“We don’t act so Jesus will love us, [Jesus] already loves us so that’s why we act.” An “amen” moment from Lilly Atkins’ message at the 2026 Corridor District Youth Spring Service day! Lilly Atkins is a High School Senior and a member of Long Memorial UMC in Roxboro, NC. She is also the Corridor District Youth Representative on the Conference Youth Committee.

Lilly’s message was a part of worship on this Corridor Youth Spring Service day at Camp Chestnut Ridge. The Corridor Youth have been gathering together for a day of worship, service around camp, and dinner together in the spring for about 5 years. This year, we made a joyful noise led by Pastor Jay Locklear, New Brook UMC, and Pastor Joshua Abraham, Emmanuel UMC, and were prayed for and sent out into the world by Bishop Connie Shelton. Eighty-four youth and leaders from the Corridor District came together to worship and serve from 11 different churches.

Following worship, we split into service groups throughout Camp Chestnut Ridge. Youth built picnic tables, worked on gardens, mulched different areas, washed buses, and helped with other projects throughout camp to prepare for the hundreds of children who will experience God’s love through camp ministries this spring and summer.

We ended our time together with a meal. 

It is a wonderful day spent together, outside in God’s creation, remembering that “We don’t act so Jesus will love us, [Jesus] already loves us so that’s why we act.” 

Article and photos by Lydia Cauley, Director of Family Ministries, Aldersgate UMC, Corridor District Youth Coordinator.