by Hannah Castro
Here and now—that’s exactly where and how God is moving. He isn’t just the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He isn’t simply the God of the Old Testament, stuck in history. He didn’t retire after the Book of Acts. He is present, and He is moving Here & Now.
That was the theme of this year’s LIFE Conference, the 4.5-day gathering of the next generation of the Alliance family. At the beginning of July, over 5,500 teenagers, ages 13–19, assembled at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, seeking the Lord in His fullness and responding to His call.
Held every three years, LIFE is the largest and most anticipated gathering in the Alliance movement. For many students, it’s the highlight of their high school years. The way God speaks and moves through LIFE is powerful and lasting. Many Alliance international workers and ministry leaders trace their call to vocational ministry back to a moment at LIFE. When people show up with open hearts, God shows up in power.
Throughout the week, students engaged in powerful main stage messages, praised the Lord with HeartRoom Worship, packed over 1,000 backpacks for local schools in a service experience, ran a 5K, and attended breakout sessions led by experts who spoke on topics ranging from calling, to hearing God’s voice, to revival—with over 50 different options to choose from throughout the week.
They participated in the Prayer Experience—Scripture-inspired spaces that provided a powerful journey of prayer, reflection, and worship; the Justice Experience—a vivid, walk-through environment designed to open students’ eyes to everyday injustices around the globe; and the Missions Experience—an immersive, sensory walk-through where students encountered the heart of God for lost people and were invited into His mission to seek and save the lost.
That mission was evident through the almost $117,000 given to the LIFE Offering, which supported two meaningful initiatives in Europe—the purchase of vital equipment for a new sensory gym being built for families with children who have special needs in Bordeaux, France, and helping to advance LIFE Conference in the Netherlands. We praise the Lord for His provision of funds and for stirring generosity in students’ hearts!
Lives were transformed—people were healed, many accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, prayers were answered, doors were unlocked, hearts were opened, and God showed up. Over 800 students also responded to a call to ministry, and almost as many attended a breakout session for those who felt the Lord’s nudging in their hearts! There, Alliance Youth introduced a new platform to help engage with students on their journeys of taking the next steps in ministry.
We praise God for all He did at LIFE 2025. Please continue to pray that those who attended will continue pursuing Jesus with passion and boldness. God is not finished. He is still moving—here and now.
“I went into LIFE thinking I already had a pretty good plan of wanting to do missions. I was already thinking, I’m going into missions, but either my mind will get changed at LIFE or it’ll get even more fueled with wanting to go serve other people. I feel like I came out with so much more. God definitely confirmed to me that I’m going to do missions and I’m going to serve. I began to feel God speak to me in so many ways.
I had the privilege of praying for people—and I’m not the kind of person that speaks out and asks if I can pray for others. I really witnessed how much one prayer can do for someone, and it was fuel for me to want to go and serve other people. I don’t normally pray for people because I’m afraid to mess up, but God really just spoke the words through me, and that was amazing to see.”
—Hudson, age 18
“I was called into missions at LIFE. I had felt some of that calling before, but it was really solidified there. Seeing others also feel a similar call made me feel less alone in it. I knew then that it was definitely God speaking to me. I didn’t have to doubt it anymore, and I didn’t have to question whether of not it was Him speaking to me or if it was just my own self wanting to go into mission. I also feel more eager now to go into my community and tell others about Jesus. I saw so many people doing that at LIFE, and they did it so easily. Hearing their stories and testimonies made me feel like I didn’t need to be scared of my calling anymore.
There were some girls in the group I came with that were non-believers—they’ve been coming to church for a shorter amount of time than I have, but they have grown so much. I was very proud of them for coming to a Christian conference when they didn’t even believe in God. By the end of our time at LIFE, four girls in my group decided to give their lives to Jesus!”
—Julia, age 15
“I know it sounds redundant, but LIFE is truly life changing. I found strength—like I never knew I had before—to give a testimony in front of hundreds of people and the courage to follow God’s commands to search for and receive healing. I’ve prayed before, as many people have, that God would break my heart for what breaks His, but I’ve never felt it before that Monday night at LIFE.
I’ve felt it every moment since. Looking around to see those my age cry out for help and healing, to see and hear prayer, to see the acceptance of Jesus, it felt like my heart was shattering in the most beautiful and joyful way possible. Throughout the week, I saw people I knew—that I’d never seen respond with emotion openly—shatter and respond joyfully to God. In our youth group, I truly saw transformation on the deepest level. It felt like every moment was used for God’s purpose. Every moment had an impact on at least one person, bringing to light deep pain or sorrow and transforming it into overwhelming joy and peace and purpose.
From the start of the week to the end, there was a ramping up of the Spirit in that building. And when it came to a head, the response and the presence of God were palpable. God was moving at LIFE, and He continues to move in each student and leader. God was in Indy, and God is at home, here and now.”
—Blaine, age 18
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