About our Main Speaker
We are excited to welcome Daniel Ritchie as our main speaker for the UBC Youth Conference 2026. As stated by Daniel himself,
“I was born without arms. But God is glorified in my difference and has given me a thriving life.”
Daniel studied at The College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he began to travel and speak while still a student. After 13 years serving as a student pastor, he felt God’s call to step into full-time evangelism and writing. Today, Daniel speaks to more than 200,000 people every year, carrying the gospel to churches, schools, conferences, college campuses, seminaries, and even professional sports teams. He is a published author of two books — My Affliction For His Glory and Endure — and in June 2025 was elected First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Daniel lives in North Carolina with his wife Heather and their two children.
His message is simple and powerful: if God can bring a man born without arms to a place of deep contentment, joy, and purpose — He is most able to do the same for anyone. We are honored to have him bring the Word to dive into what it truly means to be Made for More.
Dennis Sichkar
Topic: Stop Snacking on Sin
Bio: Denis Sichkar, currently serves as one of the pastors of 1stUEBC, Philadelphia. He is a committed husband, father, and bi-vocational pastor. His background consists of a Ukrainian heritage, UBC Youth ministry, engineering occupation, theological education at Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary & Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and some light recreational sports (UBC Youth Soccer and Volleyball Champion 😀) Denis and his wife Olya have two awesome daughters: Naomi and Mira.
Vlad Shanava
Topic: Authorized but Powerless
Bio: Vlad currently serves as the President of UBC Youth, leading and uniting the next generation across the Ukrainian Baptist Convention’s network of 24 churches. He also serves as a Youth Leader at his home church, Ukrainian Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ. He comes from a Ukrainian family with deep roots in the church, and his heart for ministry is something he shares alongside his brother, who serves faithfully in the same community.
Professionally, Vlad carries experience in both medicine and business, and brings that same drive and discipline into his leadership within the church. Vlad is a committed husband to his wife Jenea, married in 2025, and brings the same devotion to his home that he does to his ministry. His passion is raising up a generation of young men and women who take their faith seriously, live with intention, and walk in the fullness of what God has called them to.
Tim Letushko
Topic: I am Clay in His Hands
Bio: Tim Letushko, currently serves as the Vice President of UBC Youth as well as the Lead Youth Leader at The Gospel Church of Vineland, NJ. He is from a family of Ukrainian immigrants and a family of pastors, church leaders, and ministers. He is also a committed husband, father, worship leader, youth leader, and the eldest of four siblings. He has a background in finance and the Re-Insurance industry, and currently works as an Auditor. Tim has also been a musician for over 15 years, and he consistently serves the Lord with his talents. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology of Music from the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine. He is also part of the reigning UBC Youth volleyball championship team. Lastly, Tim and his wife, Evelyn, just welcomed their first child, Jonah. Throughout Tim’s life, the Lord’s hand and goodness have been over his family and his life.
David Pavlyuk
Topic: Безумовна Любов
Bio: Давід Павлюк є лідером молоді в церкві Church of Hope у Шарлотті та служить секретарем некомерційної організації Uplift Ukraine. Він захоплений поширенням Євангелія та служінням тим, хто цього потребує — як локально через служіння молоді, так і на міжнародному рівні через волонтерську роботу, підтримуючи громади в Україні.
Nikita Isakov
Topic: Мотивація Творчості та Нових Пісень
Bio: Нікіта Ісаков — християнський артист, автор пісень та продюсер з Києва, Україна, і один із провідних голосів гурту Purim Music — християнського прославляючого колективу з Києва. Його музика досягла слухачів по всьому україномовному світу, поєднуючи щире поклоніння із сучасним звучанням. Нікіта пише та продюсує музику, що укорінена у вірі, і його пісні стали невід’ємною частиною поклоніння в українських християнських спільнотах.
What to expect:
The Word
At the heart of the UBC Youth Conference is the Word of God. Expect powerful, life-changing preaching that challenges you, moves you, and points you to Christ.
Worship
Worship at this conference is reverent and purposeful — a genuine response to God, not a performance. Come ready to sing, reflect, and encounter the presence of the Lord.
Main Speaker & Breakout Sessions
Daniel Ritchie will be bringing the main sessions, with additional breakout sessions covering topics relevant to where you are in life and faith. Every session is designed to send you home with more than you came with.
Food & Fellowship
Good food and real community go hand in hand. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with young people from across the UBC network, share meals, and build friendships that last beyond the weekend.
Friday, April 24th
6 PM – Arrival, Registration, Coffee
7 PM – Session #1
9:30 PM –Bonfire & Fellowship
Saturday, April 25th
10 AM – Session 2
11:15 AM – Coffee Break
11:30 AM – Breakout Session 1
12:30 PM – Breakout Session 2
1:30 PM – Lunch
2:30 PM – Activities/Volleyball Tournament
6:30 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Session 3
9 PM – Evening Activities/ Fellowship
Sunday, April 26th
11:30 AM – Session 4 (Lunch to Follow)
Things to do!
Cafes
- Bakery & Cafe Kazka (5 min)
- Vanilla Café (10 min)
- Café Carmela (10 min)
- Be Well Bakery and Café (12 min)
Activities
- TopGolf (5 min)
- Philly SkatePlex (10 min)
- Flyers Skate Zone (10 min)
- Bowlero (20 min)
- Reading Terminal Market (30 min)
- Philadelphia Art Museum (30 min)
- Franklin Institute (30 min)
Sights
- Bryn Athyn Cathedral (15 min) – A stunning medieval-style cathedral with breathtaking grounds and gardens. Free to walk the grounds.
- Art Museum Steps (30 min) – Iconic steps made famous by Rocky.
- Morris Arboretum & Gardens (30 min) – 92 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, trails, and tree collections. Peaceful and scenic.
- Cira Green Rooftop Park (35 min) – A free public park on top of a 12-story parking garage with panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline. A hidden gem.
