Southern District youth conference focuses on “Connected”

More than 200 students, and a total of 287 registrants representing 14 churches, gathered Nov. 22 at Buhler (Kan.) MB Church for the Southern District youth conference.

For the first time, SDYC featured a one-day format. 

Director Mike Klaassen says in an email interview that the new format made it possible for more youth groups to attend and will also provide opportunities for more churches to host the event. The shift meant fitting a lot of programming into a shorter timeframe, Klaassen says, adding that some students missed the tradition of staying in host homes.

“Regardless of the length of SDYC, it was evident that God was at work in the lives of the students and leaders on that Saturday,” Klaassen says. “Change can be difficult, but it is so much fun to see how God can take our expectations and blow them out of the water.”

Students respond to theme

Luke Haidle, lead pastor of Living Hope Church in Henderson, Neb., spoke on the theme, “Connected” based on John 15:5. His three topics centered on abiding in God’s Word, in Jesus and in God’s love.

Klaassen says a highlight during the evening session was seeing students respond to an invitation to trust that God loves them, commit to allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of life and commit to abide in God’s Word. Students then came forward to pick up three Lego pieces that formed a heart in the shape of the conference logo. 

“Nearly everyone came down the center aisle as the band played and took part in this opportunity to reflect on what God was doing in their hearts,” Klaassen says. “It was special to see students respond to the invitation and then be able to take something with them to remind them of that decision.”

Activities recap

Scheduled activities included two sessions, two workshops, a youth group breakout and free time. Free-time activities included bingo, trivia, a dodgeball tournament, watching football, playing board games, crafts, yard games, karaoke, Legos, video games and an open gym.

A unique experience this year, Klaassen says, was eating spaghetti directly off the table for dinner. 

An offering of $825 was collected for King’s Kid Farm in Uganda, enough to purchase 55 chickens. 

The Tabor College team For His Glory, which includes former SDYC attendees, led students in singing. 

Three Tabor students—Creighton Kukula, Dellen Claassen and Brayden Berens—served as emcees.

Janae Rempel Shafer

Janae Rempel Shafer is the Christian Leader associate editor and joined the CL staff in 2017. Shafer is an award-winning writer, receiving multiple awards from the Kansas Press Association and Evangelical Press Association. A Tabor graduate with a degree in communications and religious studies, she and her husband, Austin, attend Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, Kansas.