ASCENT 2026 is officially in the books, and what an incredible week it was!
This year marked a brand-new chapter as we gathered for the first time at The Crossing Retreat Center in Lexington, Nebraska. Moving to a new location always comes with a little uncertainty, but by the end of the week, there was no doubt, we had found a place that served our students and leaders incredibly well. One of the biggest advantages was how close everything was. Students could easily walk between sessions, meals, cabins, and activities, creating a stronger sense of community throughout the week. The trees provided shade which was a welcome escape from the summer heat, and the Quad (central area) quickly became the heartbeat of camp. Whether during free time or after evening sessions, students gathered there to laugh, play games, build friendships, and simply enjoy being together.
The activities this year were another highlight. Along with the return of our always-popular volleyball tournament, campers embraced several brand-new competitions. The Belly Flop Contest had everyone laughing, the Disc Golf Tournament brought out plenty of friendly competition, and the LEGO Build Tournament showcased some impressive creativity. It was exciting to see students jump into these new traditions with so much enthusiasm. The camp offered go-carts, mini-golf and even a rock climbing wall too.
Spiritually, God moved in powerful ways.
We were thrilled to welcome John Leonard back as our main speaker for the first time since he joined us in 2021. Once again, John connected exceptionally well with students, faithfully teaching God’s Word while challenging them to take meaningful next steps in their faith. The greatest celebration of the week came as six students made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus for the very first time. There is simply no greater reason we gather each summer than to see lives transformed by the gospel, and we praise God for what He accomplished in their hearts.
The camp experience itself was outstanding. Meals were a favorite topic of conversation all week. Gone were the long lines outside waiting to enter the dining hall. Instead, students enjoyed an all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited soft drinks, comfortable air-conditioned buildings, and plenty of delicious food. Add reliable Wi-Fi, excellent facilities, fun nightly themes, and exciting late-night activities, and it all combined to create an unforgettable week.
Perhaps the biggest surprise story of ASCENT 2026 happened before camp even began. Just six weeks before camp, our originally scheduled worship band unexpectedly had to cancel. What could have been a major setback quickly became one of the greatest blessings of the week. A group of worship leaders from Wichita stepped in on short notice. They jokingly referred to themselves as the “B Team,” but by the end of camp, everyone knew they were anything but. The worship team led students with excellence, authenticity, and genuine joy. Their passion for worship and their willingness to invest in students became one of the most talked-about highlights of the entire week. We are especially grateful to Candy Bergman, whose leadership, organization, and vision brought the entire team together in such a short amount of time.
Our campers also demonstrated incredible generosity. During our missions offering, students and leaders gave a total of $1,581.51 to support the chicken farm project in Uganda. Every dollar given will help provide sustainable resources and ongoing ministry opportunities for families and communities there.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who faithfully served behind the scenes. Thank you to our program team, planning team, worship band, John Leonard, workshop leaders, interactive track leaders, adult sponsors, and every volunteer who poured their time, energy, and heart into making ASCENT such a meaningful experience. Most importantly, thank you to every church, youth pastor, leader, parent, and student who joined us this year. Your investment in the next generation is making an eternal difference.
ASCENT 2026 was more than just a week of camp. It was a week of friendships strengthened, leaders developed, faith deepened, generosity displayed, and lives forever changed.
We can’t wait to see what God has in store for ASCENT 2027!
