BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – United Methodist Youth Institute has been celebrating its 115th anniversary on social media by flashing back to Institute from years past, where hundreds of high school students would invade the campus of Baker University.
While Institute hasn’t had that big of a population for a generation, the 49 youth who gathered June 23-28 this year – the highest numbers post-COVID – are just as intent on learning about their faith and purpose and joining in fellowship.
“This is a word-of-mouth event,” said Rev. Brenda Davids, in her second year as community life coordinator. “They’re bringing their friends, and I think families are looking for something to help explain what The United Methodist Church is.”
Davids is teaching United Methodist doctrine during the week, inspired by “Wesleyan Vile-Tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity,” the new book by Dr. Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Council on Archives and History and speaker for the recent annual conference and Orders & Fellowship at the Great Plains Conference.
The youth studied John Wesley as a young adult, his methods that became Methodism, and his theology of prevenient grace, justifying grace and abiding grace, as well as a Wesleyan view of immigration.
“We go pretty deep,” Davids said.
At the traditional midweek visitors night, two members of the Youth Coordinating Team for Institute said they had already noticed changes in the campers after three days.
“There’s more joy and more confidence,” said Sydney Helget, a member of Ottawa Trinity UMC. “Honestly, the community is just amazing.”
Araya Harness, a member of Berryton UMC, is in her first year on YCT.
“It’s been more fulfilling this year. We’re really able to affect the campers and see them transform,” she said. “They’re coming out of their shells a lot.”
“We can really see them getting into the spirit of Institute but also see the spirit of God enter them and connect us,” Helget added.
The traditional Wednesday visitors night, where parents, families and clergy pack Baldwin City First UMC, includes a sermon from a Great Plains pastor and testimony from one of the YCT.
Rev. Kara Eidson, pastor at McLouth-Oskaloosa UMCs, said she started attending Institute 17 years ago, when she was youth pastor of Lawrence First UMC.
“These people were very strange,” she said of her first impressions. “By the end of the week, I was hooked.”
Eidson has been on Institute staff ever since.
“Part of me keeps coming back because I need that reminder in my soul,” she said.
Jake Amtower, one of the YCT, gave a heartfelt testimony about a “little voice” in his head that he said was responsible for overthinking, eating disorders, mood swings and even an attempt on his life.
When he was diagnosed with anxiety, “that little voice that made me crazy all the time had a name,” he said.
Amtower, son of Shawnee LifeBridge UMC pastor Rev. Bailey Amtower, said devoting his life to Christ has made a difference in his life.
“Prayer works, y’all,” he said.
Davids said she and other Institute staff were grateful for the new financial support from the Great Plains Board of Ordained Ministry for providing scholarships. New funding this year also came from a regional youth ministry fund from the conference, as well as the Youth Services Fund.
Institute falls under the umbrella of Camp Chippewa, and Davids said the relationship between the two has grown each year.
“We’re getting our tread under us now,” she said.
Contact David Burke, content specialist, at [email protected].