NEXTGEN CONFERENCE
What you do matters, and we believe in you.
The NextGen Conference is designed for all children, youth, and young adult ministry leaders to find connections, develop leadership skills, be inspired, and be empowered to continue investing in the next generation. You can expect dynamic teaching, passionate worship, breakout sessions led by pace-setting leaders, and opportunities to develop vital relationships. We create this space to partner with you as you engage your call to ministry.
This January, we’ll come together around the theme “One Another.” Through powerful speakers, practical breakouts, and shared moments of worship and learning, we’ll explore fresh ways of living out discipleship. As we pour into the Next Generation, we’ll also renew our own commitment to follow Jesus and point those we lead toward lasting hope.
This year, we’re also honored to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Covenant World Relief & Development (CWRD). On Sunday evening, your registration includes access to a special Gala recognizing how CWRD embodies the Covenant Church’s call to be Christ’s witnesses—locally, globally, and across generations.
We can’t wait to see you this January in downtown Chicago!
SCHEDULE
All times are Central Time Zone
| Saturday, January 24 | |
|---|---|
| 2:00 - 5:00 pm | Registration Open |
| 3:00 - 4:30 pm | Early Breakouts in Michigan & Superior Rooms > Level 2 |
| 7:00 pm | Opening Worship with Shane Sanchez in the Gleacher Center |
| 9:00 pm | Food, Fun, and Bowling at Lucky Strike |
| Sunday, January 25 | |
| 9:30 am | Morning Session with President Tammy Swanson-Draheim, Jessica Springer, Pete Sutton, and Dominique Gilliard in Sheraton Ballroom > Level 4 |
| 11:30 am | Conference Lunches > Off-Site |
| 1:15 pm | Panel Discussion: Holy Hospitality in the Sheraton Ballroom > Level 4 |
| 2:30 - 3:15 pm | Children and Families Framework for Spiritual Formation in Superior > Level 2 |
| 2:30 - 3:15 pm | Youth and Young Adult Framework for Spiritual Formation in Michigan > Level 2 |
| 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Breakout Rotations (40 minutes each) in Level 2 |
| 5:30 pm | Covenant World Relief and Development 80th Anniversary Gala |
| 9:00 pm | Next Gen Evening Reception at Shula’s Steakhouse > Hotel Lobby Level 3 |
| Monday, January 26 | |
| 9:30 am | Morning Session with Lacy Borgo in Sheraton Ballroom > Level 4 |
MINISTRY TRACKS
Sunday, January 25 | 2:30–3:15 pm
CovYouth Framework for Spiritual Formation: Shaping Lifelong Faith, Habits, Relationships, and Mission
MICHIGAN > LEVEL 2
It is the job of the church to help students learn to love and walk with Jesus and the church for a lifetime. Our job isn’t over when a young person comes to faith, learns to pray, or reads the Bible regularly. We need to help them develop broader spiritual habits and relational connections to the church that sustain them and help them engage in the whole mission of the church. This workshop provides a framework for ministry development and evaluation that will help every type of church disciple young people toward resilient, lifelong faith.
Pete Sutton
Children and Families Framework for Spiritual Formation
SUPERIOR > LEVEL 2
We’ll discover how children’s spiritual formation is drawing awareness to God’s presence and intentionally embracing ways to nurture this relationship by following and becoming more like Jesus through an integration of Scripture, reason, tradition, and experiences. This is a lifelong formational process that shapes our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Jessica Springer
Breakout Rotations
Sunday, January 25 | 3:30–5:00 pm (40 minute sessions)
Tenx10 Relational Discipleship and the Church
HURON > LEVEL 2
Building Bridges: working with your senior pastor and leadership to build a relational discipleship model.
Shane Sanchez
Teaching Practical Prayer and Listening Practices
SUPERIOR > LEVEL 2
Explore practical tools and ideas for how to facilitate spiritual conversations with children.
Lacy Borgo
Justice Journey for Kids
ERIE > LEVEL 2
Join us for an inspiring workshop that explores the Justice Journey for Kids curriculum—a powerful discipleship tool designed to nurture children in worship, prayer, evangelism, and biblical justice. This innovative curriculum helps churches recognize the essential role children play in God’s kingdom right now, not just in the future. Rooted in holistic discipleship, intergenerational formation, and liturgical worship, Justice Journey for Kids helps young believers grow in humility, compassion, and justice. Come and learn how this curriculum has evolved—and how it can empower your church to raise a generation of justice-minded, Jesus-following leaders.
Dominique Gilliard and Steve Burger
Becoming Home: Become a Church for and with Young Adults
MICHIGAN > LEVEL 2
It is no secret that the Holy Spirit is stirring up something powerful and important among young adults both within and outside the church. Whether your church is in a major metropolitan area, a college town, or a rural community, every congregation is uniquely positioned to have meaningful influence with young adults. This requires reflection, intentionality, and change—but it does not require your church to fit into a specific mold. With a few key shifts in how we see ourselves and how we relate to young adults, we can become communities where young adults feel at home and add significance to our congregation.
Evan Kolding
Safe Harbor: Welcoming Children and Youth with Trauma and Neurodiversity
ONTARIO > LEVEL 2
We all want our ministry environments to be safe spaces for children and youth with neurodiversity and trauma, yet creating these spaces is never easy, especially while simultaneously creating exciting spaces for new and typically developing students. This workshop will provide a greater understanding of neurology and practical tips on how to shape spaces that are both safe and fun for students of all types.
Pete and Jocelyn Sutton
Registration
Early Registration (through November 21, 2025)
All registrations include the CWRD Gala
- NGC Early – $175 (Saturday–Monday noon)
- NGC Early Plus – $250 (Saturday–Tuesday, includes Monday dinner)
Regular Registration (after November 21, 2025)
All registrations include the CWRD Gala
- NGC Regular – $200 (Saturday–Monday noon)
- NGC Regular Plus – $275 (Saturday–Tuesday, includes Monday dinner)
LOCATION
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60611
Guest rooms (king and/or double) available for $169/night plus taxes. Parking at the hotel is $30/night with in-and-out privileges.
Policies
Cancellations & Substitutions
Please email events@covchurch.org to submit any cancellation requests. Cancellations cannot be accepted over the phone. Registrations that have only paid the $100 deposit will not be refunded. Cancelled registrations with a balance paid in full and received prior to January 15 will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. After January 15, a $100 fee applies for all cancellations. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis.
Substitutions will be accepted from the same church or institution, provided the registration and fee paid are the same for the new registrant as for the original registrant. To make any substitutions, email events@covchurch.org. Make sure to include the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the substitute.
Image Policy
Your participation at the NextGen Conference implies permission for the Covenant to reproduce your image, likeness, or voice in connection with any recorded display or reproduction of Midwinter in post-event publicity and publicity for other such events sponsored by the Covenant. Thank you!
Questions?
Contact (800) 910-2442 or events@covchurch.org.
