The 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium took place 7/19-7/23 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Twenty-two youth and four adults from the Presbytery of Ohio Valley made the trip. Below are some short summaries of what Triennium was like for some of our participants:

“Triennium was really awesome! Worship was really fun and we learned a lot from the sermons! I really enjoyed trading pins and recreation! The Pause Prayer Center was also really cool! My best memory of Triennium is Friday night, where everybody threw glowsticks in the air once it got to the chorus of Fireworks by Katy Perry! The food was also amazing!”

— Samuel Ford

“This was my second time at PYT and my experience was just as wonderful but very different from last time. I loved that we bonded much more as a delegation this year and I made so many friends that I want to stay in touch with for a long time. Also the pastors who spoke were so incredible and empowering. After this experience I feel much stronger in my faith. I wish I could keeping going!”

— Hannah Frey

“It was a whole new experience just like the first time I went. I got to meet new people with different views and backgrounds and sometimes and completely different perspective than mine. It was and will be one of the greatest experiences I have ever had the privilege of having.”

— Alec Hooker

“Hey this is Zoe! Oh geez describe Triennium in a few sentences that’s hard. Triennium this year was a way different experience than 3 years ago, this year I strengthened my faith and got some answers to questions that could only be answered through God. Not to mention I met many wonderful people that I am still keeping in touch with on a daily! This Triennium is the one I will never forget!”

— Zoe Pierce

“It was awesome. It was hot. My favorite memory is bowling with 4 youth down in the bowling alley at the student union. It is great for students to see speakers from across the country about relevant and compelling topics. I also loved that they were able to have bible studies in groups. It would have been nice if they were smaller, but it was great they were still able to do a bible study over what the session talk was about instead of just hearing at the main session.”

— Connor Scanlon, adult advisor

“I thought the 2013 Triennium was amazing. Then I went to the 2016 Triennium. I was nervous that I was expecting more out of it than what I was actually going to get, and boy was I wrong. It was incredible! I would go once a month, if that was even possible! Not only did I form lifelong friendships with people from all over the country, but I also grew in my relationship with God. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.”

— Crimson Tennis

“This was my second experience at Triennium and I can say that it was enriching and wonderful as the last time. Worship again opened my ears, eyes, and heart to what God wanted me to hear and carry out into the world. The members of our delegation are certainly welcoming and accepting and that created an even better experience.”

— Alysa Epperson

“The generation with whom I spent this past week is not, as some believe, selfish, always on their phone, apathetic and without valid opinions. Instead, I saw firsthand how compassionate, connected and convicted they are, with an amazing worldview to offer us all. Also, they exemplified the diversity, welcome, and passion of that early Church we read about in the Acts of the Apostles. They are not our future. We need them now. For as adults argue and debate, these youth not only will be but are now the generation of change.”

— Allen Colwell, adult advisor

For more, read the articles on the PC(USA) website or check out the Triennium Facebook page that chronicled the 5 day event!