BT Staff / Tuesday, June 3, 2025

SOAR: A Legacy of Faith, Missions and Life-Changing Moments

By Emily Brantley

Since it began in 1991, SOAR has been more than a youth conference — it’s been a movement. What began as a dream in the heart of Bobby Tucker, then national youth director for the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA), has grown into one of the most influential student events in the BMA family. With the help of Creative Director Donny Parrish, Tucker set out to create something that would speak the gospel in the “heart language” of students. What they built was more than an event — it was a catalyst for transformation.

From the start, SOAR has had one clear mission: to challenge, inspire and engage students to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Over the years, this mission has remained unchanged. Through dynamic worship, gospel-centered teaching and authentic community, SOAR has become a space where students meet Jesus, grow in faith and take bold steps of obedience. With more than 2,000 students attending each summer, lives are being changed — hundreds have trusted Christ, and many have answered the call to full-time ministry or missionary service.

SOAR has always shared BMA’s heartbeat for global missions. While the Volunteer Student Missions (VSM) program wasn’t born out of SOAR, the conference has been instrumental in helping it grow and thrive. Over time, SOAR has helped shape VSM’s development, particularly by championing the shift from sending individual students to commissioning mission teams who serve together.

Each year at SOAR, a powerful midnight missions meeting challenges students to take their faith beyond the conference and into the world. As a result, hundreds of students have joined God’s mission around the globe, volunteering for short-term mission opportunities that bring the gospel to those who need it most. SOAR hasn’t just promoted missions — it has mobilized a generation to live with purpose and go wherever God leads.

That legacy continues at SOAR 2025, happening July 2–4 at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas. This year’s theme, “On Purpose,” calls students to live boldly and intentionally for Christ.

We’re excited to welcome back Andy Comer as the main speaker, bringing messages filled with gospel truth and practical insight. Sarah and Jordan Bowen will return to emcee, bringing the energy and connection students know and love. Plus, during our special missions session, BMA Church Planter Gavin Roberts will share how God is moving in Utah and how students can get involved in real kingdom work.

Regular registration was $140 per person, but that ended June 2. Late registration is $160, but without a guaranteed conference t-shirt. Hotel rooms are available for $149 per night, with a booking deadline of June 9.

Don’t let your students miss this opportunity to laugh, worship, learn and be forever changed as we continue the legacy of SOAR and seek to live On Purpose. Visit soarconference.com to register your group today and find all the information, including hotel details and the complete schedule.