Ilana Lobbezoo
Missions Mobilizer and Youth Catalyst
DEEPER LIFE SUMMIT 2025
in review
There is little else more hopeful and invigorating than a chapel full of high schoolers and their leaders bursting out in praise and worship to Jesus! Though a retreat such as Deeper Life Summit (DLS) requires much planning and demands considerable energy to execute, such an event creates memories and is, without a doubt, a faith building event for everyone who attends.
DLS 2025 proved to be all of that as 350 youth and adults from 14 churches around our district gathered at Muskoka Bible Centre, and were once again challenged to go deeper in their faith and on mission with Jesus where they are planted.
This year's main session theme and breakout sessions were focused on the work and power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
Shane Gould, Central District Superintendent, was our main session speaker. Shane provided the group with sound Biblical teaching on what it means to encounter Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This teaching was interspersed with practical prayer ministry experiences, and the weekend culminated with a Sunday morning worship session that included testimonies of God's work in the lives students and taking communion together. The morning ended with prayer ministry for the students attending. The break out sessions on Saturday afternoon provided additional teaching on the Holy Spirit. Students chose from topics ranging from answering questions regarding who is the Holy Spirit, to how to hear the voice of the Spirit, and how to serve in the power of the Spirit.
Besides these spiritual elements, the retreat creates an environment for group bonding and fun away from the normal rhythms and distractions of home.
For many it is an encouraging reflection of the broader family of Christ and an opportunity for teenagers to experience a large community of faith within their own age demographic.
I would like to take this opportunity to express special appreciation to the members of the planning committee: Andrian Ranoarison - Director of Student Ministries at Heritage Parke Alliance Church, Jireh Maing - English Ministries Pastor at Hamilton Chinese Alliance Church, Nathan Martin - Pastor of Student Ministries at Paramount Drive Alliance Church. We are also grateful to the leaders who volunteered to lead breakout sessions: Stacy O'Kelly - Midland Alliance Church, Nick Kennedy - Owen Sound Alliance Church, Regan Neudorf - Director of New Ventures, Dan Martin - Assistant District Superintendent, Kris Corbin - Envision Canada, and Jireh Maing.
We were also extremely blessed and thankful for the gifted leadership of the worship band from Heritage Park Alliance Church. Without the assistance of the many volunteers the weekend would not have been the success that it was.
This district wide high school retreat event has been a tradition within our district for decades and is designed to bless the youth ministries of our churches across our district. As has been the case in the past, it was clear that the God's Spirit was present, moving and creating change and new life in the lives of many who attended.
Our prayer is that this renewal only serves to create spiritual momentum in each local youth ministry represented, within their local church context and beyond to the communities and schools each church serves.
If your church has yet to participate I would strongly encourage you to consider taking advantage of the opportunity at Deeper Life Summit (DLS) 2026. Watch for dates, venue and more information posted on the Next Gen website page.
