For Ariana Yoder, attending Momentum Youth Conference has become a cherished annual tradition, one that continues to shape her faith and her relationships. With four years of Momentum under her belt (including Momentum on the Road), this year’s experience proved to be just as impactful, filled with moments of fun, growth, and a deeper understanding of God’s love.

When asked about her favorite memory from this year’s conference, Ariana had a mix of lighthearted and profound experiences to share. On the lighter side, she fondly recalled participating in a group dance-off challenge. However, her most significant memories came from her conversations with others, especially the one with her brother. “I had a realization of God’s love for me,” Ariana said, emphasizing how these conversations led her to a deeper understanding of her faith. Another key conversation was with her friend Maggie, who she affectionately calls “the goat,” for being such an important and supportive figure in her spiritual journey.

While this year was filled with memorable experiences, Ariana also treasures the friendships and memories built over previous years at Momentum. A key highlight has always been reconnecting with friends from her time on Momentum’s travel teams. “Seeing people I went on travel teams with and revisiting all of the travel team’s memories was always so special,” she shared. For Ariana, the conference is not just about the powerful sessions and worship but also about reuniting with those who have walked alongside her on her spiritual path.

Of the many sessions that take place at Momentum, one in particular stood out for Ariana this year—Joel Firebaugh’s talk. “Joel Fireball,” she jokingly calls him, left a lasting impression with his message about the disciples. “He talked about who the disciples were, and how they were probably our age, and like, not great at school. That hit home.” This message, which emphasized how God can use anyone, regardless of their background or abilities, resonated deeply with Ariana, offering her a relatable perspective on how ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact for the Kingdom.

When it comes to activities, Ariana didn’t hesitate to name volleyball as her favorite. It wasn’t just about the game itself but the sense of community and camaraderie that formed on the court. Momentum provides a balance of spiritual and physical engagement, and for Ariana, volleyball was a fun and energizing way to bond with other attendees.

But beyond the physical activities, Ariana found some of her most impactful moments during her youth group time. “There are these moments at Momentum, often that I experience in our youth group time (cause we have the best youth group…duh), where I’m just like, I imagine this is kinda how God intended for church to be,” she said, reflecting on the sense of unity she felt within her group. The combination of learning, worshiping, and emotionally supporting one another brought Ariana closer to her peers and gave her a glimpse of the kind of authentic Christian community she longs for.

A consistent theme throughout Ariana’s time at Momentum has been experiencing God’s love in fresh, powerful ways. “The experiencing God’s love thing differently and more deeply has seemed to become a theme for me at Momentum Youth Conferences,” she reflected. Ariana cherishes the moments where she felt God’s love wash over her, especially those times when she realized just how deeply He cares for her personally. “The moments where I realized that God actually loves me is something I cling to,” she said. This profound truth has not only impacted her during the conference but has stayed with her throughout the year, giving her a renewed excitement for life and her faith.

As she looks toward the future, Ariana hopes the impact of Momentum will continue to be felt within her youth group. One particular moment of prayer has stuck with her—when the group surrounded their leaders, Tyler and Jordan, in prayer. “I hope we revisit the moment where we surrounded Tyler and Jordan in prayer,” Ariana said, expressing her desire for that spirit of unity and support to carry on throughout the year. She also hopes her group will continue the conversations they started at Momentum, particularly about how they can live differently and more intentionally in their walk with Christ.

For Ariana Yoder, Momentum Youth Conference is more than just a summer event—it’s a spiritual catalyst that leaves a lasting impact on her faith, her friendships, and her outlook on life. Each year she attends, she finds herself growing closer to God, surrounded by a community of believers who support and challenge her. And with the lessons and experiences from this year’s conference, she’s ready to carry that momentum into the rest of the year.