First Priority held its first City-Wide Network Meeting of the year on Friday, March 11, 2011, at Vulcan Park. Nearly 50 youth leaders attended for a time of equipping, encouragement and fellowship. Everyone enjoyed hot coffee and delicious pastries from O’Henry’s.
Our special guest Evangelist Dave Edwards brought an inspirational message about battling discouragement in youth ministry. Dave read from 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Verse one tells us, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” Dave focused his message on four ways to battle discouragement and not “lose heart.”
1.) Spot the fight – don’t walk in craftiness, but walk in truth.
2.) Stay in faith – verse six says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” We need to get a fresh glimpse of Jesus and behold him.
3.) See the frailty of people – you cannot let the choices of other people make you quit when it’s the will of God.
4.) We have to sell out the focus of God – verse 14 says, “Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.” Everything that happens is a part of God’s plan so that His presence will be made obvious.
Dave closed with this: “If you wake up and serve every day, then you are winning the battle. Get back in the presence of God. Sell out the focus of God and the call He has for your life.”
Representatives from Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association and youthministry360 were also in attendance to provide youth leaders with educational material about their programs and upcoming events. Visit their Web sites below.
We would like to give a special thanks to everyone that attended and joined us for a great time of growth and fellowship. We would also like to give special thanks to Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, youthministry360 and Vulcan Park for helping to make this meeting a huge success. We would also like to thank Dave Edwards for an amazing message and words of encouragement.
Click here for City-Wide pictures
Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association