August 2025

It was another INCREDIBLE summer of Youth and Kids camp!

We are excited to announce a RECORD number of total attendees at youth camp this year with
over 485 total people from 28 different churches—including a group that partnered with
Journey Church in Urbandale, IA, and came all the way from the country of Kosovo! This was an
increase of 100 total people from last year’s camp. Wow! This year of youth camp also featured
age-specific learning and activities by dividing up the middle school and high school students
during certain times of the day. This was a HUGE hit!

Pastor and newly appointed Open Bible Missionary to Tijuana, Mexico, Zac Anderson from
Cambridge, OH, gave 5 POWERFUL messages to our students – helping them to understand the
importance and impact that our choices can have in life, but ultimately that the most important
choice they could ever make is to CHOOSE Jesus, and to live their life for Him. During the altar
call moments, approximately 150 students came forward to either receive salvation or
recommit their life to Christ, more than 250 to receive freedom from addiction, bondage, or
shame, and over 300 to strengthen their relationship with Jesus. It was a beautiful thing to see
counselors praying with student after student – many of whom were not even their own! The
Holy Spirit was moving in LIFE-CHANGING ways at youth camp this summer!

At Kids camp we had a blast with our black-light, glow-in-the-dark theme—MIRACLES! This
theme helped students learn about the MIRACLE-WORKING God that we serve, and that His
miracles weren’t just for biblical times, but that they are STILL happening today! Our camp
speaker—Mikayla VanderPloeg from First Open Bible in Clear Lake, IA, did an amazing job! She
helped kids learn God’s miracles can help light up even the darkest of situations that we
experience, and that through a belief in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to go through any of that by
ourselves!

During the altar call moments, approximately 75 students came to the altar to be prayed over
for salvation or to “refocus” on Jesus. Over 100 students came forward the following 2 nights
either to give their “storm” or difficult moment to Jesus, or to ask Jesus for forgiveness for
something. It was INCREDIBLE to see the response of these 3rd to 5th graders as they came
QUICKLY to the altars, and even worshiped Jesus with their hands raised. God is doing
something BIG in our younger generation.

We can’t wait for Breakaway in Cedar Rapids, IA on December 29-31! We are excited to have
guest speaker Trinity Queen joining us, alongside worship band, “Jesus Collaboration.” Join us
for our evangelism-focused theme—“GO!”.

Skyler Sanford, Next Gen Director

Movement is a national Open Bible young adult ministry and will be hosting a conference in Denver, CO September 18-20, 2025. Central Region is EXCITED to announce that we will be covering the registration cost for the first 35 young adults to register from Central Region! This is an amazing opportunity to come together and fellowship with young, like-minded believers! We would LOVE to see young adults from your church there! Please click here for more information. Promotional videos and graphics are available.

The Gathering is our annual leaders’ event in Central Region. We have designed time for you to CONNECT with God and each other, options to RESOURCE you, and opportunity to ENCOURAGE you. This year, we are honored to welcome Brian and Camden Starley from Global Awakening as our guest speakers. Together, Brian and Camden carry a heart to see lives transformed and the church awakened to the fullness of the Spirit.

We would like to invite you to attend a time of refreshing in Lake Geneva, WI at the Timber Ridge Lodge. It is an all-suite resort, surrounded by rolling hills, golf courses, and flowing fountains. It is a beautiful place for The Gathering, and a wonderful place to relax, spend some free time and hear a word from the Lord.

For more information, and to register, click on the image or this link.