Albuquerque Youth Soar with Prayer, Study, and Service

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On January 17, 2026, the day the country honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., over 300 youth across the nation gathered in friendship, prayer, study, and service. They reflected on their role as active agents of change in building a better world for all.

I had the honor of visiting one of the many gatherings hosted by the Four Corners Regional Institute, an organization dedicated to building community, personal development, and social transformation through structured and grassroots activities. This year, youth conferences were held in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, the Navajo Nation, and—as I was overjoyed to discover— right in my own community, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Universal House of Justice, the world governing body of the Bahá’í Faith, is located in Haifa, Israel.

Youth conferences like this one have been inspiring, guiding, and spiritually encouraging today’s youth since they were launched in 2013 by the Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá'í Faith.

These collective spaces around the world support youth in bringing about “constructive change and a capacity for meaningful service,” during a time in life that is “buffeted by numerous social forces” and pitfalls to navigate.[1] As youth engage in a framework that fosters personal development and collective social action, their transformative energies are released at all levels of the community.

The conference sessions were facilitated by youth from surrounding communities.

At the Albuquerque conference, the dynamic spirit of the gathering was apparent from the moment I arrived. Several of the 30 attendees told me they serve as teachers of children’s classes, empowering kids’ spiritual and moral education. Many are also junior youth animators, stimulating young teens' intellectual and spiritual growth.

I was delighted to discover that Nadia, a youth who lives in Santa Fe, was the same youth who facilitated junior youth sessions at Eastern Colorado’s Bahá'í Winter School in early January, which I also attended. She and her co-animator mentor a junior youth group each week and were attending the youth conference to support other youth and themselves in strengthening capabilities for service. I was especially happy to learn how close Nadia is with the junior youth she serves. I am looking forward to visiting their group soon.

Nadia (in brown jacket) and friends are welcomed to the youth conference during the opening session.

The youth who serve children and junior youth were especially excited to hear that Brilliant Star offers a complimentary subscription for teachers and animators in the United States. Several signed up and were equally enthusiastic about exploring Brilliant Star Online, which provides easily accessible resources connected to the themes studied in children’s classes and junior youth groups.

I was deeply impressed by the conference participants’ commitment to learning how to navigate today’s challenges by strengthening both their capacity and desire to serve their community. They recognize that genuine friendship and collective effort act as powerful catalysts for transformation.[2] It was evident that they strive consistently to promote love, unity, and justice, devoting far more than a single day each year to the values for which Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died.

Youth drum and sing during the morning devotions. 

The conference opened with a warm welcome, music, singing, and prayers in multiple languages, fostering love for diversity in an atmosphere of unity. Those who were new to the youth conference environment read the lyrics on large posters and were helped by others who knew the words.

Kevin Locke plays traditional Lakota flute during one of his Northern Colorado visits in 2017.

After soul-stirring devotions, the youth said hello to old and new friends during what felt like a friendship greeting dance. It brought to mind the Native American Round Dance that welcomes visitors into the community. I was introduced to round dance by Indigenous musician and educator Kevin Locke, who performed in Ventura, California, during my youth and later on his visits to Colorado, until his passing in 2022. It was during the youths’ friendship greeting that his memory filled my heart and mind, and I felt a deep sense of continuity—the same spirit of welcome, unity, and shared humanity living in this new generation.

It was touching to see the love and friendship among the youth and the group of conference coordinators. Institutions that see youth as protagonists—agents of change and not just passive participants—are essential to building just, unified, and peaceful communities.

Youth meet new friends during the opening session of the conference.

In my experience, few social institutions openly convey their love and support for young people and see them as the key to changing the world. Seeing the conference participants and coordinators working together in service of the common good inspires hope for a beautiful future.

Many youth meeting for the first time creates a rich atmosphere of joy and friendship.

Laughs fill the room as youth participants try not to be the last person standing.

The youth had a wonderful opportunity to learn about each other during a game called “When the West Wind Blows.” One person would stand in the middle of the room and describe themselves or an experience. For example, one youth said, “When the west wind blows to anyone who loves their mother.” Everyone who could relate got up and ran to another seat. It was especially heartwarming to see my son Jadan stand on that round! The last person to find a seat started a new round. The room was filled with chaos and laughter as people raced from chair to chair.

 

All participants scramble to find a new seat.

After the get-to-know-you activities, the youth moved into small study groups. Throughout the weekend, they focused on several themes:

• Youth as a critical stage of life imbued with energy, idealism, and limitless capacity
• Forces of integration, love of beauty, truth, and knowledge
• Service founded on love
• Forces of disintegration founded in materialism, self-centeredness,[3] and social pressures.

Youth study conference materials together.

One youth shared that he understands his spiritual growth and service to others go hand in hand. It is impossible to have one without the other. It was then that I realized the potency of what the youth are dedicating their minds and hearts to—not just for a weekend, but for a life of learning and service. As each youth strengthens attitudes and qualities that reflect the beauty of the Divine, they live in spiritual justice. At the same time, they are translating these qualities into action, building communities free from prejudice and inequality, thereby demonstrating social justice. I felt that seeing youth cultivate spiritual and social justice within themselves is how justice becomes culture, not a rule to live by or ignore. It was a joyful inspiration.

An inclusive and welcoming environment is created for all.

As I left the conference, I carried with me a renewed sense of hope and responsibility. On a day set aside to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of justice, unity, and beloved community, I witnessed that dream taking shape in the hearts, minds, and actions of young people. One of Brilliant Star’s goals is to build connections with grassroots children’s class teachers and junior youth animators and support the development of educational materials that meet their needs. As the Teachers’ Curriculum Specialist, I felt newly inspired and grateful to help. The Albuquerque youth who attended the 2026 youth conference were not simply remembering Dr. King’s dream—they are living it, sustaining it, and carrying it forward with love, courage, and collective purpose.

To see firsthand the dynamic, society-building power cultivated and unleashed at the 2026 Youth Conference, check out this video by the Four Corners Regional Bahá'í Council:

Click the image to play the video!
 

We look forward to visiting more communities in the year ahead. Here’s how you can take part in Brilliant Star’s efforts to support teachers, families, and communities:

• Contact us if you have a seasonal school or major event coming up—we may be able to join you.
• Let us know how Brilliant Star can support your teaching and community-building efforts.
• Share stories and photos about using Brilliant Star in your classes, families, and communities.

We hope to hear from you! You can email me at jkerr@usbnc.org.

 

References:
1. The Universal House of Justice, letter dated July 1, 2013
2. The Universal House of Justice, letter dated July 1, 2013
3. The Period of Youth, Youth Conference Participant Materials, July – October 2013

Updated on 3.09.26