More info and interest form for Summit 2026

Rev. Thom Lamb
Summit manager and retired pastor

GenOn Youth Summit
Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1, 2026
Wheeling University in Wheeling, WV

1. We need it! We can’t deny that we live in a divided world. Through the Youth Summit GenOn seeks to break down the walls that divide us.  By offering a week of intentional Christian community, where all are welcomed and treated as children of God and we learn to live out our faith by following Christ. 
   
   
2. Growing intergenerational Christian relationships. The relationships built during Summit provide another layer of support as we seek to live in the light of Christ’s love for all people. Several of the current adult core leaders of Summit began attending as youth.  Other adult leaders have been committed to Summit for years.  These relationships are built on a foundation of Christ’s love and have proven to strengthen the youth ministries in our local churches. 

3. We seek to minister to the whole person. Summit provides a safe place for youth from rising 9^th grade through young adulthood to explore what it means to live out our faith through Bible study, worship, mission and outreach, play, and shared meals. This week of intentional Christian community provides a foundation that can be built upon week to week through the local churches.  

4. We engage in local mission. One of the hallmarks of living out our faith is reaching out beyond ourselves to folks in need.  At Summit we dedicate three afternoons to engage in local missions.  Over the years, this has included soup kitchens, nursing homes, rehab projects, animal rescue, and thrift stores, to name a few.  This has provided the youth and their leaders with hands on experience that has helped us all to see Christ in the face of our sisters and brothers in need. 

5. No bystanders. One of our new core leaders mentioned, “This is the first youth event I have ever attended where the adults are actively engaged in all the activities.”  The norm in youth ministry has been adults serve as chaperones, sort of standing in the background.  At Summit all adult leaders who come take on some form of leadership.  The youth and adults walk side by side through all aspects of the program, which helps form genuine connections. 

6.  It’s fun!

Please reach out to Kelly Burnett, Summit Coordinator, at [email protected] and she will be happy to help answer any questions you might have!

Testimonies from youth and adults who have attended Summit

“Over the past 30 plus years I have seen lives transformed by the love of Christ.  As a pastor, I have found that no other conference has had the power to build significant intergenerational relationships that have served to build up the body of Christ.”
Rev. Thom Lamb

“Attending GenOn as a youth has provided me with so much. From friends, to faith, to my calling in life as a minister of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA, the GenOn Youth Summit is near and dear to my heart.  I am so thankful to God for providing me a worthwhile experience as a teen that has shaped by entire life.”
Rev. Toby Montgomery, Current Summit Director, former youth attendee

“The Logos/GenOn program shaped my life of faith and sense of call to ministry in profound ways.  In our local congregation, the weekly intergenerational gatherings provided me with role models in faith and a community to which I knew I belonged.  Annual conferences each summer introduced me to the larger church and pastors from around the country, many of whom served as important dialogue partners as I discerned a sense of call to ministry.  I know I would not be the person I am today without the impact of this incredible ministry!”
Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon, Marianne and E.G. Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, former youth attendee

“I finally found a camp that I could enjoy and feel comfortable/at home at!  People (adults most importantly) will try to talk to you and get to know you.  I really loved that about GenOn!”
2025 youth participant

“Summit has been the most honest, open & welcoming experience … ever!”
Summit 2025 adult participant

“I had a light-bulb moment at Summit that I needed to have more responsibility for my faith journey the whole year long instead of only adults providing opportunities.”
Summit 2025 youth participant

“I felt supported (in my leadership role) and the guidance I received was more than enough!  I expected to praise God and meet new people … which was met!!!”
Summit 2025 young adult participant