It’s one thing to come to church or to do a service — it’s another thing to understand who you are in Christ,” said Wade Morris, speaking to more than 900 students and adult leaders at the state Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC).
Morris, one of three keynote speakers for YEC 2014, spoke to the large crowd gathered at Samford University’s Wright Center the evening of July 25, focusing his message on 1 John.
An annual event hosted by the office of collegiate and student ministries of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), YEC was held July 25–26 with the theme “Own It!”
Chris Mills, an associate in collegiate and student ministries for the SBOM, remarked on this year’s theme, “Is your faith built on your church, your youth pastor or your parents’ belief systems? What happens if these relationships or institutions crumble, let you down or fail? We wanted students to walk away challenged to truly own their faith. When each (conference) session was ‘added together’ we hope that’s what [participants] take away. We want them to receive Christ, live out their faith … and share Christ with others — to truly own it.”
75 make decisions
At this year’s YEC, 75 students made a decision to follow Christ, Mills reported.
“When 75 students choose to follow Christ and make commitments to share with their friends, I am reminded of the importance of these types of events,” he said. “God uses them in ways we can’t even begin to comprehend to make Himself known.”
YEC was broken into several sessions for students, each with its own focus (evangelistic, discipleship and missional). Unique elements at this year’s event included the onsite lunch that was added. There also was a breakout session, which included a separate session for girls and boys with an emphasis on the question, “What does it mean to live your faith as a young woman/young man?” In addition, a breakout session was offered for the adult leaders, challenging them to live an example of faith to their students.
Brad Averette, associate pastor and minister to students for First Baptist Church, Fayette, took nine students to YEC and noted the youth breakout session was a favorite aspect of the weekend for some in his group, including his son, Andrew.
“We had Robbie (Robison) as our speaker, and he really identified with us while we were in the room,” Andrew Averette said.
Fervent worship
The high-energy band The Museum set a worshipful tone for the two-day conference and led the students in fervent worship music with songs like “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord).”
The band also provided a late-night concert July 25, allowing participants to delve even deeper into worship. During the concert, some students and adult leaders flocked to the edge of the stage.
Mills said, “Each year we have a late-night activity. This is the first time in a few years that the late-night activity was a concert.”
In addition to Morris, other keynote speakers at YEC included Mark Cahill and David Nasser, who both delivered messages July 26.
Brad Averette, who attended his first YEC in 1990, said this was his third YEC since serving at First, Fayette. He noted YEC is an affordable and convenient event for students with quality speakers. Another important element, he added, is the spiritual aspect it provides participants.
Mills noted he and others are already busy preparing for 2015 by going through evaluations and working through plans for next year’s event.
“Each year after YEC, we come back with an open mind,” he said. “That’s the case this year. We are going to talk through each element and see what should be changed or tweaked next year.”
He added that “great reports” from the recent event are already filtering in from students and leaders alike.
“One student left us a note thanking us for making YEC happen. For me, that was the best affirmation we could ask for,” he said.
(Maggie Walsh contributed)
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