International Youth Congress 2027 launched at IHQ

The gathering also celebrated the unveiling of the official International Youth Congress 2027 logo, designed by Savannah Archer from The Salvation Army in Australia. Chosen from more than 70 submissions from around the world, the vibrant design reflects worship, diversity and unity. Savannah was online to witness the announcement and said she felt called by God to use her creative gifts in service of God’s mission.

BY IHQ COMMUNICATIONS

There is just under a year to go until The Salvation Army’s International Youth Congress 2027 (IYC27), to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15-20 July next year.

The countdown officially began on Thursday 16 July 2026 during family prayers at The International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, where staff and guests gathered 12 months ahead of the congress.

Centred on the theme ‘Empowering a Generation’, the congress will bring together approximately 2500 young adults aged 18 to 25 from The Salvation Army around the world (The Salvation Army now operates in more than 130 countries).

Delegates will focus on deepening their relationship with God, discerning God’s calling on their lives and returning home equipped to serve as Christ-centred leaders in their churches (corps), communities and nations.

Opening the gathering, International Youth and Children’s Officer Major Juanita Wright welcomed those attending in person and online, including representatives from The Salvation Army in Indonesia, the International Youth Congress planning teams and members of the International Children and Youth Advisory Group.

“Today is more than just the launch of the International Youth Congress,” said Major Wright. “It’s a declaration of our collective commitment to our young people across the globe … We see you, we hear you, you matter!”

To watch the launch video, click on the arrow below.

IYC Coordinator Major Ian F. Payne and IHQ Youth and Children Specialist Kevyn Oliver shared the vision for the congress, describing it as an opportunity to invest intentionally in young leaders and listen to their voices.

Their ideas would be incorporated into the planning of the Congress and would equip them to serve confidently in their local corps, communities and nations.

They invited Salvationists around the world to begin praying intentionally for every stage of the preparations over the coming year.

Leaders at IHQ launched IYC27 with now less than one year to go to the event.

General endorses congress

General Lyndon Buckingham gave his wholehearted endorsement to the International Youth Congress, describing it as a vision born through prayer and affirmed by senior international Salvation Army leaders at the International Conference of Leaders in March 2026.

Reflecting on Proverbs 16:3, he encouraged Salvationists everywhere to commit every stage of the preparations to God.

“As we continue to seek his guidance, his wisdom and his blessing, as we plan, as we pray, as we engage, then I think as a global Army there can be within our hearts a sense of expectation that something groundbreaking, ground-shifting, movement-moving is going to happen as a result of our commitment to this event,” he said.

General Lyndon Buckingham endorsing IYC27 at the recent launch.

Prayer remained at the heart of the launch as leaders prayed for every aspect of the congress. Intercessions covered the international planning teams, the Indonesian hosts, the International Children and Youth Advisory Group, the selection of delegates and the spiritual impact of the gathering.

There were prayers for wisdom, unity and protection for those organising the event, and that God would already be preparing the hearts of the young adults who will gather in Indonesia next July. Participants also prayed that delegates would return home inspired, equipped and empowered to serve Christ and the world in their local communities and across the global Salvation Army.

To read the original story on The Salvation Army International website, click here.