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breakaway youth conference

2026 Registration now open

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March 5 - 7, 2027
Ocean city convention center

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Break
away
2027

Breakaway Youth Conference

Breakaway is a 3 day youth conference held every year in Ocean City, MD.

Hosted by YFC this conference features live worship band, keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a concert.

View the full lineup and schedule below.

Ocean City Convention Center
4001 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, MD 21842

2027 Speakers & Artists

coming soon

Ray Nelson

Ray Nelson

Raimon Nelson is a nationally recognized speaker, facilitator, youth influencer, and a bold leader within our community. Hailing from our nation’ s capital, Washington, DC, Ray is a gifted communicator who believes in doing the good, hard work to end disparities for youth and young adults. His personal mission is to build relationships to repair communities from the inside out through innovative strategies.

Ray’s focus is to equip young people to live life to its fullest potential. He understands the urgency to build the capacity of young people as local leaders with a global impact.

Brandon Leake

Brandon Leake

Brandon Leake is the season 15 winner of America’s Got Talent, a 7x Telly Award Winner, 1x SOVAS Award Winner, and 1x Emmy Award Winner. Brandon has been a Poetic Performer, Keynote Speaker, and Workshop leader for over a decade, traveling locations such as: New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and 42 States. Brandon has collaborated with companies such as Meta, CBS, California Hospital Association, Good Morning America, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and many others. Brandon’s use of personal narrative with his gifting in poetic prose allows him to speak not merely to crowds, but to their inner being, to connect one soul to another, to connect people to an intrinsic sense of communal humanity that is at times severely lacking in our world. Brandon Leake is a visionary, whos words, but most importantly actions reflect his love of Christ, people, and the world.

Sorenson

Sorenson

Piano driven pop duo from Baltimore, MD. Jeremy and Kimberly Sorensen are award winning song-writers, artists, and accomplished producers in Carroll County, MD. They have two beautiful daughters and are worship leaders at their local church as well as independent recording artists. They have released several singles and albums over the years and produce music at home as well as with friends in Nashville, TN. Several of their songs have won national awards and recently they were privileged with the song “Psalm 91” being included on a Dove nominated album. Currently Sorensen is preparing for a release of an orchestral-driven worship album for the church and continues to play and lead worship at concerts and festivals. They are passionate about serving in their local church and desire for their music to pursue the hope of our eternal home and celebrate the goodness of our amazing God.

DJ Ant

DJ Ant G is a servant that uses music to set and change atmospheres. He is gifted in his ability to seamlessly transition music and sounds to elicit strong emotional responses in his listeners. Music has the power to evoke joy, fun, infectious dance moves, and laughter. DJ Ant G's heart beats for more than just the ears of his listeners. His heart's desire is to serve people using his gift for music. DJ Ant G's talents have allowed him to perform and travel all over the country for over twelve years. He is not just technically skilled; DJ Ant G can read the crowd, discern the energy and deliver the appropriate tune to elicit joy. DJ Ant G and his wife Tiffany, live in Philadelphia, where he serves as the DJ for several ministries and youth organizations.

SCOTT SMITH

Scott Smith

Scott Smith is a Philadelphia-based spoken word artist, emcee, host, and speaker. Scott began writing and performing spoken word poetry after seeing Amena Brown Owen perform at the Jubilee Conference in 2010. Over his early journey with poetry, Scott gained inspiration from movements like Def Jam Poetry & P4CM while performing at various spoken word open mic events and churches in the Pittsburgh and Youngstown areas. Since moving to Philadelphia in 2012, Scott has had opportunities to perform locally, regionally and nationally on notable platforms including Voices in Power, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, WeGoLive, Busboys and Poets, and WAN Poetry. Beyond the national spoken word scene, Scott has leveraged his gifts to serve the body of Christ specifically through performing at Christian churches, retreats, conferences, and festivals. On most months you can find Scott supporting other local poets at an open mic in Philly. He loves watching artists come into their own and grow in their gifts. In 2019, Scott and his wife Darlene founded Ripe Creatives under A.C.T. Intl.

Craig Watson

Craig Watson

Craig Watson is Christian Hip-Hop Artist born and raised in Philadelphia where he still calls home. Craig’s journey from isolation to faith is the heart of his music. Raised by his grandmother Craig struggling with feelings of invisibility as he sought peace in relationships to find acceptance. After giving his life to Christ, Craig found true belonging and joy. Now, as a Christian hip-hop artist, Craig channels his story into his music, using his lyrics to share the message of hope and identity he found in faith through Christ Jesus.

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2027 Schedule

coming soon

4:00 – 8:00 PM Registration at OC Convention Center

8:00 PM Pre-Show

8:30 – 10 PM General Session #1

10:00 – 11:15 PM Late Night Options:

  • At The OC Convention Center – Comedy Café (10:00)
  • At The Grand Hotel, 21st Street – Bonfire on the Beach (10:15)
  • Indoor Pool

8:30 AM Pre-Show

9:00 – 10:30 AM General Session #2

10:45 AM – 11:30 PM Youth Worker/Leader Breakout Session
Student Breakout Session A (choose from 6)

10:45 AM – 12:30 PM Youth Worker/Leader Breakout Session

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM Student Breakout Session B (choose from 6)

12:30 PM Free Time for Relational Ministry with Your Group

2:00 – 5:00 PM Project Serve Opportunities

7:00 PM Pre-Show

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM General Session #4 with Group Quiet Time at End

10:00 – 11:15 PM Late Night Options:

  • NO Comedy Café Tonight
  • At The Grand Hotel, 21st Street – Bonfire on the Beach (10:15)

9:30 AM Pre-Show

10:00 AM Closing General Session #5

Disarming Anxiety  Jay Davies ROOM 201 About the difference between FEAR and ANXIETY, and what it means to become a person of FAITH over FEAR Likes, Filters & Influence: Navigating Social Media Today Jen Allender ROOM 204 Social Media isn’t just entertainment–it’s influence! In this breakout, we’ll talk about how online presence affects identity, relationships, and credibility. Participants will gain insight on engaging SOCIAL MEDIA wisely, recognizing unhealthy patterns, and using their voice to create positive influence. The Journey of the Fifteen Year Old Girl That Was Told… “You Have Cancer.” GREG HENCH & AVA MCBRIDE ROOM 203 Imagine being 15 and hearing those words. Imagine being the sister and hearing that about your sister/best friend. Imagine being the mom, hearing these words about your child, AND you just got done fighting cancer a couple years earlier. What do you do if it’s your friend? Come hear Ava’s journey and be encouraged. Ava was told “This is the better of the two cancers to get.” It was supposed to be 12 treatments and done. Two years later and she finally got to RING THAT BELL at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. AAA Heaven-Side Assistance Wes Mravlag ROOM 206 God has appointed each of us with a purpose, granting us access to His faith when we choose to abide in Him and walk in His ways. Just like a car needs maintenance, are we ready to bring ourselves to the Master mechanic? Crutches To Faith… Ryan Bastress ROOM 205 Life is tough and we rely on things that seem helpful yet fail and fade. It’s easy to get caught up in relying on hype with sudden bursts of excitement, injections of adrenaline, and instant gratification from social media, fads, trends, and viral influence, all of which is temporary and always changing. How do you go from what fades to God, who is constant? How do we escape the pattern of choosing to rely on what’s unfaithful due to it constantly changing, to a God who is loving, faithful, and who doesn’t change? Come and let’s explore this together. No Competition in Christ–A Candid Conversation About Diversity Isaiah Martin ROOM 202 People are like God’s fingerprints to the world. Everyone is different and tells a different story about Jesus. Diversity is a blessing, but division is a curse. Embrace your differences and rejoice in your uniqueness!
Do You Speak Youth? Ray Nelson ROOM 215-217 This workshop equips faith leaders with the cultural intelligence and empathic listening skills needed to translate and engage in youth culture to serve students more effectively. We’ll address the deep longings for identity, belonging, and purpose that every young person carries. 

Registration

Only 1,200 Tickets available - Register Early

Discount Registration

November 1 - December 31
$ 110
  •  

Regular Registration

January 1 - January 31
$ 125
  •  
Register Now
Register now

Late Registration

February 1 - March 6
$ 135
  •  

PROJECT SERVE Opportunities AT BREAKAWAY!

Diakonia Collection

We are partnering with Diakonia during Breakaway this year to be the hands and feet of Jesus and feed those in need.

We are collecting the following:

Canned foods: green beans, corn, peas, potatoes, mixed vegetables, beans, canned milk, soup, canned pasta, meals in a can, tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, and salad dressings.

Place them in boxes or bags and label clearly.

Boxed items: mashed potatoes, prepared potatoes, cereal, macaroni noodles, mac ‘n cheese, spaghetti, and rice.

Be sure these are bagged separately from canned
goods so they are not crushed.

Please include a count of all items for Diakonia to document.

The Ocean City Surf Club

We have always believed that we should leave Ocean City better than we found it, and serve the City that hosts us each year.

The Breakaway Youth Conference is proud to team up with The Ocean City Surf Club to assist in cleaning up the Ocean City beaches. The Ocean City Surf Club will supply gloves and bags for our groups. The cleanup will begin anytime after 1:00 until a time that you determine.

Please sign up at the Project Serve Desk next to the registration desk for Breakaway. Signup available during registration on Friday and Saturday morning.

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Lodging

The following hotels have partnered with Breakaway to provide discounted rates.

Ashore Resort and Beach Club
10100 Coastal HWY
Ocean City, Md 21842

Group-booking link: Mason Dixon Youth For Christ Room Block

Please be mindful, if you are are trying to book outside of the contracted dates, you will still able to book online, however, if you would like to come in before or stay after these dates, you will need to contact the hotel directly to add additional days to their stay for the contracted rate. 410-524-3535

Booking information coming soon

12303 Coastal Hwy,
Ocean City Md. 21842
410-250-1900

Booking Link:
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/XN98S0

$89 per night

Booking information coming soon

Hyatt Place Ocean City/ Oceanfront
1 16th Street
Ocean City Md 21842
410-213-5333

TWO QUEENS $99.00
Includes breakfast

Make reservations: https://go.hyatt.com/link/v2/eae__rDZXkggOnDlGAOGIIEBQy6Zinv517Yx_

Or call the hotel directly at (410) 213-5333 to book reservations over the phone with one of our guest service agents.

La Quinta Inn and Suites
106 32nd St
Ocean City Md, 21842

Double Queen: $95
Booking Link: www.laquintaoceancity.com
Group code: 030626MAS
410-289-5762

  • Complimentary parking
  • Complimentary breakfast
  • Free Wi-Fi

Booking information coming soon

Tru by Hilton Ocean City Bayside
3401 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, Md 21842


$109 per night

Please use this link when booking for Breakaway: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/breakawayyouthconference2026/

Booking information coming soon