An Unexpected Weekend Blessing

I traveled to Andrews this last weekend on a mission to recruit staff for ThisGeneration’s summer program in Dayton. I made plans for the trip prior to knowing what was happening there. I discovered that GYC Great Lakes was going.

I was a bit worried that the people I would want to talk to would be preoccupied with other things. Nathaniel Gibbs certainly was (but that was because he was so involved). However, I found the overall experience to be a blessing (and I still was able to do some recruiting; thanks Kamil and Emily!).

Ty Gibson was the main speaker, and he was presenting on his normal, favorite subject: the love and character of God. Even though I have heard a few things of his, it was still a large blessing. Having Jesus presented as the great drawing force in my personal life is so much more attractive than preparing for the second coming on a fear basis.

It’s the kind of thing that makes me want to be a Christian. To stand up and be a defender of God’s honor.

I salute Ty and the Light Bearers/ARISE combo. I hope for great things. Courage.

Another GYC Special Music

Here is another special music that was nice.

Kaleb Genstler and Joshua Nebblett play “Captivate Us”.  This is really well done.

There’s another special music I’m looking for where the two guys sang a duet together.  Anyone know if there’s a video of that somewhere?  It was good.

GYC 2011 Impressions

GYC’s focus on the Holy Spirit this year was something special.  I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true (this was my eighth GYC).  All the prayer after the evening meetings was really nice.  Everything really combined to touch hearts and to mend relationships.  The mending relationships aspect occurred several times for me, and it was a result of the messages that dwelt on walls and barriers coming down.  It reminds me of how reconciliation is pictured with revival before the fall of the latter rain in some of the writings of Ellen White.  Humility is very much combined with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, it seems to me.

Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Recommended listening: Kameron DeVasher’s third evening message, Sebastien Braxton’s Sunday morning charge, and Dwight Nelson’s Sabbath sermon.  Oh, and I went to Roy Gane’s seminar on the Spirit-saturated life, the Spirit and the sanctuary, and the Spirit and the seal of God, and it was FANTASTIC.  The message on the seal dealt clearly and effectively with fears that people have about the judgment.

I was able to make a lot of great connections for ThisGeneration’s programs.  Different evangelism schools were interested in coming and helping with training at our programs.  Unfortunately, sometimes it felt like running around for the ministry detracted from the GYC experience.  On the plus side, there has been a whiplash effect for me in the sense that the blessings from GYC have caught up with me after the conference ended, praise the Lord.

Also, when a pastor goes to GYC for the first time to try it out, it might end up in a powerful sermon like this one at the Kettering SDA church last Sabbath by Karl Haffner.

GYC 2011 Audio Now Up

GYC audio is now arriving online, for those that don’t know.

(I’ll link to the audio on Audioverse as soon as they put it on their site.)

The Best (IMO) Special Music at GYC

This girl had the absolute best voice at GYC. I heard her testing the mics, and I thought, “Man, I HAVE to hear that one.”

It was fantastic in person. Sung by Hope Montana.