Experience 2026
Are you on staff in youth ministry?
Sharpen your craft of preaching at this powerful 3-day event.
Want to create richer, more impactful sermons? Want to be able to preach in a way that makes teens really listen to God’s Word?
Experience is an event created for you to workshop your preaching skills alongside friends and experts in youth ministry. You’ll get coached in speaking skills, sermon prep, and more while diving into a fresh community and exploring the city of Nashville.
Food, fun, lodging, and program are all included with your ticket. Spots are limited to 50 people in order to keep it small and intimate. Hurry to register—spots fill up fast!
At Experience, you will:
Discover lifelong skills to take your preaching from good to incredible
Spend meaningful fellowship with like-minded youth pastors
Grow in your preaching skillset through impactful breakouts, workshops, and one-on-one coaching
Experience spiritual rest and reset with time for solitude and fellowship
Explore the city of Nashville alongside incredible new friends, enjoy a weekend at a swanky hotel, and more!
2 Registration Options
Registration fees are non-refundable for this exclusive event.
Double Occupancy
$299
per person
For this rate you will share a hotel room with an assigned roommate. Have a friend attending Experience you’d like to room with? We’ll be able to match you as roommates. If you want to pick your roommate, you'll be able to do so before the start of the event.
All meals, program activities, and lodging are included.
Single Occupancy
$599
per person
For this rate you will get a private hotel room.
All meals, program activities, and lodging are included.
You will be able to select your option on the next step.
Why People Love Experience
Incredibly thankful for the team at Lifeway for putting together a power packed preaching workshop experience. Specific coaching, real-time feedback, and practical tools to enhance message preparation and delivery.
Regardless of experience, would highly recommend to all student pastors to sharpen the craft that God has given you by participating as it's allowed me to teach more concisely, creatively, and consistently.— Jason Mick, Executive Pastor (United City Church)
The Experience is a once in a lifetime type of conference where you are taught the intricacies of sermon prep and delivery from some of the leading Bible scholars, writers, and communicators in the world.
The content is applicable to every person who teaches at any level in any size of church and community lasts far beyond the event.
I have and will continue to recommend it to anyone who is seeking to improve as a Biblical communicator.— Brett Lalli, Student Pastor (FBC McAlester)
Attending this conference was a game-changer for me as a student pastor. It's easily one of the best I've ever been to. I walked away feeling more equipped and confident as a communicator to teenagers. One of the highlights was connecting with other youth pastors who truly understand the challenges of ministry—sharing insights and learning from each other was invaluable.
What really sets this conference apart is its focus on practical feedback. Many youth pastors don't have someone in their corner to give constructive critique after delivering a message. This conference fills that gap by providing access to seasoned communicators who identify blind spots and help you grow as a preacher. If you want to sharpen your skills and take your communication to the next level, this is the place to be.— Anthony Vargas, Student Pastor (TogetherWeChurch)
There is so much to say about this event that can only be understood by attending! Preaching and teaching is a a gift that we need to steward well and a craft that should be refined. The Experience does both of those things for student ministers with precision and encouragement. The Experience pairs together exhilarating fun and tender moments for student ministers from all over to come together to be encouraged, equipped, and refreshed in their calling and gifting so that when they go home they continue to faithfully do what the Lord has called them to do.
One thing I didn't realize I needed going into The Experience was a gentle reminder that the Lord sees me as a son and not just as a student minister. The Lord used The Experience to remind me that my calling means nothing without the One who has called me. Whatever season you may find yourself in right now, The Experience is an event that will refresh your soul and tenderly remind you that God still sees you and has so much more for you.— JP Black, Youth Pastor (FBC Rockwall)
Who’s already coming?
This unique experience is only happening with this 2026 crew, in Nashville, this year. It is sure to be a memorable experience that will impact your ministry leadership for years to come.
Chad Higgins
Mike Keahbone
Scott Pace
Will Cumby
Shane Pruitt
Zac Workun
Preaching is powerful, portable, and our greatest defense against church apathy. Rediscovering creative consistency that meets students where they are spiritually, emotionally, and physically is more important now than ever. God's message never changes; the delivery method must stay updated!
— Will Cumby
Schedule
May 4-6, 2026
Check-in starts at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4
Event concludes at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 6
*Please make plans to be in attendance for the entire duration of the event