Nextgen Ministry Conference

ROOTED 2025

a gospel-centered conference for youth and family ministers

October 23-25, 2025 | Chicago, IL

A gospel-centered conference for youth and family ministry.

Equipping and empowering churches and parents to faithfully disciple teenagers to lifelong faith in
Jesus Christ. Join us for music, fellowship, speakers, and workshops.

Rooted 2025

The Church in Acts

The dominant narrative shaping teenagers today is that they are totally free individuals who are responsible to craft their own identity and determine their future. The resulting pressure this creates is proving to be crushing. The book of Acts demonstrates an alternative to the burden of radical individualism with a great benefit of the gospel: the institution of the church, formed on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection and filled with his personal presence and power. Our prayer is that by looking back at the major themes of the early church, our modern churches will be encouraged to look forward with renewed boldness, perseverance, and confident optimism for the next generation.

Main Session Speakers

Jim Davis

Cameron Cole

Rev. Joel E. Kim

Syler Thomas

Liz Edrington

Chelten Carter

Travel Plans

Rooted is partnering with several hotels near the conference site in order to provide our registrants the best discounts available.

View all of our discounted room blocks, distances from the hotel properties to the venue, amenities, special offers, and more.

Homewood Suites
- - Distance: 11 minutes from the conference site
  - Location: 10 Westminster Way, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
  - $129/night
  - Book by calling 847.945.9300
  - Hotel Code:
    - Go to Hilton.com
    - Where to: Lincolnshire
    - Check in date: Enter date
    - Check out date: Enter date
    - Click on Special Rates:
    - Group Code: Enter 90B
Hilton Garden Inn – Lake Forest
- - Distance: 8 minutes from the conference site.
  - Location: 26225 N. Riverwoods Boulevard Mettawa, IL, 60045
  - $169/night
  - Book here!
Residence Inn Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa
- - Distance: 8 minutes from the conference site.
  - Location: 26325 N. Riverwoods Boulevard Mettawa, IL, 60045
  - $169/night
  - Book here!

Pre-Conference Options

Join us for extra fellowship and teaching for specific groups of people, whether new to youth ministry, working in an Asian-American church, or those interested in becoming Rooted Writers.

Claim your spot here! Asian American Pre-Conference

Join us for extra fellowship and teaching for people specifically working in an Asian-American ministry context.

For the 8^th year, we are offering a preconference specifically for volunteers and youth ministers in the Asian-American church. This preconference will be held on Thursday, October 23 from 11:30am – 3pm. Lunch will be included. Join us and our speakers, President Joel Kim of Westminster Seminary California and Pastor Jason Tarn from Houston, TX, for this preconference experience, designed to encourage us to “press forward in gospel-centered youth ministry for the Asian-American church.

Rooted Conference