Worship is an important part of honoring God and providing space for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of young people.  At this year’s DakYouth event, youth will have the opportunity to be led in worship by inspiring preachers and phenomenal musicians. 

Dakotans are familiar with and have learned from the United Methodist Church (UMC) of the Resurrection (COR) in Leawood, KS, so when the opportunity arose to connect the COR youth worship team, REZlife Band, to the DakYouth 14 event the planning team jumped at the chance.   The REZlife band will add a special dimension to worship at DakYouth 14.

“Not only are their young musicians top notch, their love of God is evident in how they lead others in worship,” stated Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Dakotas Conference Youth Coordinator.  “When they are leading music; it’s worship for them too, not an act or performance; it’s genuine and youth know it.” 

The keynote speaker/Bible teacher will be the Rev. Olu Brown.  The Rev. Olu Brown serves as the Lead Pastor of Impact Church, a new church in the West End of Atlanta, Georgia.  Impact Church is a growing, multicultural congregation that is “doing church differently.”

Olu has spoken all over the country including at YOUTH 11, the United Methodist global youth gathering.  His personal motto is “I would rather have tried and failed than never tried at all.”

Learn more about Olu in his own video biography. Olu will lead small groups, large group Bible study and preaching on Tuesday night at DakYouth 2014.

The theme for this year’s event, TRANSFORM, will come alive through scripture and preaching.  Opening worship, focused on the story of King David’s transformation from shepherd boy to leader of a nation, will be feature a message by Bishop Bruce R. Ough, of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area.  Rev. Rich Zeck, First UMC Brookings, SD, will preach at our closing worship service, sending us out to be agents of God in transforming the world. 

DakYouth 14 is July 14-16, at SDSU, Brookings, SD.  Registration and more detailed information available at the event website: www.dakyouth.com/14 or follow the event at www.facebook.com/dakyouth