Do you know a youth or young adult who wants to shape the UMC’s future? January 15 is the deadline to apply to go with the Michigan Conference groups attending the Global Young People’s Convocation in Dublin, Ireland, from July 7-11, 2026.
The Global Young People’s Convocation (GYPC) takes place every four years, is worldwide in nature, and is required by the Book of Discipline. GYPC is primarily organized by and for United Methodist young people. The event is also open to ecumenical partners and denominations that have a relationship or partnership with The United Methodist Church.
This event is for young people, ages 12 to 35, to connect, learn, and lead alongside young Methodists from around the world. This event is a celebration of the connectional relationships we form through discipleship in The United Methodist Church.
Learn more about GYPC 2026 by reviewing this FAQ page.
A small group of youth and chaperones from the Michigan Conference is forming, along with a small group of young adults and leaders. If you know of a youth or young adult who wants to help shape the future of The United Methodist Church, have them apply to learn more.
January 15, 2026, is the deadline to complete the application to go with the Michigan Conference group. Completing this form does not commit a young person to going. It just lets Michigan Conference leadership know of their interest and that they want to explore this further. Meetings with both age groups will be held later this year or in early 2026 to provide more details and review costs and possible scholarships.
Youth Group
If youth, ages 12 to 18, are interested in attending GYPC 2026, have them complete this form, and then have their parents / guardians complete this questionnaire.
A trained group of youth leaders from the Michigan Conference will be chaperones for the youth group. They include Dokoda Holt-Sharp, Rev. April Gutierrez, Andrew Stange, and Rev. Anika-Kafi Summers.
Young Adult Group
Young adults, ages 19 to 35, who wish to learn more about GYPC 2026 should contact Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Team staff member, at [email protected]. She will follow up with next steps.
GYPC 2026 is a United Methodist denominational event designed to help young United Methodists connect with and better understand their denomination’s connectional nature, and learn how to advocate and lead in the decision-making systems used by the UMC. All denominations, including churches in the Methodist family tree with whom the UMC has partnerships, are welcome, and worship time will be ecumenical. Most of the workshops and learning opportunities will be specifically United Methodist.
By attending GYPC 2026, young people will feel like they have a voice in the future of The United Methodist Church. Those attending hope to report on their experiences at the 2027 Michigan Annual Conference.
GYPC will be organized around four central concepts:
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- Training: The United Methodist Church has systems and processes to decide how the church organizes, where it focuses its resources, initiatives, and justice work, and so on. GYPC provides opportunities for young people to learn how the systems and processes of The United Methodist Church work, so they, as young leaders, can be advocates and visionaries who engage in legislative, plenary, and conference sessions at all levels of the church. This is especially important as the UMC envisions its future.
- Networking: The worldwide United Methodist Church is rich with experiences and stories of young leaders making a difference and growing in their discipleship. GYPC will provide opportunities to meet young United Methodist leaders around the connection and ecumenical partners who share the desire to make a difference. By building up familiarity and relationships, incoming church leaders can develop friendships and trust.
- Creating: The GYPC in 2026 can create statements and legislative proposals for submission to the 2028 General Conference. There will be opportunities to share items that participants might like to address with the church, practice legislative sessions, perfect statements, and build coalitions to support proposals going forward.
- Experiencing: GYPC rotates to different locations around the world, and the event is designed to help participants learn about and experience the local culture and church. Local faith leaders, storytellers, and leaders in the European region will be involved in the main room worship and keynote times. This GYPC promises to be an ecumenical event thanks to our siblings of the Irish Methodist Church and other partners.
Last Updated on December 1, 2025