Youth Conference (Christian)
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- This article is about the Christian conference held in Canada, Ukraine, Belize and Africa. For the Hong-Kong Youth Conference, see Youth Conference (Hong Kong).
Youth Conference is a large scale three-day Christian event held in numerous places around the world. The originating event, YC Alberta, is held in Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta. YC is managed by Extreme Dream Productions, a division of Extreme Dream Ministries.
YC is unique from similar Christians music festivals like Creationfest in that attendees must buy tickets to attend all main speakers and concerts, not just the ones they choose.
YC Alberta 2007 was held on May 25-27, 2007 at Rexall Place. YC Alberta 2008 was held on May 23-27, 2007 at Rexall Place. YC Alberta 2009 will be May 22-24, 2009.
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[edit] History
YC was organized by the Alberta district of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). The first YC was held in 1994, with a group of 500 students. After being held for several years at the Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, the conference outgrew the facilities and moved to Edmonton's Coliseum in 2000.
In 2005 YC branched out to hold an event in Ukraine, which was very successful. YC is still expanding, with an event held in Winnipeg, Manitoba and one planned in Belize as well.
[edit] Format
Each year, YC has a different "theme" that expresses what organizers wish attendees to focus on during the weekend, which starts on Friday, goes through Saturday, and ends Sunday evening.
On Friday, YC kicks off in Rexall Place, usually with a light and fireworks show. Then comes a contemporary worship service, followed by a speaker. Then the evening ends with a concert.
On Saturday morning, there is another worship service, after which two speakers present. At noon, the attendees are released to eat lunch, and browse the many afternoon activities YC offers, like workshops, numerous concerts, indoor games, exhibitors, and a marketplace. Then the evening brings a concert, a worship service with another speaker, and a final concert.
On Sunday morning, there is a worship service with a speaker. The afternoon brings similar afternoon events as Saturday's, and YC conclude with a final worship service, and a final concert.
[edit] YC Alberta
| Year | Theme | Featured Artists | Featured Speakers | Special Notes |
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| 1994 | Rebecca St. James | First YC | ||
| 1995 | Fear Not | |||
| 1996 | Go the Distance |
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| 1997 | Be the One | |||
| 1998 | Shine |
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Reality Check missed their concert for unknown reasons. |
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| 1999 | Freedom | |||
| 2000 | History Makers |
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First year in Edmonton's Coliseum
Delirious'? song History Maker was used heavily throughout the weekend, and the lyrics were printed on the back of the program booklets. This is the first and only time YC has used a song as a base for a weekend theme. |
| 2001 | Transform-a-Nation | |||
| 2002 | Heaven |
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Michael W. Smith recorded his live Worship DVD at YC 2002. The DVD immediately topped the Billboard video charts and became a Gold seller in both the U.S. and Canada. | |
| 2003 | Believe |
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| 2004 | Soul Revolution |
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10th YC |
| 2005 | Consumed |
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| 2006 | Tell the World |
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| 2007 | King |
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| 2008 | Passion |
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[edit] YC Ukraine
Youth Conference Ukraine, or YC Kiev as it has been called, is a branch-off of YC Alberta held in Kiev, Ukraine. Around 5500 people attended the first 3-day event in summer 2005. Delirious? was a featured artist there. YC Kiev was run by Extreme Dream Ministries in its inaugural year, but the project is now being undertaken by the Alliance of Ukrainian Youth Leadership team.
[edit] YC Manitoba
Youth Convention Manitoba, or YC Manitoba is an annual Christian Youth Convention held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2005 YC Fusion, the original Convention name, had Mike Love — founder and president of Extreme Dreams Ministries as their keynote speaker at the conference. As Mike later recalled, he felt that Manitoba was a new mission field ready for an awakening. When the 2005 conference came to a close, Rob, the YC Fusion Director announced his position was ending which led to the announcement of Extreme Dreams Ministries future role in the conference. Changing the name from YC Fusion to YC Manitoba, Extreme Dreams Ministries and Mike Love led the way with a well-received 2006 conference and continues to do so.
| Year | Theme | Featured Artists | Featured Speakers | Special Notes |
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| 1994 | ||||
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| 2000 | ||||
| 2001 |
John 10:10 |
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| 2002 |
1 Peter 2:11 |
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| 2003 |
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| 2004 |
Crave |
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| 2005 |
The Leap |
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| 2006 |
Tell the World |
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| 2007 |
King |
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| 2008 |
Passion |
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[edit] YC Newfoundland
YC Newfoundland is the first branch off the original YC, held every year during the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, which is usually around the second weekend of October. It's held almost on a rotational basis in the largest centers in the province; Mount Pearl's Glacier (2000), St. John's Mile One Centre (2005 & 2007), Gander's Community Centre (2002, 2004 & 2008), and Corner Brook's Pepsi Centre (2001, 2003 & 2006).
YC Newfoundland was first held in front of 1500 attendees at The Glacier in Mount Pearl. It has grown to attendance figures of 3000 - 3500. It is organized by a committee from Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland & Labrador. The head of this group since the beginning of YC Newfoundland is Pastor Dean Brenton.
[edit] YC Belize
YC Belize was announced on May 28, 2006 at YC Alberta by Mike Love. The event was not officially announced but it was mentioned that Extreme Dream Ministries planned on collaborating with other youth missions groups to hold a Youth Conference in Belize. The event will run February 23-25 2007 in Belize City, Belize. Two teams consisting of youth and young adults from Bethesda Christian Fellowship and Strathcona Christian Academy will assist Extreme Dream Ministries in facilitating the event.
[edit] YC Africa
YC Africa was announced on May 5, 2007 at YC Manitoba by Mike Love and consists of a conference in Zambia and Malawi, Africa. Extreme Dream Ministries has secured a 30,000 seat soccer stadium for YC Zambia.
[edit] YC Malawi
YC Malawi was announced on October 6, 2007 at YC Newfoundland. This YC will take place on August 8, 2008 at the Silver Striker Stadium in Malawi, Africa.
