When is UNITE and who is it for?
The Missouri Conference’s UNITE 2025 will be held on July 12-16, 2025, and July 21-25, 2025. The programming for the two weeks are nearly identical. Both weeks will be hosted at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. UNITE is tailored for incoming 6th graders to graduating seniors with a schedule that is conducive for your whole group.

How can I sign my students up?
Bulk seat buy for 2025 will open soon! Then, students register with their local United Methodist Church. If your student doesn’t have a youth group, please contact us to explore potential accommodations.

How should I prepare for the event?
Youth Leaders: First, pray for a great event! Next, select your week and register your group for bulk registration on our website. It is O.K. if your final numbers need to be adjusted. We will have those conversations in the spring 2025. Then, download the media package and begin conversations with your students, parents, and leaders to get them hyped and excited for UNITE! It is never too early to begin registration within your local church. As you invite adult leaders to join the trip, plan a time to meet together a few weeks before the event to be prepared as a team.

In early summer, begin to gather and organize required documentation: medical release forms, Safe Gatherings for each adult leader, and media releases for students and leaders, etc., so in-person registration and check-in goes smoothly. Keep an eye on your email as we share unique aspects of this year’s event and special materials to bring.

Parents: First, pray for your student! They are about to experience something incredible. Stay in communication with your student’s leader for group-specific information such as payment, when and where to meet, how to stay in contact, and specific additions to the packing list. Your leader will send you a link to fill out medical forms, media releases, and any other documentation required for the trip, and please don’t wait to fill those out. Please also communicate any additional needs or accommodations that will make this experience better for your student.

What should I expect at UNITE?
Expect an amazing and powerful week that will be transformational for your students and leaders. You will hear from great speakers, experience high-energy worship, share spiritual growth, choose from engaging and diverse electives, play mega games, eSports and sports tournaments, swimming in the pool, and much more!

How is it different from other youth conferences?
UNITE is a uniquely United Methodist experience. We are intentional about creating a space for our students to grow spiritually, be empowered, feel encouraged and create opportunities to connect with other student voices across the Missouri United Methodist connection.

How will this benefit my church?
One of UNITE’s biggest goals is to empower students to use their gifts, talents and passions for the local church. After the event, it is normal to see students seeking to get connected with ministries within the church and even create new ones. The energy that these students come back with will reenergize the church as a whole.

What’s the 2025 theme of the event?
The theme this year is Encounter. More details will come soon!

Where does UNITE find its presenters?
UNITE has recruited a diverse and skilled group of people both locally and nationally who know how to resonate with a student audience. Many of these people have had experience in student ministries or just have a passion for young people to know and understand the Good News of Jesus.

How many leaders do I need to bring with me? What will they be doing/asked to do?
Conference Safe Gathering guidelines require one adult for every eight students. Your leader’s focus is to build relationships with your students and to help facilitate small discussions. UNITE’s small group curriculum is designed to empower students in a way that it can be student-led. You and your adult leaders are responsible for the safety, accountability and overall experience of the students in your group. Be intentional to have fun and be present with them in worship sessions and experience God together!

How old do my leaders need to be?
In accordance with Conference Safe Gatherings policy, persons supervising minors must be at least four years older than the oldest participant.

What if we have a mission trip planned or mission trips are a big part of our youth group culture?
Great! We love that! UNITE is not meant to compete against mission trips but rather just be another experience where your students can see God at work in their lives. There are plenty of churches that offer both a mission trip and a conference in the same summer, alternate experiences every year, offer mission trips during spring break instead, etc. The choice is yours as a church, and we encourage you to look at both if your schedule allows the unique opportunities each experience could provide.

Who do I contact for more information?
Contact Missouri Conference Youth and College-Age Ministry Coordinator Rev. Angel Garcia at agarcia@moumethodist.org.