“It’s amazing kids get to hear about the Gospel among so many other kids and amid so much fun.”

Julia Friesen
Special to Spur Ottawa

On Good Friday, hundreds of high school students will gather in Ottawa to worship and learn about Jesus. Coming together from youth groups across the city for a full-day conference known as No Other Name, the youth will worship, hear guest speakers, and enjoy wild games and workshops. As in past years, organizers have not shared details on special guests or the day’s activities; No Other Name, like Good Friday, is “about Jesus alone”.

“The message of No Other Name has always been about Jesus,” says Matt McKendry, the student ministries pastor at Cedarview Alliance Church. “This does not change from year to year, but what is special about this spring is that we are really excited to get back in person.”

This is the 15th year Ottawa youth leaders have organized No Other Name. The past two years were entirely online, with worship and messages, but students really missed the community and many special experiences offered by No Other Name.

“I think we have all learned in the past couple of years that we’ve missed that connection with one another.” Photo courtesy of No Other Name.

Before COVID, the conference was usually held at The Metropolitan Church, but organizers decided to host this year’s event at Cedarview Alliance Church. While the conference will be on a smaller scale, organizers believe the impact will be significant.

“We are really excited to be in person again so the youth can visualize how many other students are in the same position as them and so they can see their church as part of a bigger community,” says McKendry. “A lot of students are struggling with the lack of community. We have become a lot more isolated and a lot less social: We watch church online and we can turn off our cameras in class. I think students are weary of that.”

Organizers recruited several youth volunteers to serve in leadership roles, including Sejal Masih. Masih is a high school student and aspiring actress who will host this year’s conference. She is excited to “bring the energy” and encourage her fellow students to worship God and have fun.

“No Other Name was one of the first times I actually understood why Jesus had to die for me.” Photo courtesy of No Other Name.

“I am looking forward to seeing people’s faces again,” she shares. “Online you don’t have the same amount of connection as you do when you are physically with people.”

“I think we have all learned in the past couple of years that we’ve missed that connection with one another,” says Samantha Presseault, one of the online hosts from last year. “I’m glad the students can experience that community again. It was special [in previous years] to encounter friends from all around the city.”

Community is not the only takeaway for students. No Other Name played a significant role in Presseault’s own faith journey. Her experience is a testament to the work youth leaders dedicated to proclaiming Christ’s saving work to younger generations.

“Even though I’ve grown up in the Church, No Other Name was one of the first times I actually understood why Jesus had to die for me,” Presseault explains. “It’s amazing kids get to hear about the Gospel in that setting: among so many other kids their age, with volunteers who care, and amid so much fun—there is nothing better.”