The International Youth Convention of the Church of God, better known as IYC, was launched in 1924 as a youth day. In 1930, the first three-day, biennial youth convention was held. Over the years that have followed, International Youth Conventions have been held in all regions of the United States—as well as in three Canadian provinces. In the late 1990s, the Youth Ministry Team developed an overall purpose statement for IYC: to create a moment for life change. This purpose drives everything that happens at the convention. Because of IYC, thousands of young men and women have made life-changing decisions. Hundreds have decided to go into full-time vocational ministry or missions, and hundreds more have indicated they are serious about living as Christ-centered leaders. 

Since 1992, participants have given back to each host city with over $1,000,000 worth of total volunteer service hours. Still, the giving goes beyond the IYC host cities. Since 1998, nearly thousands of attendees have participated in IYC-related mission experiences in eleven countries. Over 42,000 students and leaders have attended IYC since 2002. IYC wants to make a lasting difference. Since 2006, IYC has partnered with churches in communities where the event has been held to help plant churches and serve in various ways with existing churches. IYC also helps to nurture a giving heart and a lifetime focus on others. Collectively, students have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of missions, both locally and globally.

IYC welcomes all churches and leaders from any Bible-believing church group or denomination.

Planning begins four to five years in advance. The Church of God Ministries & IYC leaders visit the convention city to contract with the convention center and the hotels.

Several years ago, the Youth Ministry Team (YMT) decided on a sequence of four rotating cities (San Antonio, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and Nashville, Tennessee) with the option of a fifth wildcard city. These cities provide different types of experiences for students from all areas of the country.

Once the city is confirmed, the Student Leadership Team (SLT) meets with the YMT in the convention city around eighteen months before the upcoming convention. Together, through much prayer and discussion, they set the theme, schedule, and decide on artists and speakers. They come back together around one year prior to the convention to complete the student conference schedule and select the leaders of those conferences.

CGM & IYC key staff members make numerous trips during the two-year period between conventions to make sure that things are in order for you to have a great experience. Everything we do is driven by one question: “Does Will this help create a moment for life change?” We never seek to do anything at IYC that doesn’t set attendees up for that a powerful connection to God and the Holy Spirit.

Additionally, we believe that prayer unleashes God’s power; therefore, hundreds of prayer partners start to pray for the convention months before it starts; a prayer guide goes out to all churches in the early months of the convention year; the name of every preregistered attendee is sent to a prayer counselor to pray over before the convention; the day before the event our on-site staff and team of prayer intercessors are praying for IYC participants.

As IYC2024 approaches, begin to pray with us for that moment of life change for all who attend.

The 54th International Youth Convention of the Church of God to be held in Orlando, Florida.

Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, FL 32821

IYC is a four-day biennial gathering of junior and senior high school students and their adult leaders.

The convention will be held Thursday, June 27 – Sunday, June 30, 2024.

How are the dates for IYC decided?

Rates of hotels and city availability play into what dates we choose.  Often, we find the week of July 4 offers some of the best hotel rates, which is why we have had IYC over the holiday in recent years. In addition to this, the holiday allows some adult leaders to participate in IYC while using fewer vacation days to cover their time away from work.  Also, many school systems declare a “moratorium” during this week of July, which means student athletes are more likely to be able to participate in IYC without missing events or practices.

IYC is an opportunity for life change.

You will find that this experience is unique for each participant.  God does some amazing things at IYC and brings about life change in both great and small ways.  It may be a challenge to change, growth in relationships in a youth group, a first step toward salvation, or a calling to vocational ministry.  How will God work in your life and in the lives of your students?  Here are some stories from people who experienced life change at a previous IYC.

The theme for IYC2024 is ORIGINS.

All attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation to IYC. For those flying into Orlando, we recommend the Orlando International Airport (MCO). The airport is about 25 minutes from the IYC Convention Center & Hotel. The hotel DOES NOT offer airport shuttle service.  Uber, shuttles, and taxies typically cost around $30-$40, one-way. You might want to consider thinking outside the box – looking at a limo service or private van service, for example.

For groups without transportation wishing to spend a day at a water park or theme park before or after the convention, there are various transportation companies in the Orlando area available to take you to/from those locations.

ALL WAIVERS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.  WAIVERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS WHO WILL BE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AT THE BEGINNING OF IYC – JUNE 27, 2024.

Give the link below to students/parents.  There is a place at the bottom of the waiver where parents may enter an email address to receive a copy of the signed waiver. Group leaders may want to consider giving parents their own email address to use, so that leaders can receive and track waivers as they are submitted.  We recommend texting this to parents during an IYC informational meeting, so they can sign and submit on the spot, using their smart phones.  Laptops, iPads, tablets, etc. may also be used. At least one parent must sign for each minor child attending IYC2024. The updated waiver is available here: [LINK COMING SOON]

We expect students and leaders to dress in a way that is respectful and honoring to God.

What should I pack for IYC?

Not sure exactly what to pack for your time with us at IYC? Below is a sample packing list to help you get started.

• Bible, notebook, and a pen
• Clothes for however many days your trip is (shorts, t-shirts, etc.)
• Sweatshirt or a light jacket (the AC keeps it cold inside the convention center)
• Sneakers and/or closed-toed shoes
• Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
• Medications (original containers placed inside a clear zip lock bag with the student’s name)
• Swimsuit (modest)
• Towel
• Sunscreen/Sunblock
• Small bag/fanny pack or book bag
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle (reusable)
• Snacks
• Photo I.D. (Required to fly if you are 18 years or older)
• Spending money
  • $20-$30 for Missions offering
  • IYC merchandise (t-shirts will range from $17-$20 with 4+ options to choose from)
  • Merchandise from IYC artists
  • Snacks (Starbucks, ice cream or treats nearby the hotel)

There are numerous restaurants available within close driving distance of the hotel, but none are available by foot (hotel location is on a Highway with no sidewalks). There are several food options within the hotel. Here are some tips for you:

• • Breakfast—Consider bringing easy breakfast items with you, such as granola bars, dry cereal, instant oatmeal, etc. and/or plan a trip to a local grocery store to buy these items and keep them in your room during the convention. There is a mini-fridge in every hotel room for cold items. Don’t have transportation? Consider doing an online order for your group with a grocery store, schedule a designated pick-up time, then take a taxi or Uber to pick up all your food at once. We’re sure your students would be happy to meet you in the lobby to unload all the goodies!
  • Food Delivery – You can order food from local restaurants and have them delivered to the hotel. 
  • Convention Center—NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER. Please follow this guideline that they have given us.
  • Outside the hotel—There are a lot of options outside the hotel for those with AND without transportation. The area is full of restaurants and shops. If you plan to eat at a restaurant, we recommend calling ahead to see if they take reservations or call ahead seating.

Is there a mission experience before or after IYC that I can be involved with?

We are not offering a group missions experience in conjunction with IYC2024, but you are welcome to pursue your own options for a pre/post-IYC mission experience.

Will there be a Missions Offering at IYC?

Yes, there will be two opportunities for students to give to Missions, and those funds will be used to continue providing tools for evangelism around the world. Our focus projects will be church planting in Amazonia and home churches in France. Our goal is for each person to give at least $20 in the offering.  If we do that, we can raise over $60,000 at IYC2024.

Due to the unique location and setting of the Hotel, we will NOT be doing Impact Day at IYC2024. We will have several different mission experiences available throughout IYC. More info on these experiences will be available soon. Stay tuned!

The IYC High School Band consists of students who are current 9th-12th grade students, selected from CHOG congregations from around North America, under the direction of Jake Seaton. To audition for the IYC High School Band, click here.

IYC is a convention that is FOR teenagers primarily planned BY teenagers! The IYC Student Leadership Team consists of students selected from around North America that have been nominated by their Youth Pastor/Senior Pastor. These students meet several times to establish the IYC theme, specific speakers and artists, as well as the breakout sessions and other components of IYC. To nominate a student for the IYC2026 Student Leadership Team, click here: [LINK COMING SOON]

Stay tuned for more info on the 5K!

Churches may apply for tax exemption in Florida and, if eligible, save a portion of the sales tax from your hotel rooms.

To be eligible for the exemption, Florida law requires that nonprofit organizations obtain a sales tax exemption certificate (Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption, Form DR-14) from the Florida Department of Revenue.

Click here for more information:  https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/businesses/Pages/nonprofit_sales_tax.aspx

Churches will need to apply as religious institutions with an established Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). 

Once you have received your tax exemption paperwork, make copies and bring it with you to IYC. Turn in a copy at the hotel desk upon check-in to save a portion of the sales tax off your rooms. You might be able to use the additional copies at various restaurants and for activities, etc. – it never hurts to ask!

Remember that in order to use tax exemption, payment must be made with a church credit card or check.

This process could take several weeks to complete, so we recommend starting the process early on.

What type of seating will there be for the main sessions at IYC2024? We will all be in one ballroom at IYC2024. There will be staggered admission by geographical region, based on the color of attendee wristband.

Will there be an offering time at IYC2024? Yes, we are asking everyone to set a goal to bring $20 or more for the Missions offering. Funds are used for evangelism around the world!

What is the pre-convention prayer service? This is a focused time of prayer and worship that anyone may attend. You do not have to be checked in or wear your wristband/lanyard to get in.

What do you recommend for tipping during IYC? As you plan your trip to IYC, include tip money in your budget. A tip shows our appreciation, and we want to represent IYC by showing others the generosity that Christ has shown to us. Let’s be a blessing to the people of Orlando! Here are some general tipping guidelines:

• • Restaurant and coffee shop servers: 18% minimum, 20% recommended
  • Baggage handlers at airport, hotel: $1-$2 per bag
  • Airport limo, van, and shuttle drivers: $1-$2 per bag
  • Taxi drivers: 10%-15%, minimum of $1
  • Parking valets: $2 minimum
  • Room service: Check your bill to see if service fee is included. If not, tip 17%-20%.
  • Tour guides: $1-$2 per person
  • Hotel housekeepers: $1-$2 per person, per day