Video summary

NYC26 | Session 1

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

NYC 2026 Overview (Live from Salt Lake City, Utah)

NYC 2026 begins with a focus on the theme “wonder,” described as a response to God’s mercy and kindness toward students. About 10,000 students from 75 districts gather in person, with additional participation through a livestream and the conference’s app/website.

The hosts emphasize that NYC is not a one-time event or a “finish line,” but a launching point with long-term ripple effects across churches, districts, schools, and even decades of future influence.

What the Opening Session Argues/Teaches

  • God is already at work before the conference starts, and students are invited to lean in, receive, and respond rather than treat faith as something postponed for later.
  • Worship and teaching frame wonder as an antidote to mental distraction, fear, and doubt, encouraging students to believe God’s story is bigger than their own and to let God “have the final say.”
  • The message addresses two questions everyone must wrestle with:
    1. Who is Jesus?
    2. Who is Jesus to you?

Core Message from the Sermon (Colossians 1:15–17 + Redemption)

Speaker Pastor Gerald Fatomi explains Jesus through Colossians 1:15–17, along with the theme of redemption:

Jesus as Revealer of God

  • Jesus is presented as the “image of the invisible God,” meaning people don’t need a secondhand, distorted picture of God—they should look to Jesus to know God’s character.

Jesus as Creator and Sustainer

  • Jesus is God (supreme over creation).
  • Jesus is Creator: “all things were created through him and for him.”
  • Jesus is Sustainer: Jesus holds creation—and individuals—together.

Jesus as Redeemer

  • Jesus is also Redeemer, reconciling people to God through the cross so that relationship with God becomes possible again.

The sermon stresses that knowing facts about Jesus isn’t enough; the second question—“Who is Jesus to you?”—is personal and transformative. If Jesus is God/Creator/Sustainer/Redeemer for you, it changes identity and response, particularly for people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, family instability, and shame.

Call to Action

Students are challenged to stand to respond if they’ve never committed to Jesus. A specific invitation is made to accept Jesus as Lord, with follow-up through leaders for discipleship after the decision.

Online/Livestream Emphasis

NYC Live hosts (including a post-session booth segment) emphasize that the Holy Spirit is not confined to the arena. Viewers online are also invited to respond and connect with local church community and youth leadership.

Closing Framing

The session ends with a benediction and reassurance that the movement is just beginning, not concluding. Both online and in-person audiences are encouraged to keep participating throughout the conference week.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Pastor Brady Bratz — NYC Live host pastor
  • Pastor Shane Lima — NYC Live studio guest
  • Justin Pickard — NYI USA/Canada leader (quoted/interviewed)
  • Pastor Gerald Fatomi — main preacher for Session 1
  • Kylie and the four girls mentioned by Gerald: Wesley, Zoe, Trinity, Lively (personal testimony context)
  • Unnamed worship leaders / choir / congregation (during worship segments)
  • Pastor Gerald (booth segment continuation) and NYC Live host(s) (post-session interview)

Original video