International Teen Talent Returning to General Assembly
Cleveland, TN—The Church of God International Youth and Discipleship department issued a statement last week announcing that Teen Talent will be returning to competition finals held at the Church of God International General Assembly in 2026.
The 2025 International Teen Talent will remain at Lee University next summer, being held July 28-August 1, 2025, before moving to the site of the 80th General Assembly in Orlando, Florida, set for July 27-31, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
According to Bishop Brian Yaun, International Youth and Discipleship Director for the Church of God, the decision came by popular and increasing demand for the youth of the Church of God to share the stage with the denomination’s global convention, which it did until 2010.
“As General Overseer Dr. Gary Lewis emphasizes reaching, credentialing, and sending teenagers into ministry, this return to the General Assembly will allow even more teenagers and families to be a special part of our biennial celebration,” Yaun stated. “Our youth are a vibrant and gifted part of our global movement, and we want to give them every opportunity to use their gifts for God’s glory for all the Church of God to see. Not only will our delegates from around the world get to see how talented our NextGen students are, but it will also expose our students to how God is moving beyond their local church and region. It’s yet another opportunity to bring us together as one big, global family.”
Included in the statement released to state and regional youth directors and on the Youth and Discipleship social media channels, it was announced there will not be an International Junior Talent held in 2026.
“Leadership tried to find a way to hold both events at the 2026 International General Assembly, but could not facilitate both because of space, staffing needs, and cost,” Yaun stated. To accommodate 12-year-olds who would have missed their last year of competition in 2026, the age of eligibility for 2027 International Junior Talent will be (7-13). After the 2027 competition, the age of eligibility for Junior Talent will return to its normal range (7-12). International Junior Talent will relocate to Lee University beginning in the summer of 2027.
“This will allow our children to still have their own dedicated moments on the stage,” Yaun said. “We are excited to continue our department’s relationship with our flagship school, which has been a world-class host to International Teen Talent since 2011.”
Teen Talent has been a vital part of the International Youth and Discipleship Department for over six decades, empowering students to develop and grow in their gifts. Through opportunities in music, art, drama, multimedia, creative writing, and Bible, both Teen Talent and Junior Talent will continue to nurture the next generation of leaders.
