Registration for 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium nearing launch

July 16-20 event has increased funding for delegations

by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — Registration for the largest event in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — the Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2019 — will launch soon.

While hundreds of volunteer PYT registrars throughout the PC(USA) and Cumberland Presbyterian Church are planning, recruiting and raising funds, the national team is testing new digital forms and running “ghost” registrations to identify any problems.

“We’re currently shoring up the foundation of this mega event,” says PYT Director Gina Yeager-Buckley. “We’re closer to the date of July 16, 2019 — when thousands of anxious but curious and excited young Presbyterians will arrive by bus or plane to Purdue University for the 13th Triennium.”

Yeager-Buckley is particularly pleased that there will be an increased amount of funding available to presbyteries and churches attending as delegations to Triennium in 2019 — for long distance travel and registration needs.

Generous partners like Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Financial Aid for Service, UKirk (collegiate ministries) and Pentecost Special Offering funds are assisting delegations with specific needs.

For example, delegations coming to Triennium from presbyteries in Puerto Rico — impacted by Hurricane Maria — are eligible for travel and registration grants made possible by PDA and the Pentecost Special Offering.

“There’s always been enthusiastic support and engagement from various PC(USA) agencies for Triennium,” says Yeager-Buckley. “But now there is a profound showing of both programmatic and financial support from all areas of the church.”

PYT 2019 travel and grant registration information will be available soon on the Triennium website — and it’ll be communicated among all PYT registrars.

Yeager-Buckley also announced the five preachers for the July 16-20, 2019 event. Speakers were chosen based on their care of young people and their connection to theology and music. The 2019 Triennium theme “Here’s My Heart” comes directly from a historic hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

“The preachers (listed below) are extraordinary,” says Yeager-Buckley. “Each has a unique voice, with great individual gifts and creativity to present the PYT theme grid and the gospel to this generation of Christ’s disciples.”

• Sera Chung, Director of Recruitment, Princeton Theological Seminary: PC(USA) pastor, musician, seminary faculty and experienced cultural/theological leader
• Dr. David Gambrell, Presbyterian Mission Agency worship associate: PC(USA) pastor, writer, musician, hymnologist, and storyteller
• Sandra Van Opstel, second generation Latina, executive pastor at Grace and Peace Community: Renowned speaker, preacher, storyteller and creative worship catalyst
• Johan Daza: Cross cultural and migrant ministries coordinator for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
•  Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): a powerful, connective leader with a nationally recognized voice in faith, discipleship and justice

Triennium has also put together The Nettletons, a “band” of experienced musicians, youth workers, preachers and activists. Band members draw their name from “Nettleton,” the hymn tune for “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

“With a hymn for theme and a congregation of 5,000 plus young Presbyterians,” says Yeager-Buckley, “music is key to the 2019 Triennium.”

 Interested in engaging more deeply with the Triennium? Consider serving and applying to be a PYT Small Group Leader. Young adults 23 or older who have experience leading young people in biblical content and in community building will facilitate small groups of approximately 25 youth a day with custom lessons on Triennium’s daily scripture and theme, connecting them to a mission priority and discipleship opportunity. For more information about small groups or to apply online, click here.