs to send at least one youth leader/chaperone of the same gender as the students (consider paying their way as a church). If your church is unable to send a youth leader/chaperone, consider partnering with another congregation.
Late Registration
$425 | After June 1 until July 1
- Includes Lodging, Food, Activities, Sectionals, Keynotes, Conference Materials, T-Shirt, etc.
(Activities and Sectionals will have limited capacity: register early to ensure your top picks.) - Cost is for youth participants* & adult chaperones**
* Open to confirmed youth (exceptions can be made for groups bringing those in confirmation).
* Every church needs to send at least one youth leader/chaperone of the same gender as the students (consider paying their way as a church). If your church is unable to send a youth leader/chaperone, consider partnering with another congregation.
Highlights of the 2026 LYA Youth Convention include…
Morning & Evening Chapel Services and Sunday Divine Service
Daily chapel services as well as Sunday Divine Service (holy communion celebrated).
Keynotes & Panel Discussion
BLC Science professors Dr. Doyle Holbird and Dr. Chad Heins will be keynote speakers.
Read more about the Keynotes here.
Two Excursions
Two full-day excursions will be offered at LYA: the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter. More than museums, these are whole themed complexes filled with exciting and entertaining experiences.
In order to have as much time exploring these two places as possible, these will take the place of our normal sectionals. Sectionals will return next year.
Evening Activities
New this year: Our evening activity will be provided by Archery Arena, who will be setting up an arena in the soccer field under the lights at Xavier University. We will have some competitive fun with family-friendly archery dodgeball!
And, it wouldn’t be LYA without pastors and leaders playing against youth in Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, and other sports during evening rec time!
Vendor and advertising opportunities for LYA.
We are currently seeking conference vendors, advertisers, and sponsors. We’ll have a space reserved for tables so you can display your resources, ministry or other information to hundreds of youth and youth leaders. Additional print advertising opportunities are available in the LYA Conference Lanyard booklet. Cost for a table is $10, and cost for a table + ad space is $75. Friday of LYA will be the best day for tables, but they can be left set up all weekend. (Vendors who attend are responsible for paying the cost of registration, prorated for their length of stay to cover meals and lodging and any speakers). Email Rev. Jeff Hendrix to learn more.
We look forward to seeing you at the ELS Youth Convention from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26, 2026!
