General Assembly of the Church of God in Michigan

State Youth Convention


November 3-5, 2023

First Church of God

Saint Joseph, Michigan


Dear Youth Leaders,

STATE YOUTH CONVENTION, a favorite event for many, is getting closer! The 2023 weekend will not disappoint! The theme for SYC is “REDEEM” and we will be looking at the life of Joseph during the weekend for our inspiration.

SYC 2023 will be held at:
First Church of God
2627 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan

We will be using the Life Center at the church for our Friday night- Sunday morning services. A recreation/fun time will be held off-site. Stay tuned for more details.

Chip Taylor, will be our weekend speaker. Chip Taylor is a captivating speaker with a contagious love for Jesus and a huge heart for the church.

He is passionate about developing leaders, caring for the marginalized, and impacting the world for Christ. Chip loves being a “Papa”, fishing, golfing, football, and date nights with his wife. He is a graduate of Mid-America Christian University and a 30 year student ministry veteran.  He is the Director of the Intern Academy. Chip and Lori have two kids (Leah and Caleb), one son-n-love (Jacob) and one grandchild (JJ).

Kelsie Newman will guide us in worship during the weekend. Kelsie comes to us from the hills of North Carolina. She has a passion for raw, authentic worship and aims to create a space for people of all ages to respond to Lord.

It’s VERY important to read ALL information concerning the convention, hotel registration, and meals to process all the details.

Convention Registration Price per Person

   Early Bird price- $75 (includes SYC Tee Shirt) (currently through Oct. 16)

   Regular- $75 (no Tee Shirt)
   (Oct. 17 through November 1)

   At The Door - $85 (no Tee Shirt)

There is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $20.00 per person after November 1, but the substitution of one registrant for another may be done at no cost.

Sincerely,
Youth Convention Task Force

Chip Taylor

Chip Taylor

Intern Academy

// Fountain Hills, AZ

Chip Taylor is a captivating speaker with a contagious love for Jesus and a huge heart for the church. He is passionate about developing leaders, caring for the marginalized, and impacting the world for Christ.

Chip loves being a “Papa”, fishing, golfing, football, and date nights with his wife. He is a graduate of Mid-America Christian University and a 30 year student ministry veteran.  He is the Director of the Intern Academy. Chip and Lori have two kids (Leah and Caleb), one son-n-love (Jacob) and one grandchild (JJ).

Kelsie Newman

Kelsie Newman

Kelsie Newman comes to us from Nashville, Tennessee. She is a Florida girl, born and raised, but moved to Tennessee in 2021 to pursue a music career. She was a worship pastor for 15 years and recently led worship for kids, youth and young adults in the US, Europe, Africa and Central America. She’s written and released her own music as well as co-written on an Upperroom album this year.

Her passion is to see young people encounter the Lord’s presence in raw, honest worship. There is no junior Holy Spirit, so she wants to equip the next generation with the powerful weapon of praise and gratitude for their journey ahead.

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SYC Scholarships Available

There are limited scholarships funds available for students that might not be able to attend without assistance. For more information, contact Adam Rentas at 269-235-1768 or adam.r@myfirstchurch.com. Churches desiring consideration should apply to Adam no later than October 1.


Convention Meals

  1. Groups will need to eat prior to the Friday night opening service. You are welcome to bring your own snacks to have in your rooms or share during group devotion time.
  2. Saturday & Sunday breakfasts- the hotels will supplying continental breakfasts. Groups could also bring additional food items for continental breakfasts together in the rooms. Kids love fruit, pop tarts, donuts, bagels, etc. You may want to ask if the hotel provides refrigerators in the rooms. This is for those BIG eaters or those late risers, or those not wanting to wait!
  3. Saturday noon- We are having Chick-Fil-A boxed lunches provided at the church. This is part of everyone’s registration fee. Exciting news!!
  4. Saturday evening dinner- Groups will need to budget for this meal & choose a location. Options & addresses will be made available for restaurants near the hotels and church.

Saturday Afternoon Free Time and Dinner

Check these area options online for prices, times and addresses.

Things to do:
Krasel Art Center; Silver Beach Carousel; Lumber Jax Urban Ax Throwing; Sarett Nature Center; Grand Mere State Park; Ice Skating Arena (John and Dede Howard Ice Arena)

Shops:

Edgewater Gifts; State Street Stuff; Gliks; Urban Garage Market; DK Boutique; Wanderlust Outfitters; Lana's Boutique

Cheaper Food Options:
Neon Grill; Cafe Tosi; Arriba (Mexican); Moes (Mexican); Five Guys; Qdoba (Mexican); China Garden (Chinese); Jimmy Johns; Baguette De France

Restaurants Downtown (Sit Down):
Schu's Bar and Grill; Tim's Too; The Buck; Azul (Mexican Restaurant); Silver Beach Pizza; Clementines Too; Papa Vinos; Silver Harbor Restaurant (Awesome stuffed Mac and Cheese Egg rolls!); Planks Tavern on the Water


Hotels

The Youth Convention Task Force has arranged for blocks of rooms in these hotels close to First Church. The rooms are on a first booked basis and come with a negotiated price. You do have the option to choose your own hotel.

Baymont by Wyndham
2601 W. Marquette Woods Rd.
Stevensville, MI 49127
269 428-9111
$92.65/ night + tax (with up to 4 in a room)
20 rooms available- double queens available. Continental breakfast available.
The code for the reduced price is 047-858-709. October 10 is the guaranteed cut-off date for this pricing.

Comfort Inn Suites Stevensville
2633 W. Marquette Woods Rd.
Stevensville, MI 49127
269 428-4888
Continental breakfast available.
$89.00/night (mention Michigan SYC/First Church).

Tru by Hilton
2683 W. Marquette Woods Rd.
Stevensville, MI 49127
269 429-4444
$112./night + tax (with up to 2 in a room; $122/ night for 3 in a room; $132 /night for 4 in a room)
Continental breakfast available.

Schedule

Friday, November 3

5:00 p.m.   Registration Opens
7:00 p.m.   Session doors open
8:00 p.m.   Session 1
9:30 p.m.   Free Time at Church (Pizza Party)
10:30 p.m.   Head to hotels

Saturday, November 4

9:30 a.m.   Session doors open
10:00 a.m.   Session 2
12:00 p.m.   Lunch (Chick-fil-a)
1:00 p.m.   Breakout Session 1
1:45 p.m.   BREAK
2:00 p.m.   Breakout Session 2
2:45 p.m.   BREAK
3:00 p.m.   Hangout at Upton Middle School
                        9 square, dodgeball, board games, and more
4:30 p.m.   Free Time (Dinner on your own)
6:30 p.m.   Session doors open
7:00 p.m.   Session 3
9:00 p.m.   Group processing & communion
10:00 p.m.   Head to hotels

Sunday, November 5

9:30 a.m.   Session doors open
10:00 a.m.   Session 4
12:00 p.m.   Head home


The local Hospital (hopefully not needed)

Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center
1234 Napier Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085


Registration

Convention Registration Price per Person

Now through 10/16:
     $75 per person
     (includes tee shirt)
10/16 – 11/1:
     $75 per person
     (no tee shirt)
At the door:
$85 per person (no tee shirt)

"equipping local congregations
to extend the Kingdom of God"

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