“Walk with Me”: For the Strength of Youth Conference in Okinawa Unites Youth from Japan and South Korea

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More than 240 youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Japan and South Korea gathered in Okinawa, Japan, June 15–20, 2026, for the first English-speaking For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference held on the island. Organized under the direction of the Asia North Area Presidency, the conference brought together youth, young single adult counselors, and adult leaders for gospel learning, friendship, activities, service, and spiritual growth centered on the 2026 FSY theme, “Walk with Me.”

“This FSY is unique because it supports the many English-speaking youth who live in Asia,” said President Mark R. Francis of the Church’s Okinawa Japan Military District. “We have numerous military, expatriate, and other families living abroad who benefit from these faith-filled interactions.”

For many participants, simply being surrounded by so many other Latter-day Saint youth was a powerful experience.

“I can’t remember ever being with so many Church youth,” said one 14-year-old young woman. “It’s amazing looking around and knowing that every person here believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and in His atonement and resurrection.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh, counselor in the Asia North Area Presidency, and his wife, Grace, participated throughout the week.

“The value of gathering youth from the Asia North Area is invaluable—it’s critical,” said Elder Teh. “Youth have strength when they are together and with youth who speak the same language. Especially in these areas where youth are a minority with their language, it’s vital for them to bring their energy and strength back home so others can build upon it.”

The conference was directed by Cort and Teri Stringham of the Okinawa Japan Military District, who worked with other members from the Okinawa Japan Military District, South Korea Military District, and Tokyo Japan South Stake (English) to prepare for the historic event.

Preparation began months before the conference. Reflecting on countless small miracles along the way, Teri Stringham said, “We are living the FSY theme, ‘Walk with Me.’”

The conference included a service project completed in partnership with the American Red Cross. Participants assembled 441 medical evacuation support kits that will assist military families and others facing medical emergencies throughout the Pacific region. Additional details about the project can be found in the article Okinawa FSY Youth Assemble 441 Hygiene Kits for the American Red Cross.

“Service helps people overcome their problems,” Elder Teh told participants. “The Savior was always focused on others. When we emulate the character of Christ, we are better able to recognize the needs of those around us.”

Classes were taught by leaders and teachers from the Asia North Area and focused on discipleship, revelation, gratitude, and service. A few of the classes are highlighted below.

President Saleh Hourani from the South Korea Camp Humphreys Military Branch taught the opening FSY class on service, sharing personal experiences about living and working in a refugee camp.

In another class, Max and Amy Butler of Japan’s Gushikawa Military Branch invited youth to act in faith, trusting the Lord for guidance. Paraphrasing Elder David A. Bednar’s teachings about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, they taught,

“When you press forward, you will be guided—not when you’re sitting still.”

“I really appreciated the phrase they used throughout their class, ‘Here am I, send me,’” said 15-year-old Frankie Townsley from the Kadena Military Branch. “We can learn to act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, even if they don’t seem profound. When we simply try to serve and let the Lord use us, we are doing His work.”

Kiersten Kelly from Yokosuka, Japan, used an object lesson in teaching her class. After having youth walk easily on boards laid flat on the floor, she raised the boards above the floor to chair height. This time, youth needed support to walk safely across the boards.

“You’re doing the same task, but with a different perspective,” she shared, relating their experiences to real-life situations.

Mark and Nettie Francis from Okinawa used wooden Japanese spinning tops and oversized glasses to illustrate that having a spiritual perspective allows us to deal with the ups and downs of daily life.

“Gratitude can completely turn a situation around,” taught President Francis, spinning a top that flipped entirely upside down while turning.

April Powell, a 15-year-old young woman, said the week deepened her understanding of the Savior.

“FSY taught me how much my Savior knows and loves me,” she said. “I loved the level of maturity of the youth, the spiritual environment, and how much I learned and felt loved.”

The friendships formed during the week became one of the conference's most meaningful outcomes.

“At one point I felt the weight of this calling,” Teri Stringham recalled. “Then a chaperone told me to look at the youth. They were not on their phones. They were engaged. They were talking loudly because they were happy. As the week progressed, their eyes were up, they were interacting more.”

Cort Stringham added, “Let the kids marinate with each other and they will come together and gel. It doesn’t have to be the perfect set up. They will make connections and grow together. We just provide the environment and then the Spirit will do its own thing.”

Young single adult counselors from Okinawa, elsewhere in Japan, South Korea, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe created an environment where youth felt loved and included.

“The counselors have been amazing,” said Teri Stringham. “They are not worried about themselves. They are focused on the youth. They shed their shells and become genuine.”

Juri Nishimura, a counselor from Kobe, Japan, said her experience strengthened her own faith.

“I learned a lot from the youth, who have strong testimonies and faith,” she said. “Even though I’ve been having challenges in my personal life, my desire to stay on the covenant path became stronger here at FSY.”

Another counselor from Japan, who said she was initially concerned because she struggles in large crowds, later reported, “I’m doing it. I’m doing things I didn’t think I could do. I feel the energy from the youth. They have been incredible.”

Debie and Lynn Adams, served as conference logistics coordinators, helping oversee the many details involved in bringing participants together from multiple countries.

“The greatest blessing was feeling the Lord ‘Walk with Me’ as we worked through roadblocks, detours, and seemingly unsolvable obstacles,” said Debie Adams. “I always felt the Lord wasn’t waiting for me to come to Him. Instead, He was beside me the entire way.”

As the conference concluded, Sister Grace Teh reflected on the hand of the Lord in bringing participants together.

“The Lord does not gather people haphazardly,” she said. “There are no coincidences. All the counselors, the session directors, the leaders, and all who have been helping, are all gathered here by the Lord. I see His hand in all of this.”

Participants returned home with strengthened testimonies, new friendships, and a renewed commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

Future English-speaking FSY conferences are planned every two years and will rotate throughout the Asia North Area, providing additional opportunities for youth to gather, learn, serve, and walk with the Savior.

For more information, see:

2026 English-Speaking FSY Okinawa on Facebook

2026 English-Speaking FSY Okinawa on Instagram

Photos in this article are courtesy of Princess Grace Photography.  For additional photos, see FSY Okinawa 2026.