A movement of young worshippers in St. Louis.
Encouraging Nations Gospel Explosion is the umbrella organization behind the STL Youth & Young Adult Gospel Community Choir — a regional, multi-church youth gospel ministry headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
When churches reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic, many youth never came back. Coordinator JoAnn Roberson set out to change that by creating something that would positively inspire young people and pull them back to the church family — through music, fellowship, and the gospel.
From that vision came the annual STL Youth & Young Adult Gospel Explosion — a celebration that brings together youth choirs and praise teams from across the region. Past partners include Compton Hill Baptist, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist, Greater Fellowship Baptist, Galilee Baptist, Westside Missionary Baptist, the praise dance team Legendary Heat, and special guests The Williams Girlz from Columbus, Georgia.
"The youth are coming together in a positive environment, fellowshipping and having a great time. All I see is God doing bigger and better with this." — JoAnn Roberson
What we do
- Operate a 40+ member multi-church youth & young adult gospel community choir
- Host the annual STL Youth & Young Adult Gospel Explosion every October
- Partner with local churches for monthly rehearsals and worship
- Recognize and award youth participants for growth and faithfulness
- Provide a safe, spirit-filled alternative to electronics and the streets