Youth Gather for Bishop’s Rally in East District

Oct 7

*Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. delivers a message for youth during worship at the East District Bishop’s Rally in Paris.*

Sounds of laughter and worship filled the halls of First United Methodist Church Paris’ Youth & Ministry Building as more than four dozen students from across the East District gathered for a regional Bishop’s Rally, held October 5 from 2–5 p.m.

The event, organized by Rev. Kat Smith, a children and youth area coordinator in the Horizon Texas Conference, brought together youth groups from Wesley UMC Greenville, Wesley UMC Sulphur Springs, Mt. Zion UMC Paris, First UMC Paris and Caddo Mills UMC for an afternoon of cross-congregational faith, fellowship and fun.

“It’s such a gift to see our youth come together from across the East District—not just to have fun, but to experience the connection that makes us United Methodists,” said Smith. “When we gather like this, you can really feel the Spirit moving among them. God is doing something beautiful in this generation.”

Participants connected through lively, youth-led games including Human Hungry, Hungry Hippos, and a high-energy round of Mattress Races. Between laughter and cheers, youth also paused to serve their community, assembling more than 150 hygiene kits for CitySquare Paris, a local outreach ministry supporting neighbors in need.

The day concluded in worship, led by First UMC Paris’ Connections modern worship band, with a powerful message from Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. The band led the group in singing “Who You Say I Am,” reminding everyone that amid the noise of the world, their identity is found in Christ alone. As band leader Shelley Bulls shared, “If you hear nothing else today, I want you to know that Jesus Christ loves you.”

Grounded in Jeremiah 1:7, Bishop Saenz encouraged the youth present not to let their age limit their faith or their calling. “Even now,” he reminded them, “you are called by God to make a difference in the world.”

The Bishop’s Rally built new connections, as well as celebrated the vibrancy and leadership of young disciples across the East District—an inspiring example of how the Horizon Texas Conference continues to champion children and youth and multiply Jesus followers across the connection.