Tell Us Your Convention Story! November 9, 2008
Posted by velocityreborn in Events.trackback
Did God do something amazing in your life at this year’s convention? We want to hear about it!
Comment about your Convention Experience here. If you have a friend that went, get them to comment! If you are a leader that brought a group, we want to hear your kid’s stories!
We are made overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, so give it up, New Jersey!
Hey,
This was my first year going to Youth Convention.
I went as a student youth leader, or some title like that. I won’t leave a grand back-story here mainly because my past doesn’t matter. This convention taught that what I do with my life NOW is what matters — not who I was or what I did. God is who — and what — matters.
The most memorable part about convention, for me, was during Session 2. I went up for the alter call. When I opened my eyes, — after praying while facing the ground, kneeling — I looked around me. I saw the lights and the fog. I took in powerful sounds of the Desperation Band. I felt the presence. I was in the moment. But, I felt as if this scene was familiar. The sounds, lights, and fog.
I realized that where I was kneeling was the exact place where I had prayed one of my first “alter prayers” 10 or more years before during a “He is Alive” performance. That experience — that revelation — made me think about all those “in between” years. It made me think about ‘what I said’ I’d do for God then, and ‘what I had done’ for God since. I thought, “All I did, was talk — or pray — a good game.”
Right then, I was hopeless. “I don’t do the things that I promise to do, God.” I wept. I tried to follow. I tried to do “Godly” things. I thought I knew about God.
But, I was wrong. I was trying to follow God while leading Him. That’s not what I was made to do. I was made to surrender — to worship and love. Not to try to play “God” of my life.
With this I decided that — wherever God takes me — I’ll follow. Even if it doesn’t make sense, even if I look crazy, I’ll do it. Because I know that God+me is always the majority — thanks for that one, Fabian — and I know that He always wants to be a part of my “now”.
Now, I choose to let Him. Now, I have hope because I’m letting God be ‘my God’ — my Lord.~
With that said, I was usually disappointed with various convention style Youth events. I’d go there. Feel great. Sing songs. Make God promises that I knew I wouldn’t keep. Then go back to “reality”. But, after this convention, I see that convention can be — and is — “reality.” If I can let God make “the ordinary”, extraordinary at a church surrounded by 100s of people that I don’t know, then why can’t I let God do that everywhere?
But, this year I went to convention for the first time. I went with an attitude that said, “God, I want what I experience and what I do to be my ordinary. I want to experience you like I do at Convention. But, I want everyone to be touched in the same way. Make this extraordinary”
Surprisingly, I wasn’t disappointed with this event. My ordinary is now changed. Because ordinarily, I would leave these events and let God be “God of someone else” again.
Now, he’s my God. That’s what’s Extraordinary.
In His Service — and I mean it,
A Calvary Lighthouse Youth
Hi, this was my first year going to a youth convention, but this was the best ever! I grew up in a Christian family and was saved when I was four years old, but God wasn’t really REAL to me. Because I grew up with the Bible and all that…I really didn’t read it that much. I didn’t really pray that much and when I did, I didn’t really mean it. Lets just say my faith was really LAME! I was going downhill. But then something wonderful happened to me. My youth pastor came! At that time, there was really not that many youth so we didn’t have an OFFICIAL youthgroup. But then me and alot of my friends turned into teenagers and we needed a youth pastor. So, Justin came and let me tell you…he is the BEST ever! Anyways, he got me back on track with God and I felt a great relief. But, I had trouble seeing who i was and really why I was on the earth. Now lets get back to the convention…it was the BEST thing that has ever happened to me! I don’t know how to describe it, but it was soooooo awesome. I am 13 (almost 14) years old. I went to the first session at the convention expecting something great but I didn’t get something great…I got something extraordinary and amazing! And I have to say that I’M IN LOVE WITH THE DESPERATION BAND! Anyways, during the worship I felt the presence of God so much and I felt closer to God then I ever have before! I prayed and cried my heart out and the next 3 seesions just got better! Tony Cruz is an AMAZING speaker and he said the perfect
I am not the same person that I was when I walked into that building. I am a changed girl! And I have to tell you that the youth in my youthgroup that went to the convention went back to church on Sunday and made a great difference! We prayed over all the youth. We cried. We hugged. We joined hands in unity for Christ. This changed my life and I just have to say that was(and is) all was one word(or two!)…EXTRA ORDINARY!
words! I also love all his crazy stories!
With love for God,
Bethany Falzone (a student of the [Encounter.Project] )
This was my 3rd convention, and the 1st time I really ever felt something. I have heard Tony Cruz speak at the Northwest Section Snow Camp in January, and I was glad I got to hear him speak again. During the first three services during worship and the alter calls I honestly didn’t rally feel any thing. However during the 4th and final service, when Tony Cruz said to make it personal, I really started to think. I went to the alter to pray, when Tony said to think of a person you are close to who don’t know the Lord I immediately started to think of my friend Nicole. Nicole is really close to me and is pretty much like my sister. I started to picture her and started to cry really hard. I started to pray that she would open up her hind and heart and listen to what Angela(my other really close friend and almost like a sister) are saying. On the ride on I sent Nicole a text message, still praying that she would get to know the Lord. I told her that I loved her more then she could imagine, and that I cried for most of a alter call, because she does not know the Lord, and I promised her I would not preach to her. The next day, which happens to be today, I got a text message from her saying that she would talk about God with me.
This convention was not like any other I have been to.
God Bless You All!<3
Kacki[Velocity.Reborn student]
the ONLY bad feedback i have…
the LED’s were a little overboard, and the bass pretty much gave me a new heartbeat during each song.
Over this weekend i had a lot of highlights, like #1, oh i dont know, say, Desperation Band, Tony Cruz, and friends… But the thing that really made it completely awesome was the alter. The alter is the one place I came face to face with God after a long time away. I was trying to let everything jsut go passivly as i said what ever to things that were really important.
This is my 6th convention, and my last as a student… And wow, did i ever enjoy myself. The only one that topped this was the one last year. But not because music or something like that but because that is where i heard my call to the field AND Filled wioth the Holy Spirit for the first time EVER. I was amazed and completely overcome with a sence of belonging. And I can’t believe that i almost let that go over the past few months. Over that time, i felt numb to God and a distraction came between me and the most important thing in my life. But God is faithful like that. He always finds his lost sheep.
Thanks for ANOTHER SPECTACULAR YEAR NEW JERSEY!!!!!!!
~Sheldon Lightfoot (First Assembly of God Freehold NJ.)
This was my 2nd year 2 convention…and it was one of the most powerful experiences in my whole life. Camp’07 (iCamp) was the greatest but convention is just a hair under it! Camp is were i was saved.
From the worship to the messages…wow.
Desperation Band(omgoodnes!) and Chris Coleti Band were so great. I really feel into worship. And Tony Cruz is my favorite speaker. His words speak so clear to me.
The messages really moved in my life and opened my eyes to a more real relationship w/ God. The Friday night service, “The Portrait” was a very powerful message. Past, Fears, and Failure…the 3 things that hold us back from showing the true masterpiece God created us to be.
My life will be never be the same….and thats a good thing.
I can’t wait ’til Winter Retreat and Camp’09!!!
WWJD?
FUS!*N!
♥
I was always trying to grasp the real God. A relationship with Him. But, i never could force myself to sit and talk with God. I mean, I prayed and all, but that wasn’t enough for me. I told my youth pastor, Justin, that i always felt like I was going to be the one who backslid or just never had the relationship that God wanted me to have. THAT beth, was before the convention. Everything that happened from the moment we stepped into that first session was life changing. I began to feel a need to read my Bible. I wasn’t satisfied if I didn’t. Everywhere I looked, a certain scripture seemed to follow me, 1 Tim. 4:12. It’s my verse now. Something I’ll remember always, because of you, because of the convention, and ultimately, because of Christ. Thank you for renewing my faith in myself.
Well this was my first youth convention. i wasn’t sure hoe it was going to be and what was going to happen. but god really worked in my life. the last service tony cruz was talking about how god has a calling for your life. so i went up to the alter and just cried to god. and it just hit me that god wanted me to be a youth pastor. god spoke to me in a might way those two days and i cant wait for the years to come!
Erica LaPooh( First Assembly of God Freehold)
Well this was my first youth convention. i wasn’t sure hoe it was going to be and what was going to happen. but god really worked in my life. the last service tony cruz was talking about how god has a calling for your life. so i went up to the alter and just cried to god. and it just hit me that god wanted me to be a youth pastor. god spoke to me in a mighty way those two days and i cant wait for the years to come!
Erica LaPooh( First Assembly of God Freehold)
I went to at least two of these conventions this was my third that I had attended and all of them were worth it was so much better than staying at home and doing nothing i felt the presence of god in the room at convention with my friends and my family I can’t wait until next year my cousin wants to come with me next year now my mom’s fam in michigan are going through a rough time but even though they are a bit upset right now I am confident that God is and is already at work into their lives he’s been in my life since my a beloved family member had died and it gave me a major boost that i don’t want me or others to be upset with themselves that they’ll do anything to numb the pain and the hurt
but there is an upside my mom’s family aren’t in deial of the problem they are getting better and better and so is the problem it’s improving
ok so at convention, the one thing that really changed my life was when Tony Cruz said, “Christians don’t tell lies; they sing them.” That really hit me hard because im on the worship team at church and i really like to sing. i never actually thought about the words of the song before he said that. now, whenever i hear a song or see the lyrics during worship, i dont sing them unless i mean them or understand them. God really messed me up since then, and im soooo greatful!!!
HEY ! This was my first time going to a youth convention (my best guy friend asked me to go =] ) and I absolutly loved it ! Scotty Gibbons was an amzing speaker and he spoke into my heart all weekend! He told us heart warming and heart-healing stories that changed my life. Scotty said that God would give you a chance to tell my friends or the people around me about God. Boy did he! I am a member at Peer at my school (BTW I wrote a goal for Speed the Light for about $100) and I really wanted to let them know what went on this weekend. So I told them about STL and a story that touched my heart. It was a story that Scotty wrote about in his book ,”Overflow” which I feel in love with it. The story was about 2 missionaries going to Haiti and helping 2 orphaned kids whos mother died and father was nowhere to be found. Even the relatives treated the kids as their slaves! So I read them the story (located on pg.22-24) and their hearts broke. Then I told them about how much I wanted to raise, and as soon as i finished about 5 kids ran up and gave all that they could or what was left in their pockets. I felt amazing becuase God gave me the stregth to tell my friends about Christ. Even kids i never hug out with asked me, “Can i read that book when ur done with it?” God really helped me, and now im looking to sell my ipod and cell phone becuase i would rather give that money im wasting toward kids who need the Lord. Scotty really changed me this weekend and im glad my friend invited me because i already want to sign up to go to AIM ‘09 because i know God wants to use me and i know He has a plan for me. Im not letting this chance go by. Thanks Scotty for doing an awsome job. (AND thanks sooo much fabian for being an awsome guy that didnt make me feel like an outsider!) I know the Lord is going to help me raise the money (I already have about $30 worth) but now, after the change i feel, i think he wants me to raise more. Wish me luck! -Soon to be Missionary- AIM ‘09 !♥