Gathering News - National Youth Gathering 2010

Gathering News

Saturday our group did a little touring: airboat tours through the swamp/marshland. Then back to New Orleans and getting ready for the opening service. The opening service was LOUD. It included video interviews asking people on the street "what is truth?". Then there was the beginning of a 5 part drama; and a dramatic presentation of the creation of man and the fall into sin. The service finished with a blind speaker talking about the free grace of God, a grace you cannot earn, and challenging the youth to see the things "the world would have you believe" and get ready their answer as Christians. We went back to the hotel and read through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5); with our St. John Youth telling what (opposite things) the world wants them to believe. St. John members, be proud of your young people!

Sunday:
We began with Bible Study by Dien Taylor, on facing the problems and discouragements of life with God's promises. He took the young people mainly to John 11 and what Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and he who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?". We went to see "Lost and Found" and got to hear their "LC-MS Song". Then we listened to Bob Lenz. He had a powerful message against seeing any human life as not worthy. It is against euthanasia and any dishonoring of the weak or less able among us. He then told a personal story and introduced his sister who has Downs Syndrome. The young people responded with a standing ovation for her, and another rousing applause after she sang her song for them. Now I am sitting in a concert (Echelon - not as loud as last night) and watching the "Jesus Painter".