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Youth Events​

Connecting with Local Churches

In 1966 the North Central Church of the Nazarene Board of Trustees was called to found MidAmerica Nazarene University—then MidAmerica Nazarene College. The Church of the Nazarene continues to provide leadership and direction through financial support and student recruitment.

MAX MidAmerica Xtreme #MNUMAX

April 16-18, 2026

Participants need to register with their Nazarene Church district to attend.

Services

  • Service Project
  • Bible Quizzing
  • Main Event
  • Liberal Arts
  • Sport Competitions

Bring With Project - For Havencroft Elementary School

The North Central Field is encouraging participants to bring items from the following list to help Havencroft meet needs of their students and families. These items will be collected during District Huddles on Thursday to be given to Havencroft during MAX.

  • Detangler
  • Bodywash
  • Hair brushes
  • Underwear (most helpful)
    • Youth male size 4/5
    • Youth male size 10/12
    • Youth male size 12/14
    • Youth male size 18
MNU MAX Flyer 2026. All information on the flyer can be found directly on the webpage.

Max Speaker Bio

Olivia Williamson

Olivia Williamson is an engaging speaker, musician, author, director of Claim Your Campus, and founder of Enlightened Students. She has been actively serving in national youth ministry since founding Enlightened Students in 2014, a national movement of students organizing and leading worship events in high schools. Claim Your Campus (CYC) was founded in 2009 and has already reached 30,000+ students with a call to pray weekly for their middle and high schools. Based out of Kansas City with her amazing husband and son, she has a heart for prayer and to reach this generation of students for Christ!

Profile picture of Olivia Williamson, guest speaker for 2026 MNU MAX

2025 MAX Highlights

North Central Field PK Retreat

February 13-15, 2026

Cost: $75

This event is for 7th-12th grade Pastor’s Kids to experience a weekend of fun, food, and fellowship with PKs from seven different states!

Please complete this registration form and send $75 by February 6, 2026, to: Lisa Downs, MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Check in for the event begins at 7 pm on Friday, February 13th in the Hight Student Lounge of Cunningham Center at MNU, and ends on Sunday, February 15th at 1 pm in the Hight Student Lounge.

Any questions, call Lisa at 913.971.3434 or email at ldowns@mnu.edu

Flyer for PK Retreat, features images of attendees along with relevant information. The information provided on the flyer is in the text of the webpage

YES Conference

January 30-February 1, 2026

Cost: $75

This event is for high school students (9th-12th grade)

The cost is $75 for students and $50 for sponsors. Please mail payments to: Lisa Downs, MNU, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Registration/Check In will take place on Friday, January 30th starting at 7:00 pm. The conference will end on Sunday, February 1 at 11:00 am. Adult sponsors will be expected to stay on campus to assist in supervising their students in attendance.

Students and sponsors will be housed in one of our dorms on campus. Participants will need to provide bedding (air mattresses, sleeping bags, etc.) and toiletries.

The deadline to register is January 12, 2026. Please contact Jonathan Eigsti, YES Director, for additional information at jmeigsti@gmail.com or Lisa Downs, YES Registrar, at ldownsmnu.edu.

Flyer for YES Conference 2026, features lemons along with the conference information. The information provided on the flyer is in the text of the webpage.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.