May 16-18 2024

Celebrate Life is a youth event designed for the purpose of encouraging the development and abilities of the youth of the region for ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

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Celebrate Life is a multi-day event, open to students currently in 6th through 12th grade, which takes place May 16-18, 2024 at Olivet Nazarene University. Celebrate Life is designed to encourage the development and abilities of students in the name of Jesus. Each year, hundreds of students from all over the Central Field (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin) convene on ONU’s campus to worship and fellowship together and to celebrate the gifts and talents God has given to them. It’s a wonderful weekend of Christian community and a great opportunity for students to experience what ONU has to offer!

What is Celebrate Life?

Where is Celebrate Life?

Celebrate Life takes place in two places: at the District level and at the Regional level. District Celebrate Life events occur once per year in various venues throughout the Olivet Nazarene University educational region, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Youth participate at the District level depending on your area of residence. It is at the District level event that a student may qualify to participate in the Regional Celebrate Life event.

The Regional Celebrate Life event is held once per year in May on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

There are age requirements for the District and Regional Level Celebrate Life events. All participants must be in the 6th-12th grade by the time of Regional Celebrate Life in May in order to participate in any form of competition on the district or regional level. Each participant should be an active member/participant in the Nazarene Church district they represent. Each district president is responsible for who may or may not participate in Celebrate Life.

Who can participate?

Celebrate Life gives you the opportunity to have the time of your life with friends, compete in an activity, sport, or talent you enjoy and excel in, experience a world-class college campus, make memories that will last a lifetime, and experience the goodness, love, worship, and peace of God in incredible, life-changing ways!

Why participate?

Share your Story

•

Share your Story •

Have a story of how

God moved during

Celebrate Life?

We're eager to hear your tale about how Celebrate Life left its mark on your journey with Christ, whether it inspired a significant change or created friendships with other believers. Share your experience and let us share in the moments that made it unforgettable.

Fequently Asked Questions

  • Students are not limited to a specific number of activities at Celebrate Life, but your district coordinator will help determine how many teams you can be on.

  • The total cost is up to each district. Olivet charges an amount, but your district may add an additional amount to cover gas, t-shirt, or other costs. Please contact your district coordinator.

  • Registration begins Thursday morning and the closing session finishes around noon on Saturday. A more detailed schedule with tournament brackets, fine arts performance times, service times, etc., will be available on an app the week of the event.

  • We recommend the following:

    • Two outfits per day

    • Pajamas

    • Pillow and bedding for a twin-sized bed

    • Shower towel, washcloth, hand towel, shower shoes

    • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, sunscreen, medication, etc.)

    • Swimsuit/towel

    • Sturdy walking shoes and socks (students must have these if they want to do the rock wall)

    • Phone Charger

    • Refillable water bottle

    • Drawstring bag

    • Any items needed for competition (shin guards, knee pads, art work, instrument, sheet music, etc.)

    • Optional items: poncho/umbrella, garbage bag for dirty clothes, snacks

  • Artwork drop-off is in Perry Center Room 222; Creative Writing and Video Editing drop-off is in Larsen Fine Arts Center lounge.

  • Yes, each district provides a district shirt for participants to wear on Saturday.

  • Yes! In addition to watching other participants compete in activities, Olivet’s swimming pool with lazy river, rock climbing wall and game room will be open all weekend. Olivet also offers extra activity sessions for students such as a creative writing workshop, tours of the television and radio stations on campus, sessions with professors from various departments on campus and more! Watch for more information to come out about these extra activities in the days before Celebrate Life.

Send a message to

Our CL Coordinator