WASHINGTON (ABP) -- The Baptist World Alliance has scheduled its next global youth conference for July 20 - Aug. 3 in Leipzig, Germany.

Thousands of teenagers are expected to gather in the central German city to “join together in worship and in missions and to see what God is doing among youth around the world,” organizers said.

Past BWA youth conferences were in 1998 in Houston and in 2004 in Hong Kong, drawing 8,000 and 4,000 people, respectively. This year's host city is notable as the home of the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), the Lutheran church where famed composer Johann Sebastian Bach worked as organist and choirmaster. It is also the location of Leipzig University, which was founded in 1409 and is one of Europe's oldest universities.

Events at the 2008 conference will include morning worship services, concerts and evening sessions with keynote speakers. Opportunities to participate in mission projects throughout Europe prior to and following the conference will also be available, organizers said.

Early registration will end March 31.

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