Religious faith has never been more of a question mark for a generation than it is for the 3-to-18-year-olds who make up Generation Z. According to research from Barna Group, a never-before-seen 35 percent claim to be agnostic, atheist or unaffiliated with any religion. In addition, this unique and diverse generation has never known a world without mobile devices – giving them knowledge at their fingertips. These two character traits have created a generation that thirsts for truth and longs to be heard.
Christ In Youth’s MOVE conference will be challenging tens of thousands of high school students within this generation to think about truth, volunteering and social justice issues from a different perspective during its 34 individual events all over the country. The week-long conference is designed specifically for high school students and has been a mainstay of the organization for nearly 50 years.
“We need to be honest – be real – about where we are in our humanity,” said MOVE Director Lane Moss, “that way we can be honest about what Jesus has done for us. But we can’t get there pretending like we’re perfect. There’s no room for that in this life that’s lived in this pursuit of perfection. I see that in direct contrast to things like social media and how we try to portray ourselves.”
MOVE will stop July 22-26 on the campus of Lee University in Cleveland. This year’s 34-city tour is based in the book of 1 John and will include powerful praise and worship, intentional small group moments and hilarious new games.
The event also features some of the nation’s best Gen Z speakers. Cleveland’s event will include Damian Boyd, lead pastor of Vertical Church; Anne Wilson, content director for Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis; Matt Reagan, lead team ministry pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.; and Mike Park, pastor of Hope Midtown in New York City. MOVE has also partnered with the Aaron Pelsue Band to lead the praise and worship.
For more information, please visit ciy.com/move.