Young Christians Gather in Norway for Global YSA Convention 2025

Nearly 1,000 young adults representing more than 30 countries converged on Norway’s southern coast this August for the Global YSA Convention 2025, a weeklong gathering organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hosted at the Oslofjord Convention Centre, the annual event has become a fixture for Latter-day Saint young adults in Europe, offering a mix of worship, service, and social connection. Now in its 59th year, the convention traces its roots to Sweden in the 1930s and today rotates among Nordic countries.

This year’s theme, “Part of His Crew,” invited participants ages 18 to 35 to reflect on their spiritual identity and place within God’s work. “The Global YSA Convention is an uplifting experience because you meet friends, you get to feel the spirit and feel our Saviour’s love, and you reconnect spiritually,” said My Helles, a participant from Sweden.

Morning devotionals set the tone for the week, with addresses from senior Church leaders including Elder Kevin W. Pearson, president of the Europe North Area, and his wife, Sister June Pearson. Their remarks focused on belonging and divine identity. Elder Mark Dundon, an Area Seventy based in Norway, emphasized the healing power of Christ’s atonement. “The atonement is not just there for those who transgress and need to be forgiven,” he said. “It is also there for those who are victims … to be healed.”

Beyond worship, the Global YSA Convention featured service initiatives benefiting children and emergency aid workers, alongside an array of recreational activities. Attendees tested their strength and teamwork in “Viking Games,” which included axe throwing, archery, and other competitions, while others joined Zumba classes or traditional sports. Evening programs ranged from themed dances to musical performances, culminating in a variety show that blended talent with testimony.

For many, the event’s combination of faith and fellowship proved transformative. “It’s really fun to take part in all the activities,” said Leah Evensen of Norway. “It’s a chance to be social, to build faith, and to do everything I want to do, both socially and spiritually.”

The seaside setting in Sandefjord lent a reflective atmosphere to a week that many described as pivotal in their faith journey. As participants departed, they carried with them strengthened convictions, new friendships, and a renewed commitment to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.