Home Office Weekly Update: November 6, 2025

7 minutes read time
a group of people seated around a table
Len Martin, outgoing UYC National Coordinator, leads planning meetings at the home office.
UCG.org
Print

Let’s pray for God’s continued guidance for our very important parents, congregations and church initiatives that combine in support of God’s precious youth.

From the President...

United Youth Camps and Supporting our Youth

Greetings fellow brethren,

God has filled the universe to overflowing, with amazing things that display His infinite capacities, wise planning and loving mindset. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20).

Majestic mountains with impressive structures, plains with expansive vistas, intriguing bodies of water, and diverse wildlife above and below provide us amazing environments to contemplate our God and our Savior. Their annual festivals teach us the underlying purpose for everything we see, and the reason for our temporary existence in it. Children are intended to grow in that understanding through parents who “command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD” (Genesis 18:19). God has invested His time and effort in the physical universe and in the life of His Son because, “He seeks godly offspring” (Malachi 2:15).

In an effort to support our church parents in raising their children in God’s Way, the Church invests considerable time, effort and financial support in our youth programs. Standing apart from all other annual opportunities are the United Youth Camps (UYC). These provide a very unique weeklong sampling of what millennial-type relationships can be like now, today. Youths enter a unique zone that escapes them from worldly society for a moment, stepping away from the world for a brief week. There, without societal distractions and surrounded by staff and teens who are learning, living and promoting biblical truths and godly behavior, is like traveling into the future when: “The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets…They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness” (Zechariah 8:5, 8).

This week, our U.S. UYC directors of our teen and preteen camps, met to lay out the groundwork for the 2026 United Youth Camps season. At the core of their planning are lengthy sessions focused on developing daily Christian living themes, “Compass Checks,” Bible classes, and lesson applications for each of the exciting activities being planned.

Let’s pray for God’s continued guidance for our very important parents, congregations and church initiatives that combine in support of God’s precious youth. And, thank you to all who help them personally with your examples of commitment and service that are lovingly contributed.

Making the most of your life in godliness

While we observe the majesty that God has made and sample the exotics that He provides, our life here is but a vapor (James 4:14). We each have a limited time to experience God within us through His Holy Spirit. It is what we do with that opportunity that tells Him what we are truly about. Nothing should distract us from pursuing His mindset and submitting to His will that we become godly like our Father (Matthew 5:48).

At the end of your life will come a decision that the Judge of all things must make (Hebrews 4:13, 12:23). We should develop an enthusiasm for that day with solid reasons for assuming that our reward will be an everlasting blessing. Paul set an example for us in that he didn’t just hope that Christ would accept him for salvation, but rather a confidence based on his progress in the war raging within. Note the reasons he expresses for this confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

And so, it remains for us to let Christ live in each of us in a manner that will permit Him to raise us up all together with Him at His return.

As we continue appreciating the creation and following its Creators, let’s remember that our turn is coming. As Peter said, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:7-8).

With love and appreciation for you in Christ’s name,

John Elliott, President

From Ministerial and Member Services...

Camp Director Meetings Strengthen Unity and Vision for UYC 2026

The 2025 United Youth Camps (UYC) Camp Director Conference, held Nov. 3–6 at the home office, brought together camp directors and Church leadership for a week of collaboration, reflection and planning. The conference continues to serve as an important opportunity for strengthening the unity and vision that drive the UYC program.

The meetings opened with encouraging comments from President John Elliott, who emphasized the value of teamwork and the shared mission of helping youth grow in godly character through the camp experience.

Throughout the week, both teen and preteen camp directors reported on their camps’ progress—highlighting smooth operations, positive spiritual outcomes and strong camper engagement across all sites. Directors also discussed challenges such as facility costs and rising medical and dietary needs, sharing creative ideas and solutions to strengthen next year’s programs.

One of the main topics this year was the rollout of the new CampSite application system, which will streamline registration, recordkeeping and financial tracking for all camps. Updates to reporting procedures, insurance processes, and scholarship applications were also reviewed to ensure greater consistency and efficiency.

A major focus of the conference centered on Christian living curriculum for 2026, built around the theme “Follow Me.” Directors worked together to refine daily sub-themes, ensuring each lesson builds on the previous day and keeps the spiritual message at the heart of camp. They also discussed practical topics like camp attire standards, medical staffing and ways to enhance onsite staff training, approaching every topic with purpose and collaboration

Conversations throughout the week reflected a spirit of unity, openness and care for the campers and staff who make UYC what it is.

We thank Len Martin for his years of dedicated service and steady leadership as UYC National Coordinator. He now passes the baton to Aaron Creech, who has served as Assistant National Coordinator and will continue to strengthen UYC’s legacy of faith, teamwork and service to our youth.

The meetings closed with expressions of gratitude from leadership, acknowledging the dedication of every camp director and volunteer who help make camp a success each year. As the UYC program looks ahead to 2026, the sense of shared commitment was clear—each camp, director and staff member plays a vital role in helping our youth “build on the foundation” and confidently follow God’s way.

—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services

From Media and Communications Services...

Help Shape the Future of our Media!

We’re launching a small pilot to test two new podcast formats—and we’d love your help! Join our pilot group to preview new programs and share your feedback. It’s a simple way to help shape what’s next for our media work. Sign up here by Nov. 21 or at surveymonkey.com/r/UCGMediaFG.

—Scott Delamater, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

Ambassador Bible College Chooses Council Officers and Committee Heads

Student council officers and committee heads for the Ambassador Bible College Class of 2026 were chosen last week. Since the class is smaller this year, every member of the student body is able to be involved directly with student council.

Officers:

  • President: Kyle McKenzie
  • Secretary: Katerina Fitch
  • Treasurer: Matthew Leiby
  • Student Body Monitor: Jesse O'Hare

Committee Heads:

  • Social Committee: Austin Furman
  • Service Committee: Andreya Halvorsen, assisted by Ayla Docken
  • Message Board: Katie French
  • ABC Times: Adam Miller
  • Technical Support: Junia Marin, assisted by Matthew Allison
  • Cards: Teresa Havens, assisted by Flower Duyck

Music Coordinators:

  • Rebecca Anderson, assisted by Melody Porter and Kyle McKenzie

Students and faculty are excited to start planning events and activities!

—Frank Dunkle, Ambassador Bible College Coordinator

Australian United Youth Camp

The annual Australian United Youth Camp (UYC) is held in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales every December—during the Southern Hemisphere’s Summer.

It has long been the camp’s tradition to welcome applicants for both staff and camper positions from international areas. Over the years we have welcomed staff and campers from New Zealand, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa, Netherlands, England and the United States.

The dates for this year’s camp are arriving on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 and departing on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Camp fees are waived for all international campers.

The link for the online application form is: https://wzhhn9gbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001B5a3m1PqPwsCPV1ARrXJm-8XgGhfVu1-k3Bg_lnNuqNbwsx1qBy9D-fnhQICvshW_FTjDRX5wSrL9B3tTNHZ8HcZ53f0_3J3rfydKYx6UEOaOabADrK9wvfRndQpmIbF08vcP3aVj1aRrxkzJLHfnToPKS5NFB1iAKEEKrKg2Sc=&c=Y69AMEZpfL6pHDGGwJ1csfOQ-FzvdYK4_nR73JqChczpdRnn3ptgnQ==&ch=MMEd6s_ZZrDW8hRswXLpzNYxhLflbiCdica7gGlNfoY5Q_NYQCH9LA==.

If you are interested in finding out more about the “Down Under” camp experience or would like to apply, please contact UCG-Australia UYC Camp Director, Stephen Clark, at stephenclark@ucg.org.au.