Young adults from across the Pacific Northwest gathered in Seattle, Washington, for the third-annual North Pacific Union Young Adult Outreach Summit, where momentum for young adult-driven mission and outreach is growing.
Over two days, Sept. 12–13, at Volunteer Park Church, they shared worship, networking connections, ministry idea sharing and presented pitches for ministry funding during Spark Tank 2025.
Building Connections
Kevin Wilson, international speaker, author, pastor and entrepreneur, opened the dynamic weekend with a message on Friday evening on table theology — a theological entry point into ministering with people who are the “other.”
“The burden and blessing of Adventism is that we are not given the luxury of choosing who to love,” Wilson said as he encouraged listeners to connect with others, regardless of differences in beliefs or backgrounds. Wilson carried the theme of building connections throughout the weekend.
Young Adults in Action
Saturday began with Young Adults in Action, where last year’s Spark Tank winners shared how their ministry outreach ideas came to life.
Storyline Church in Eugene, Oregon, built a solidarity wall at University of Oregon, sparking meaningful connections with students around shared struggles. This opened the door for ongoing campus presence, including small groups and an invitation to host a table at this year’s back-to-school event, where they had a mini-solidarity wall.
Summit Northwest Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, hosted camping and paddleboarding trips designed to build friendships and open space for natural faith conversations. Their event attendance has greatly increased through their outdoor adventures leading to additional faith-based interactions.
Mount Tabor Church in Portland, Oregon, developed a role-playing Adventist game called Peculiar People— a creative way to spark discussion about the peculiarities of Adventism in small groups. The game and its companion podcast are available online at peculiar-people.com.
LifeBridge Church in University Place, Washington, organized a free dental clinic, that served 162 patients in two days. The effort not only met practical needs but also drew new people into the church community and recruited volunteers for a follow-up clinic.
“We are all seeing the impact of young adults who are engaging missionally,” said Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult ministries director. “There’s a special momentum that’s building between church plants and Spark Tank support. What started small is now growing. More young adults are getting involved, sharing their faith and already talking about their plans for next year.”
Uniting in Worship
After a short break, the sanctuary filled with a mix of event participants and Volunteer Park Church members for church. “It’s exciting to see so many faces from across the northwest gathering for inspiration and motivation,” said Abner Campos, Volunteer Park Church pastor, as he welcomed visitors.
Continuing with his weekend theme, Wilson spoke on reconciliation — the act of two or more parties coming together to a single point so that all parties are simultaneously transformed. “Ministers of reconciliation must prioritize connection over conversion, creation over complacence, and curiosity over condemnation,” he said.
Wilson encouraged event participants to focus on building bridges as they develop ministry ideas that connect communities.
“This weekend has inspired me [to reflect on] how I approach relationships and how I represent Jesus to other people,” said Ella Macario, Washington Conference attendee.
Participants wasted no time building bridges as they connected with young adults from other conferences over lunch and afternoon activities. “Unexpectedly, the weekend became a sort of reunion where young adults saw friends from the past and worshipped together. I saw strangers become family in a short period of time through eating, worship and creative challenges crafted around mission to their local communities,” said Campos.
Spark Tank 2025
The highlight of the summit weekend was Spark Tank 2025. Eleven teams pitched innovative ministry ideas to a panel of NPUC representatives.
Thanks to ministry supporters, up to $10,000 in matching funds were available for each project, with a total of $70,000 awarded. Each team with their pitch needs to submit a budget and a commitment from the local church to match the funding.
Hillsboro Spanish Church shared plans, via Zoom, to expand their Impact Service outreach program, which already provides 75 weekly food boxes. With Spark Tank support, they hope to serve 200 families with hygiene items and create an ongoing resource hub.
In Tacoma, two brothers, who came to faith themselves through small group experiences, are part of a team launching a microchurch built around “passion groups” — gatherings that connect people on common ground and open space for faith connections.
Living Word in Oregon City, Oregon, is growing its Soul Place Ministry, which draws 100-150 people to outdoor music and faith gatherings and connects with 300-500 viewers with online music content designed to reach Eastern European refugees and immigrants who are seeking identity in Christ.
Rekindle Ministry in Idaho is pursuing two creative projects: art nights that help combat loneliness among young adults, and Jam and Bread, a gathering that blends music with Bible study.
Three co-vocational church planters pitched a “Love Our City Week” project for their Blessed Hope church plant in Washington. The church plant plans to host a week of community service projects next July in collaboration with Tacoma-area Adventist churches and community partners.
In Lacey, Washington, a new center of influence called Creative Juices is taking shape to provide a creative hub for the community. They plan to offer a cafe, music studio, video studio and innovation rooms among other creative outreach ideas.
Lifebridge Church, only three years old and already planting churches, is planning a Kindling Hearts Project next February. Their goal: to provide 400 love packages for the community following by a celebration and Bible study invitations.
After surveying their community, Spokane Valley Spanish is launching Heavenly Sounds music lessons, offering free instruction in keyboards, guitars and drums with an experienced music teacher. surveyed their community and found a need for free or low-cost music lessons. The six-month training will culminate with a recital celebration. Their Spark Tank funding will cover extra instruments, with instrument donations also accepted.
Triumph Church in Renton, Washington, is a growing young adult church plant that is already finding ways to invest in the next generation. Triumph members are already planning a Back-to-School kids’ day and family outreach for next year.
And in Puyallup, Washington, the new Hope City church plant is building momentum in the South Hill area through community gatherings, info meetings, preview worship sessions and focus groups ahead of their official launch. Their efforts have already gained 10 new Bible student interests.
Unexpected Impact
David Kebert’s team had just wrapped up their Spark Tank pitch for Hope City when he added a surprising confession: He isn’t even an Adventist — at least not yet.
“I wasn’t even a church member when I first got involved — just someone searching for purpose,” Kebert explained in a later interview. “I remember wishing I could do something meaningful, something that brought young people together in a safe, welcoming place without drugs, alcohol or high costs. After about six months of being part of the church, I am now preparing for baptism. Through this [church planting] project, God has made that dream real.”
For Kebert, the project isn’t just about statistics, demographics or funding goals. It’s deeply personal. Hope City’s mission to reach one of the most unchurched regions in North America mirrors his own journey from isolation to belonging in a spiritual family.
Big Picture
“Spark Tank isn’t just about funding; it’s about empowering young adults, fostering long-term relationships and creating stepping stones to deeper conversations,” Lang said. “We’re asking: What do we do with the connections young adults are forming in their communities? How do we help them bring people to the heart of God? Through collaboration, ongoing dialogue and continued prayer, we see this as an opportunity to grow forward together and become more effective for the Lord.”
That vision will continue next fall when Spark Tank gathers again — this time in Spokane — to fuel even more young adult mission and ministry innovations and initiatives.
