Leadership Lab 2026: A Week of Faith, Vision, and Leadership Formation for Youth and Adults
Registration is now open for Leadership Lab 2026, a week-long leadership and faith formation experience for youth and adults taking place June 22–27, 2026, at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.
Leadership Lab is designed to help young people and their adult mentors experiment with and practice leadership for the church and the wider community, while participating in a deeply meaningful faith experience. Rooted in the biblical vision of Joel 2:28—“your sons and your daughters shall prophesy… your young men shall see visions”—the program invites participants to imagine how God is calling them to lead in the world today.
Throughout the week, participants engage in hands-on learning, worship, and community-building that encourages them to grow as leaders grounded in faith. Congregations are encouraged to send youth along with adult leaders so they can bring what they learn back to their home communities.
Event Details
Dates: June 22–27, 2026
Location: Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
Cost: $420 per person
The registration fee includes:
Dorm room lodging for the week
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (beginning with dinner on June 22 and ending with breakfast on June 27)
An event T-shirt
Important Deadline:
Registration costs increase by $50 after April 15, so early registration is encouraged.
Discounts Available
Several discounts are available (only one may be applied per registration):
1 free adult registration with the purchase of five student registrations
10% discount for participants who attended Leadership Lab 2025
25% discount for congregations attending for the first time or returning after more than five years
Payment Options
Participants may pay during registration using credit card or e-check, or choose “Pay Later” if a church or group organizer will complete payment. Payments can also be made on behalf of individuals or groups through the event payment portal.
Why Leadership Lab?
Leadership Lab provides a rare space where young people can practice leadership in real time while growing in faith. Participants learn not only leadership skills but also how their voices and visions matter in the life of the church.
As the prophet Joel reminds us, God continues to raise up new leaders in every generation. Leadership Lab creates space for those leaders to listen for God’s call, grow in confidence, and imagine how the church can serve the world with courage and hope.
Congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to consider sending youth and adult leaders to participate in Leadership Lab 2026.
More information and registration details are available on the Leadership Lab website.
