Last weekend we attended a conference in Troy Illinois called the Fire Up Conference. There were 350 Sr. High age students there. They had hired Shane as the preacher. I was excited to take my friend Irene with me. She is a senior in high school and one of the teens I have the privilege of working with in the ministry. She has been highly involved in the ministry these last couple years and I wanted one last chance to spend time with her before she graduates. So often we have large groups of students around so it was a great chance for us to seek the Lord, while spending quality time together. I am sometimes a little apprehensive about conferences because I just think that today’s “Christian” generation is overwhelmed with conferences and sometimes students are tempted to be all about the fun weekend conferences and not so willing to follow Christ the rest of the week or year.

However, I was in awe of God and how He worked through the weekend. Shane Sanderson did an excellent job preaching 4 different times throughout the weekend. It was straight up, in your face, Bible preaching that struck right to the hearts of where American teens are today. So many students responded I couldn’t keep track. Sr. High boys were hugging each other in tears because of the decisions they were making for Christ! That was so encouraging to see young men turning to the Lord! The worship music was also refreshing and powerful. Worship was led by Harvest Ministry Praise Team.

After a message about Extreme Faith and giving your all to Jesus, I found myself in tears as I watched so many students responding including my friend Irene! I couldn’t help but praise God for what He was doing there. It wasn’t some cheesy emotional thing… it was HOLY SPIRIT POWER moving through those students. I am sure of it!

As I helped out in the small groups each day, I got to meet an encourage a missionary kid whose name was Faith. She was overwhelmed with missionary life and moving from place to place. We got to have some good conversations about God and our faith. She admitted she was doubting God some because of some stress and serious sicknesses in her family. I told her I would keep in touch with her and pray for her.

I also got to encourage some young men in my small group who admitted they were struggling to read the Bible at all. One boy said “I know I need to be reading the scriptures again”. Another boy spoke up and said “me too”. We talked about looking forward to and enjoying the time we spend with God and not having to dutifully force ourselves to read the Bible. We also talked about how God speaks through His Word. I also told them about Bible Quizzing and challenged them to start up a team in their youth groups. They had never heard of Bible Quizzing before but seem to be really excited to learn about it. I felt like these were very valuable conversations and that God was wanting me to be there to encourage not just Irene, but other students too.

Needless to say, it was an INCREDIBLE weekend and I’ll never forget the power of God in the gym there during the rallies and afterwards! Next year we are considering taking several of our students to this same conference. It was a valuable time of discipleship and gave the students an opportunity to get serious and respond to God. I am so glad Irene and I went. Irene decided she wants to do full time ministry also! Praise the Lord! She already is a minister in her high school and I can’t wait to see how God directs her life and uses her to build the Kingdom!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend! God Bless!

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