I am just getting back from Conclave Youth Conference held in Chattanooga, TN. I enjoyed encouraging and equipping student ministers with resources that can be found on this site. I ran into and prayed for youth leaders from GA, SC, NC, FL, AL, TN, KY, LA, MO, and IL.
Upon providing resources to these men and women, I prayed that God would start a disciple-making movement in their region that would branch out through their state and beyond.
One of the highlights from the conference was hearing from keynote speaker Former Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coach Mark Richt. Coach shared some stories about football but more importantly shared some stories about life.
He shared how Christians can overcome their fear with faith. He gave youth leaders lessons on leadership that related to humility, self-worth, and positive thinking.
Though sidelined with Parkinson’s Disease, Coach maintains a positive outlook on life by focusing on 2 Corinthians 4: 17: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
In fact, Scripture memorization was a key theme of the conference. I loved it because I know that memorizing Scripture plays a big role in discipleship. With AI sometimes distorting God’s Word, having the Word and holding it in our heart is vital.
I was also reminded at this conference that the next generation is the now generation. So many times, when the words next generation are used, people’s thoughts gravitate to thinking about the generation that is up and coming.
However this type of nomenclature can skew the meaning of the words. This is because we must remember that what God is wanting to do in the lives of the next generation is something he is wanting to do in THIS generation!
God continues to use the next generation in mighty ways to advance the gospel TODAY. He always has and He always will! ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ (Matthew 21:16b).