The Encounter Conference for young leaders took place on Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12, 2013. Leaders from 12 different states were encouraged to “Hunger” after God in a way they had never hungered before.
The weekend was kicked off with passionate and energetic worship by the SOS (Spirit of St. Louis) Church worship team led by Mike Skiles, followed by a message given by NYD Joe Skiles. He challenged students, ministers, and bishops to hunger and thirst after righteousness according to Matthew 5:6.
Next ILD Director Randy Lawrence Jr. spoke on the importance of remaining hungry, and warned against the dangers of a spirit with no appetite. The afternoon session brought in a panel of leaders to take on the questions of both those in attendance and those “tweeting” in over live stream. Pastors Russell Hylton and Eric Scott of Bethel Family Worship Center in Indianapolis, IN, and National Youth Directors Joe and Teena Skiles gave wisdom to those listening as they answered questions, such as “How can I grow my youth?” and “How can I be a leader as the youngest person in my youth group?”
Keynote speaker Adam McCain brought forth a message about Multi-Generational Ministry. Tom Skiles, pastor of SOS Church, taught on Saturday morning the importance of those who were formerly prodigal sons and daughters reaching out to the LOST prodigal sons and daughters. Then Adam McCain took the stage for the last session teaching on the importance of Faith, Hope, and Love.
While what I stated above is a report of what physically happened over the weekend, the truly incredible things are what spiritually happened. While I can’t speak to the experience of others, I can honestly say that the presence of God came and rested on the Encounter Conference and did not once relent. I watched as people fell to their knees for their Creator with a hunger that sent pangs through the spirit and refused to be satisfied by anything else. I saw a generation, my generation, that refused to be called fatherless, kneel in the presence of a Heavenly Father. I saw a generation that wasn’t lost, but desired, above all, revival. I watched as leaders poured through the doors having driven ten or more hours just to have an encounter with God. I didn’t see a generation that evades responsibility, or that has no respect for their Pentecostal heritage, but a generation with a craving to be used by God, willing to be forged by fire, and desiring to take up the mantle of those that have gone before them.
Encounter Conference was not just a youth conference; it was a glimpse into the bright and vibrant future of the Pentecostal Church of God. There were moments where age didn’t matter, experience didn’t matter, education didn’t matter, because we all stood together as prodigal sons and daughters rejoicing because we once were lost but now we are found.
The real report is about people having an encounter; and that we did. I sat in the video booth and watched with tears rolling down my face as young and old stood together with a desire to shake the pillars of heaven. I saw current pastors empowering future pastors. I saw district bishops crying out to God for the young leaders of this organization. If you didn’t make it to Encounter Conference 2013, then plan for 2014. It’s not another youth service; it’s not another camp meeting; it is an encounter with the Creator, a Creator that loves us.
No comments:
Post a Comment