Once upon a time, way back in 1958 the first International Institute took place. While this event was not called Nazarene Youth Conference, the idea was the same: gather high school students from all over the USA and Canada for a time focused on the transforming story and love of God. In 1974 International Institutes were renamed Nazarene World Youth Conferences and included delegates from all around the world. Districts selected delegates who were sent to NYC (yes, there was an application process, references, and Scripture memory verses). Then in 1987 the name changed to Nazarene Youth Congress and aimed to serve the USA and Canada regions. Recently, in 2002, the name of this transformational event was changed to Nazarene Youth Conference and was opened to all USA/Canada teens to attend. One element remains true: since that first conference in Estes Park, Colorado, we have made it a priority to keep drawing students together, sharing the story of God’s love, and inviting God to change us!

NYC changes locations and has met in St. Louis, Houston, Toronto, Phoenix, Orlando, Washington D.C., Estes Park, Colorado, Mexico, and Switzerland. God has done great things through those times! Story after story is told of how God used that time to call people to full-time ministry, to dedicate their lives fully to Christ in every way, to open their heart to what God was and is calling them to do.

We are excited to share that other Nazarene Youth Conferences/Congresses have sprung up all over the world from Europe to South America to the Caribbean to Asia. One thing has remained true at each of these incredible events: God’s presence!

As you register and prepare to come to NYC 2011 – A World Unbroken – know that you are part of a great movement of God in the life of His people!

For a complete history of NYI, please visit www.nyitoday.org and click on “Leader Resources.”