By Donny Parrish, Conference Director • BMA of America
The 35th edition of SOAR has been hailed as one of the most impactful conferences in its history. Over 1,300 teenagers gathered at the Loews Hotel and Convention Center in Arlington’s entertainment district for three days of worship, missions and fun. The result was a spiritually enriching experience that left a lasting impression on all attendees.
Highlights of SOAR 2025
• Inspiring Messages — Andy Comer, lead pastor of Antioch, Georgetown, Texas, delivered three powerful messages that resonated deeply with the students. His sermons, centered around the theme “On Purpose,” encouraged students to live with intention and purpose. Many attendees made life-changing decisions, including coming to faith in Christ, surrendering to ministry and committing to a closer walk with the Lord.
• Uplifting Worship — Tyler Sellers and the SOAR Band led the music worship, creating an atmosphere of praise and reverence. The joy of hearing over 1,000 students singing songs of praise was palpable. Travis Sellers, Tyler’s father and lead pastor at Antioch, Celina, Texas, produced each worship set, guiding students into personal worship experiences.
• Engaging Breakout Sessions — Jonathan Cofer, high school pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, organized breakout sessions that catered to the students’ interests. These sessions, led by exceptional teachers, provided valuable insights and practical knowledge. Additionally, “church time” sessions allowed adult leaders to pour into the lives of their students and strengthen their youth groups.
• Worship Missions — Gavin Roberts, a BMA Church Planter in Morgan, Utah, spoke during the Worship Missions session. His heartfelt message about living “On Purpose” and his dedication to spreading the gospel in LDS (Latter-day Saints) country inspired many students. The annual SOAR Midnight Meeting, featuring Jeremy Hambrice, BMA Global’s missionary to Papua New Guinea, drew over 400 students who felt called to share the gospel with the nations.
• Fun and Fellowship — Steven Carroll, the warm-up DJ for the week, energized the crowd with his dynamic presence. The after-hours events in the SOAR Village were filled with fun activities and opportunities for fellowship, making the conference an enjoyable experience for all.
Looking Ahead to SOAR 2026
The success of SOAR 2025 has set the stage for an even more remarkable event next year. SOAR 2026 will be held July 1-3 at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Okla. Mark your calendars and plan to bring your students to this life-changing event!
For more details and updates, visit www.soarconference.com or contact me at donny@lifeword.org.
We look forward to seeing you at SOAR 2026!
— SOAR is an annual conference dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, collaboration and community among BMA teenagers. It provides a platform for students to engage in worship, missions and fellowship, creating transformative experiences that inspire and empower the next generation.
