Back by popularity and increasing demand, International Teen Talent is returning to its roots at the 80th International General Assembly in the Summer of 2026.

International Teen Talent was long a staple of the General Assembly week, sharing the stage with our global convention through 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. 

“Our youth are a vibrant, gifted part of our global movement, and we want to give them every opportunity to use their gifts for God’s glory for all of the Church of God to see,” said Bishop Brian Yaun, the International Youth and Discipleship Director. 

“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.”

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 next General Assembly in Orlando in 2026..

With this move, 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. 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.

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. To accommodate 12-year-olds who would have missed their last year of competition, 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).

Teen Talent has been a vital part of the International Youth and Discipleship Department for 63 years, giving students the chance to grow in their gifts and callings in the areas of music, art, drama, multimedia, creative writing, and Bible.