Authentic
National Youth Conference | Fort Worth, Texas, July 27-30
Imagine what would happen if 1,300 students from all over the country committed to living truly authentic lives, not afraid to be real with themselves and others. What if they chose not to be satisfied with a “going-through-the-motions” kind of relationship with their Creator and Savior? What if they completely defied the world’s view of Jesus and instead chose to worship Him as He truly is: glorious and all-powerful?
The 2014 National Youth Conference explored these concepts and more as students discussed what it means to be Authentic.
Services
Teens began each service with praise and worship led by the National Youth Evangelistic Team. The 13-member group of high school students traveled 3,400 miles this summer, sharing their talents in churches and Home Missions works through music and service projects.
The theme verse of the conference was Psalm 19:14. Students heard from a broad range of speakers who examined how important authenticity is in our lives and relationships. Neil Gilliland (pictured below), Eddie Moody, Angie Outlaw, and Richard Ross challenged students to be authentic by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit, taking a stand for what is right, and having an appropriate view of Jesus.
Four students shared testimonies called “Reality Check Stories,” encouraging fellow students to be transparent with their friends and to share God’s love by “taking off the mask” and living authentically.
Students also gave to the annual “Buck-A-Week” offering on Tuesday night, which totaled $2,561. These funds go to help International Missionaries launching Creative Access Ministries in Spain and church planters Randall and Collette Wright in McKinney, Texas. Tuesday evening’s Shane and Shane concert proved to be a time of enjoying great music as well as praise and worship.
Preschool and middle school students also enjoyed their own times of worship and lessons from God’s Word about being authentic. One preschool parent said, “My kids started asking about preschool worship as soon as we got suitcases out to head to the Convention. We have had three come through this, and I can’t thank you enough. It’s a ministry to my husband and I, but it feeds my children as well. We are beyond thankful.”
Competition and Seminars
On Sunday evening, Dr. Eddie Moody said that to be truly authentic we have to “strive for excellence. We have got to have something to offer the world to influence it.” NYC competition provides students that opportunity to strive for excellence in order to glorify God and to prepare to be authentic in a corrupt culture.
Students competed in a variety of events including Bible, music, art, and much more. This year’s competition saw a record 996 entries, 21 more than last year.
Attendees also had the opportunity to take in any of 51 Engage Leadership Network seminars and panel discussions on a number of relevant topics including Teenage Mentors: Why You Should Become One and New Life: A Discussion on Church Revitalization. Order seminar recordings at VerticalThree.com.
Reach That Guy
On Monday, Angie Outlaw made the statement, “Jesus is not here in the flesh, but He left us here to be authentic and share His love with people who are hurting.” One hundred forty-seven volunteers of all ages took this to heart, working for food banks, clothing donation centers, Habitat for Humanity, and a Red Cross blood drive as part of Reach That Guy service projects.
This also marks the first year for the Jim Lauthern Legacy Award, which will be presented to leaders who, like youth leader and visionary Jim Lauthern, have made a significant impact in youth leadership by investing time into the spiritual development of students and challenging them to be involved in ministries and events beyond the walls of the church. Thirty-three-year veteran student minister Curt Gwartney (pictured above) was selected the first recipient of the award as announced during the Wednesday evening awards ceremony.
Brandon Roysden, NYC director said, “This was an exciting time for Free Will Baptist young people. My two biggest prayers for them is that they leave this place with a renewed passion for living authentic lives, and that they find a heartfelt love for the people and ministries of our denomination. Events like this show us how much we can accomplish when we come together.”
For more NYC Photos: www.nafwb.yerbyphotography.com
NYC 2014 at a Glance
Registration: 3,251
Competitive Entries: 996
Engage Seminars: 51
Reach That Guy
147 volunteers
1,011 hours worked
Locations/projects:
Cook County Hospital, Food Bank.org, Tarrant Food Bank, Aunt Edna’s Closet, Habitant for Humanity
Buck-A-Week Offering $2,561
2015 Offering Recipients:
Steve and Becky Riggs (France)
Greg and Lea Floars (Sawyer, Michigan)
Truth & Peace Participants: 100
YET Participants: 13
Miles traveled: 3,400
Home Missions churches in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Colorado Springs, Colorado
Worked with churches in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Utah, totaling over 150 hours.
2015 YET Destination Northeast
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