Over 500 students and youth leaders from across the state attended First Priority’s 2013 winter conference Alive in the Mountains. What a great way for youth groups to kick-off the new year! Students were challenged to answer the Great Debate: Truth vs. Doubt and they left knowing where they stand with Christ and how to defend their faith.
This year’s conference was held in Chattanooga, Tenn. at the Tivoli Theatre Saturday, Jan. 19 – Monday, Jan. 21. At Alive in the Mountains, we want to ensure that the content is Biblical, current and communicated effectively. Our speakers, Sean McDowell and Dave Edwards, brought some incredible messages to our students. Sean started our weekend with an exercise called “Atheist Role Play.” For over an hour, the students at the conference engaged Sean with questions about his beliefs as he pretended to be an atheist. Sean also shared with the students about the authority and authenticity of scripture in his other messages. During his talks, Dave helped the students live out the truth they had heard in a very practical way. When he wrapped things up on Sunday evening, students left feeling empowered and ready to represent Christ with boldness and humility. He was used in great ways in his sessions and over 30 students gave their life to Christ.
“For me, working back stage and seeing first hand students rush the stage to worship and draw near to God with other groups is a beautiful thing,” said First Priority Area Director James Cato. “In the past, I have had the opportunity to bring students to the conference and have personally seen God work in their lives. Students leave knowing more about their faith and feel encouraged to get out there and share their Hope in Christ with their peers. Alive 2013 was more about substance and content. Truth changed people, not entertainment. Proof for me is that 30 plus students put their hope in Christ for the first time and many entire youth groups recommitted their lives to Christ. Alive in the Mountains makes sense because our faith comes Alive and our students are changed and become Alive in Christ.”
We would like to give a special thanks to our speakers Sean McDowell and Dave Edwards; Christian Comedy Duo Kirk and Tyler; and Worship Leaders Kryst Lyke and Finding Favour. We would also like to thank all those again who attended Alive in the Mountains. We are already looking forward to next year! Be sure to click on the links below to view pictures from the conference.
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“The content and material were fantastic,” said Riverside Baptist Church Associate Pastor and Youth Leader Bill Golden. “The speakers were excellent; our students loved both of them. It was a rare opportunity to get to hear speakers of this caliber.”
“I love the length of the conference,” said Leeds First Baptist Church Youth Pastor Matthew Kamper. “Everything is within walking distance too! If you have it in Chattanooga again I will be there! The city is so easy to get around and family friendly.”