Orland09 opens strong
By Amber Weigand-Buckley
Jeff Deyo led thousands of Assemblies of God youth in a powerful
time of worship during the first Orland09 youth\ service Monday night.
Chuckles from the students, parents and leaders paired shoulder-to-shoulder sent a current through the crowd gathered in the Orange County Convention Center as improv group Mad Dogs and Englishmen took to the stage to kick off the Monday night service time.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen, which is made up of Colin Hearn and David Christman, incorporated members of the audience into various skits and games in a “Whose Line is It Anyway” style.
Hearn (born in Lambeth, London, in the United Kingdom) attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has been a part of the cast for numerous productions throughout the United Kingdom and in the United States. Christman (born in Casper, Wyoming) who also holds many acting credits to his name, began his theater work in college.
The comedy duo will be presenting a Fine Arts workshop, entitled “Making it Believable: Drama,” tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Room S310 C/D of the Orange County Convention Center.
Inspiring the art
As students continued to pile in from the entrance doors, a sea of bodies pressed toward the stage for a front and center position as former AG worship pastor (First Coast Christian Center, Jacksonville, Florida) turned “American Idol,” Phil Stacey (www.philstacey.com) made a special cameo appearance. Stacey sung title track “Into the Light” and radio single “Shaken” off his debut album, Into the Light, releasing August 25.
As one of the top five finalists on season six of “American Idol,” Stacey’s powerful voice caught the attention of more than 30 million television viewers each week, and it’s that musical gift combined with his passionate heart for God that fuels every moment of his Reunion Records debut.
Having the perspective of an AG music minister and performer, Stacey knows the benefits of programs like Fine Arts to the student. “Growing up as an aspiring musician, nothing challenged me to improve and perform with excellence like the talent events I was able to participate in. Seeing other young people who excelled at their art was very inspiring,” reveals Stacey.” I believe the Fine Arts program is an integral part of the ministry of the Assemblies of God, raising up Christian young people to give their all to the glory of God!”
As evening worship revved up, led by recording artist Jeff Deyo, the convention center flooded with raised hands — students committed to give their lives away to champion the cause of Jesus Christ.
Investing in the next generation
General Superintendent George Wood and Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison were on hand to announce strategic investment in the next generation with the youth-ministry-in-a-box resource The Fifty-Two Volume III. Due to the support of the AGTrust in partnership with national Youth Ministries The Fifty-Two Volume III (www.TheFiftyTwo.com) will be distributed to all 12,400 AG churches in the nation.
Of that number, 73 percent are lead by volunteer staff. “We know these volunteers have a passion for ministering to students. But we also know their preparation and planning time for youth services is limited by their jobs and other responsibilities, said Garrison.
According to Dr. Wood this $2.5 million investment is a part of the focused initiative to meet the core values of the Fellowship: (1) To strategically invest in the next generation (2) Vigorously plant new churches and (3) Skillfully resource our Fellowship.
By the end of August, all churches should receive a letter with three complimentary membership codes to The Fifty-Two, Volume 3, along with instructions that can be given to volunteer or staff youth leader(s).
Rekindling the flame — reaching the city
Students participating in the Orland09 AIM Outreach gathered center stage loaded with bags of groceries for a commissioning service, lead by Student Missions Director Chet Caudill and Southeastern Spanish Youth Director Mark Vega. The commissioning was highlighted by a prayer service lead in both English and Spanish.
AIMer and Fine Arts participant Zane Burgess from Anchorage, Alaska (Muldoon Community Assembly), spent his 26 hours of his summer shoveling gravel to raise money to get to Orlando. In total, the youth group of 41 members raised $80,000 to make the trip. “I just wanted to come here and make a difference for Jesus. For me it’s more than just going coming to an event and getting something for myself. I want to give back. I want to leave an impact,” reveals Burgess. “I know I will be very busy this week, but I know it is worth it.”
Vega, co-host of the OrlandO9 outreach, author of Don’t Wait for Me to Die (Thomas Nelson) and pastor of Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, addressed the Monday night crowd. With a heart rooted in mentoring students, Vega founded IGNITE, Inc., an internship program that prepares young people called to full-time ministry but are unable to afford the $18,000 to $24,000 cost of one year in seminary. Students who complete the two-year program are able to receive the Assemblies of God ministerial credentials in their home district.
During Monday’s sermon “Raised to Rekindle,” Vega focused his text on Joshua 5:1-9. Gleaning from the lives of Joseph, Daniel, David and Esther, who were teenagers themselves when they were called out to fulfill their call, Vega inspired students to see themselves as God’s champions having the power to transform the world. Vega challenged students to let go of fear, dig deep into the truth of the Word of God and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Inspiring students to take up their call to be youth in ministry. In a recent interview with the Pentecostal Evangel Vega says, “Youth ministry does not equate to a junior anointing or a mini-anointing. We don’t; get a greater anointing as we transition through ministry. David was anointed prophet, priest and king while he was young, and the Spirit of God mightly came upon him.
“Youth need to know the Spirit of God is on them now. That’s all the need to succeed, prevail and conquer.”
For highlights of Orland09, including daily updates on callbacks and results, a downloadable version of the On Course/Fine Arts Official Program as well as video streams of evening services, visit the Fine Arts Web site at http://faf.ag.org.