One thousand people gathered at the Sandia View Campus in Corrales, N.M., Aug. 28–29 for Texico Conference Convocation 2026, a weekend of worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal centered on the theme “In His Presence: A Personal Walk That Transforms.”
Feedback following the event was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees particularly highlighting the speakers and music as some of the most meaningful parts of their convocation experience.
English-language speaker Richie Halversen, director of Church Growth and Revitalization for the Southern Union Conference, and Spanish-language speaker Elvis Díaz, promoter and evangelist for El Centinela at the North American Division, challenged attendees to deepen their relationship with Christ. Youth speaker and mental health advocate Mark Tamaleaa connected powerfully with young people through messages of faith, resilience, and hope. Approximately 171 youth gathered throughout the weekend, and at times the youth tent reached standing-room-only capacity. The energy even drew adults into the tent to listen and participate alongside the young people.
Music was another highlight of the weekend. Jackie & Friends and Arise Ministry helped create an uplifting atmosphere of worship throughout the convocation, with attendees repeatedly mentioning the music among their favorite parts of the weekend.
The convocation was designed to offer a place for every generation, from children enjoying Bible-centered activities to youth and young adults finding spaces created specifically for them, and adults gathering for worship, concerts, and breakout sessions.
One of this year’s additions was a dedicated young adult experience, which welcomed approximately 86 participants. Led by Greg Taylor, youth and young adult director for the Southern Union Conference, and his wife, Kim Taylor, the program created space not only for worship and fellowship, but also for honest conversations about faith and life. One of the weekend’s highlights was a candid panel discussion featuring Greg and Kim Taylor alongside youth speaker Mark Tamaleaa, in which young adults were invited to wrestle with difficult questions and engage in open, meaningful conversations about faith, relationships, and the realities they face today.
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the weekend, however, was something that could not be measured by attendance numbers or schedules: the sense that the Holy Spirit was bringing the different pieces of the convocation together.
Christian Tarbox, who helped the Texico Conference communication team with social media throughout the weekend, noticed it as he moved between the various programs.
“It was amazing to see how the Holy Spirit was weaving everything together,” Tarbox says. “Without coordination between the speakers, from the youngest to the oldest, God was working to reach our hearts and remind us that all that is good, all that we hope for, is found in His presence.”
That spiritual continuity reflected the heart of this year’s theme. While speakers addressed different audiences and ministries offered distinct experiences, the invitation remained the same: to draw nearer to God and allow time in His presence to transform everyday life.
One attendee shared that she brought her husband, who is new to the church, and was grateful that he enjoyed the services—one small example of how the weekend created opportunities for people at different points in their faith journeys to encounter Christ.
Following the weekend, Texico pastors and office staff gathered for a special time of encouragement and spiritual renewal with Gabriel Perea, associate professor of religion and theology at Southwestern Adventist University.
Through his personal testimony of hardship, faith, and God’s leading, Perea challenged pastors and staff to recognize the difference between our reality and God’s reality and to trust God’s hand even when the full picture cannot yet be seen.
The gathering provided an opportunity for those who spend much of their time pouring into churches and communities to reflect on their own calling and their need to continually be filled by God. It was a fitting continuation of what had taken place throughout the convocation: a reminder that being in His presence is not simply the theme of an annual gathering, but an invitation that continues long after the weekend is over.
Attendees left Corrales encouraged and energized, while Texico leaders began looking ahead to next year. Plans include another strong lineup of speakers and musicians, expanded breakout opportunities, and programming designed to engage the entire Texico Conference family.
