Elevate Youth Convention
For five days we watched our young people take in God’s Word, praise his name together in worship, and join each other in prayer. They experienced fellowship through afternoon activities, games with emcees, climbing mountains, and more! Hundreds of students are growing in Christ! The Lord has gifted us with these wonderful students, and he has allowed us to join him in raising them up and sending them out! In that, we have a lot to be excited about!
At Elevate Youth Convention (EYC24) we focused on God’s handiwork in this universe, in this world, and in each one of us. Our theme was “Crafted,” based on the verse in Ephesians 2:10 (ESV), “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
It’s easy to have a good week when you are living in the truth that you are God’s handiwork, crafted in his image, always on his mind, and that he created you with purpose! In watching our youth grow in these truths, it was clear God is moving and building something in them! Hebrews 3:4 reads, “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”
Won’t you join me in praying that God would give us wisdom, joy, grace, and a spirit of generosity, as we raise up these future mothers, fathers, leaders, elders, missionaries, and pastors?
-Brandon Pangman
Director, North American Mission
At Elevate Youth Convention (EYC24) we focused on God’s handiwork in this universe, in this world, and in each one of us. Our theme was “Crafted,” based on the verse in Ephesians 2:10 (ESV), “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
It’s easy to have a good week when you are living in the truth that you are God’s handiwork, crafted in his image, always on his mind, and that he created you with purpose! In watching our youth grow in these truths, it was clear God is moving and building something in them! Hebrews 3:4 reads, “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”
Won’t you join me in praying that God would give us wisdom, joy, grace, and a spirit of generosity, as we raise up these future mothers, fathers, leaders, elders, missionaries, and pastors?
-Brandon Pangman
Director, North American Mission
Elevate 2024 has been in the works for over two years. A theme was prayed over and chosen. Sessions were deliberated over and brought before the Lord. Speakers and a worship team were called. Entertainment was chosen. Breakout sessions were decided upon, and individuals were selected to mentor and encourage any youth worker or leader present.
July 2 arrived, and the students soon followed, filling dorm rooms, eating in the cafeteria, and finding their seats in the auditorium for the evening session. We had spent over two years planning the convention, but there was no guarantee that things would go the way we had hoped they would, the way that we had planned.
But that’s the thing about plans―ours are not as important as God’s. Although God worked through the planning we had done for Elevate 2024, he also worked in ways far beyond what we could have accomplished.
The many leaders who were working alongside the youth can testify to the truth that God worked in mighty ways. He broke down walls. He shaped hearts. He changed lives. He restored relationships. He called his children to repentance and forgiveness.
Our plans were not perfect, but God crafted a plan and moved in ways that caused us to lift our hands in praise and fall to our knees in worship. I look forward to the plans he has for the future.
-Daniel Stenberg
Director, Elevate Youth Convention
Rev. Daniel Stenberg is also Pastor at Calvary Church in Bergenfield, NJ.
July 2 arrived, and the students soon followed, filling dorm rooms, eating in the cafeteria, and finding their seats in the auditorium for the evening session. We had spent over two years planning the convention, but there was no guarantee that things would go the way we had hoped they would, the way that we had planned.
But that’s the thing about plans―ours are not as important as God’s. Although God worked through the planning we had done for Elevate 2024, he also worked in ways far beyond what we could have accomplished.
The many leaders who were working alongside the youth can testify to the truth that God worked in mighty ways. He broke down walls. He shaped hearts. He changed lives. He restored relationships. He called his children to repentance and forgiveness.
Our plans were not perfect, but God crafted a plan and moved in ways that caused us to lift our hands in praise and fall to our knees in worship. I look forward to the plans he has for the future.
-Daniel Stenberg
Director, Elevate Youth Convention
Rev. Daniel Stenberg is also Pastor at Calvary Church in Bergenfield, NJ.
I was asked to be one of eight speakers for EYC24. Initially, I wondered how this would all come together. Could eight different individuals attempt to convey one overarching message about being “crafted” by God? I spent a lot of time praying that the Lord would give the eight of us one voice so that we could communicate concisely and effectively to those present. As I sat and listened to the other speakers, I was amazed how the Lord wove each of our messages together to clearly present his Truth each session. Elements touched upon in one message were then picked up and elaborated on by the next speaker. I saw the impact this consistency had on the students as they responded following each session.
Here are just a few highlights:
After the first session, students were looking at their surroundings differently as they marveled at God’s handiwork. After the second session, students told me they would always remember how valuable they are to God from the illustration of a dollar bill. Whether the dollar bill was in mint condition or completely crumpled it still had the same value. Likewise, we are like crumpled, wrinkled, worn dollar bills, but because of Christ, in the eyes of God we have complete value.
The third and fourth sessions, pointed to God’s redemptive plan in our lives and an invitation to receive Christ was given. Session 5 led the students to use God’s Word as a manual that points us to Immanuel! Students left session 6 hand in hand, celebrating their earthly and heavenly friendships. And in session 7 students and leaders were driven to their knees in prayer, knowing that their Creator is always listening to them. Finally, as they left session 8, students were empowered and energized to live out and share their faith with those around them.
It was an amazing week at EYC24! My prayers are with everyone as they return home to recover, to process the tremendous week we had together, and to see how God will utilize what they learned for his glory moving forward.
-Mike Natale
Speaker at Elevate Youth Convention
Rev. Mike Natale is Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Underwood, Minnesota and Director of Student Life and Associate for Recruitment at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Here are just a few highlights:
After the first session, students were looking at their surroundings differently as they marveled at God’s handiwork. After the second session, students told me they would always remember how valuable they are to God from the illustration of a dollar bill. Whether the dollar bill was in mint condition or completely crumpled it still had the same value. Likewise, we are like crumpled, wrinkled, worn dollar bills, but because of Christ, in the eyes of God we have complete value.
The third and fourth sessions, pointed to God’s redemptive plan in our lives and an invitation to receive Christ was given. Session 5 led the students to use God’s Word as a manual that points us to Immanuel! Students left session 6 hand in hand, celebrating their earthly and heavenly friendships. And in session 7 students and leaders were driven to their knees in prayer, knowing that their Creator is always listening to them. Finally, as they left session 8, students were empowered and energized to live out and share their faith with those around them.
It was an amazing week at EYC24! My prayers are with everyone as they return home to recover, to process the tremendous week we had together, and to see how God will utilize what they learned for his glory moving forward.
-Mike Natale
Speaker at Elevate Youth Convention
Rev. Mike Natale is Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Underwood, Minnesota and Director of Student Life and Associate for Recruitment at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Posted in Faith and Fellowship Magazine, North American Mission, Youth Ministry
Posted in Elevate Youth Convention, 2024-05
Posted in Elevate Youth Convention, 2024-05
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