It All Began in 1981
IYC is the brainchild of Dave Markell, who in 1981 served as the director of youth ministries for the denomination. His work stood on the shoulders of those who organized Winona Youth Advance, and of Fred Thomas, former director of youth ministries, who organized the popular Holiday Teen Conventions of the middle to late 70s.

Markell's goal was to gather all Free Methodist youth in one place so that they could have a "big camp" experience. They chose a beautiful location in Estes Park, CO, at the rustic YMCA Camp of the Rockies. In its first year, between 1,200 and 1,500 students and leaders attended what would turn out to be an historic time of worship, hiking and fun. In 1985 and 1988, IYC was again held in Estes Park and the conference really came into its own during this time, with some popular speakers and bands. IYC's leadership began to intentionally focus on being more "international" — inviting kids from other nations and tying mission trips into the events.

In 1991, IYC moved permanently to the CSU campus, where there is plenty of space for the event's ever-growing attendance (2,800 in 1991 and 3,800 in 2000). Strong momentum came in 1991 from a healthy national youth ministry team, which helped to better define the purpose of the event. In 1994, the students were challenged to "Stand Tall in Christ," and many went home with a medallion as a symbol of their new-found courage. The highlight of IYC '97 was a massive flood that roared through Fort Collins, giving students (and leaders) the opportunity to rely on the Holy Spirit as they spent a night trapped in Moby Arena. In 2000, the event became more international than ever, with the proceedings translated into Spanish, a youth contingent attending from Hungary, and part of the entertainment provided by a Samoan band, the Katinas.

Building, Equipping and Winning
IYC has always been considered a "growth-level" event in the denomination. The stated purpose of bringing so many young people together has long been to help them grow in their Christian walk by offering quality speakers, teachers and leaders.

Helping establish them in their faith now will hopefully ensure that each one will have a strong relationship with God later in life.

Increasingly, however, the National Student Ministry Team has sought to bring more clarity to IYC's purpose. Their mission for the youth of the denomination is to "Build to Equip to Win." In other words, while IYC will always offer opportunities for young people to come to know God, for them to grow it must also focus on leadership training. "We want to have more of a balance, even though IYC will still be primarily a growth event," says Pastor Doug Ranck, general director for IYC 2000 and 2003. "We want to provide excellent opportunities for equipping strong student and youth leaders to do ministry. We will never be as effective as the local church at winning youth to Christ, but our goal is to inspire and equip students and youth workers to reach their communities for Jesus. We believe that as we do so, more will be won for the kingdom."

IYC 2003: Cross Training
The theme for IYC 2003 is "Cross Training," drawn from 1 Timothy 4, where Paul urges his young apprentice to train in godliness because of its value for this life and the one to come. Paul goes on to say that when Timothy does this, it is an act of hoping in God. He urges Timothy to teach these things and adds, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12, emphasis added). This verse will be the basis of both the morning age-level teachings and evening rallies at IYC this year. Each of the conference's five days will be focused on one of the five actions Paul encouraged his apprentice to practice: speech, life, love, faith, and purity. IYC's leadership wants to encourage those who attend in the pursuit of the holiness God desires for each of them, as well as provide tools to inspire holy living in those they may one day teach and/or lead.

Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA, will be the keynote speaker at IYC 2003. He speaks clearly to youth, and is excited about how God is leading this generation to bring His love and truth to those around them. Attendees will also be hearing from our Free Methodist bishops as they bring their vision for the next generation in the church.

In the mornings, Pastor Mark Van Valin of West Morris Street FMC in Indianapolis, IN, will be the high school speaker, and Hule Goddard, United Methodist pastor and professor of youth ministry at Columbia University, will teach the junior high group. The post-high population will have a different opportunity at IYC 2003: "Reality University," where they can choose from three separate tracks featuring different aspects of life in God. Carlos Oscar, one of the Clean Comedians, will kick off the event with his outlandish humor. Living Water, a praise band whose members hail from various Southern California FM churches, will be leading worship, along with additional music from Lost and Found (with their quirky "speedwood" style) and Associate Pastor A. J. Mora from Hermon FMC in Los Angeles (who specializes in Christian music mixing).

There will also be recreation, excursion and social outreach opportunities for everyone, as well as a "Student Stage" where young people can exercise their gifts.

What Can You Do?
The most important aspect of any event that is planned in the name of Jesus Christ is prayer. The leadership of IYC 2003 is asking anyone who has a burning desire for today's young people to know God and seek Him more fully, to do one thing: pray. IYC has been a defining spiritual moment for so many of our young people over the years — we want to keep that as our primary focus. He will meet those who gather in His name, and call them to deeper relationship, ministry and accountability. It is our goal that nothing would hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. We are coveting prayers for protection from evil and discouragement as well. As Christians, we live in changing times. The culture that surrounds young men and women today does not lend itself to seeking Jesus as the only way. Prayer will help all of us immeasurably in our endeavors to draw near to Him and walk firmly in His ways.

Second, it is our hope that all youth from our denomination will be encouraged to attend this event. We are calling on parents, superintendents, pastors and youth workers to stress the importance of IYC 2003 to our teens, college-age young people and the friends they may invite to come along for the experience.

Advertisements help, but personal invitation is still the best way to get students to IYC. And, there are still some FM churches who have never sent anyone to the conference. Please, don't let this happen in 2003!

Third, we recognize that beyond family or work scheduling, financial circumstances can keep away some of those who really want to be at IYC. As the leadership team, our goal is to assist those who seriously want to come but would experience financial hardship in doing so. A scholarship fund has been set up to give money to young people from any area of the country who cannot afford IYC. And while monies have been raised to date, in order to make the scholarship fund a viable option for those who truly need it, we're asking for additional help. Remember, your donation could very well change a life — forever!

Contributions to the IYC scholarship fund can be made by contacting Gary Kilgore, treasurer for the denomination: e-mail: garyk@fmcna.org; snail mail: P.O Box 535002 Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002; phone: (800) 342-5531.

Life-changing interactions have been a part of IYC ever since the denomination began this ministry in earnest years ago. This conference has long been called the premier youth event of the Free Methodist Church — for obvious reasons. Every three years, when thousands of young people gather together in Colorado for IYC, they are being challenged in their faith, learning more about worshiping God, sightseeing in a beautiful state, participating in recreation and being engaged in workshops. IYC is a time when these up-and-coming young Christians can explore their gifts. It is a place where eternal friendships will be established. IYC allows the next generation to see Free Methodism at its best — a denomination committed to being an apostolic movement for Jesus Christ in today's world. Each day, in various ways, IYC attendees are invited to consider where God is leading them now and in the future. We trust that, as in years past, God's Spirit will work in a powerful way this year to bring fruit that will last to His kingdom. This is a dynamic time to be a Christian. May our young people know this as we meet this summer for IYC 2003!