By David Farlow
The International Youth Convention (IYC) of the Church of God impacted lives for Christ, July 14-17 in San Antonio. Inspirational conferences, service projects around the city, and times of worship were all purposefully designed to create moments for life-change. And lives were changed.
“IYC is all about life change and helping people making decisions that will affect their lives for eternity,” said Andy Stephenson, the convention’s lead organizer. “It is a place where people can hear from God.”
Speaking at Tuesday evening’s service, Becky Tirabassi challenged the youth to have hearts on fire for Christ. She said, “There are many Christians whose hearts have become dull or dirty by hidden sin in their lives.” She challenged the teens to live a holy life. In response, hundreds of students came forward at the end of the service to pray, and forty-nine of them dedicated their lives to Jesus.
On Wednesday afternoon, over 650 youth and counselors met at the emerging leaders gathering to discuss the different types of ministry and how the Lord is speaking into their lives. An incredible 416 youth came forward and acknowledged that they are feeling the call to full-time vocational ministry or missions.
“This was a place for the youth to become visible and express their level of commitment to answering what they sense is God’s call in their lives to ministry,” said Rev. Suzanne Haley. “These kids are serious about ministry, and we are serious about developing a courtship that will lead them to a career in ministry.”
Also on Wednesday, approximately 3,000 youth and counselors donated their time in service projects around the city as part of IMPACT San Antonio. The projects included: picking up trash, working in the parks, offering to pray with pedestrians, handing out water bottles to passers-by, playing with children at relief shelters, stocking shelves in food pantries, as well as many other activities. More than 6,000 hours of volunteer service were given back to the host city with love and appreciation.
But the giving didn’t end there. The youth-led Spread the Word (STW) offering conducted during the convention raised $50,776.90 to support mission projects on six continents in twenty different countries.
At the conclusion of the convention, students and leaders were sent back in to their communities to Reflect: Truth, Faith, Hope, and Love with the 360 Revolution challenge. The revolution calls for youth to pray for 3 friends 6 times a week, missing 0 opportunities to spread God’s love, all in an effort to continue life-change among those who attended the convention and with whom they will interact in their communities.
To fully appreciate the impact IYC had on our youth, read a few of the following IYC testimonies:
“At the beginning of the prayer walk, one of my teens said he could not go. He was very upset and said there was something he must do first. He had to call his father and ask for forgivingness. Our youth group prayed for him and then he called his father restoring a broken relationship. We didn’t complete the prayer walk but we were able to watch life-change happen in one of our own. What a blessing!” - Youth Leader from Arizona
“At the conclusion of the Monday night service, a teenage girl came forward in tears, seeking forgiveness and asking for salvation in Christ. She confessed her addictions to cocaine, marijuana and alcohol. Her entire face changed as we prayed together. She found the love of Jesus.” - IYC Prayer counselor
“The night that Becky Tirabassi spoke we were invited to come up and kneel and pray so I went up and prayed. I saw this girl to my left and saw that she was crying so I put my hand on her shoulder see looked back at me and put her hand on mine. I told her that "no matter what you’ve done God always loves you" then she gave me a hug and I told that I would be praying for her. I walked away to go back to my seat. I started praying that I could she her again to see if I made so impact on her life. On the last day I saw her and she said, ‘thank you, it meant a lot.’” - Jonathon from Indiana
“This was my son’s first IYC. When he came home I noticed that he was reading his Bible every morning and taking time to pray. I asked him what brought about this change. He said he committed at IYC to spend 20 minutes each day reading his Bible and praying. It is wonderful to see him earnestly seeking a stronger relationship with the Lord. Thanks IYC.” – IYC Parent from Indiana
“Our youth group volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club as part of IMPACT San Antonio. Our teens really connected with the children at the club. When it was time for us to go, the children begged us to come back. On the way back to our hotel the youth stated they wanted to go back to the club again and be with the kids. I reminded them the only time available in the schedule was on Thursday afternoon when the convention was over. That time had been set-aside for us to do a “tourist thing” and visit the Zoo. Our youth were all in agreement – forget the Zoo and let’s go back to the Boys and Girls Club. I called the club and they were more than eager to have come back again. It was a blessing to see our kids put service to others ahead of themselves.” - Youth Leader from Michigan
“On behalf of the city of San Antonio, I thank your organization and volunteers for their contributions to the beautification of HemisFair Park. We value your support…the painting, landscaping and maintenance services performed. The youth groups were polite, energetic and created a positive energy in the venue and among the staff. I thank you again for the services you provided to our city.” - Paula X. Stallcup, Director of Downtown Operations Department
The Lord was at work at IYC. Please continue to pray for those who have made a commitment to serve Him.