wfn.org | ABCUSA: National Youth Gathering Draws 1,800

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 7/23/04)--On July 10 close
to 1,800 American Baptist young people and youth leaders converged at the
YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Col., for Encounter/Encuentro, the 2004
National Gathering of American Baptist Youth. 

For six days conferees experienced dynamic worship, dramatic presentations,
small group Bible studies and rich encounters with God and each other. The
nightly worship services proved to be the high point for many, according to
the Rev. John Houlker, a National Christian Education coordinator with
National Ministries, who was co-director of the event with the Rev. Jackie
Saxon of Austin, Tex.

"God's Spirit was evident throughout the worship hall," says Houlker, "as
youth made first time commitments to Christ. Others came forward to re-commit
their lives, with many dedicating themselves to full-time Christian
ministry."  On hand to bring greetings during all-conference worship were the
Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA,
and the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, executive director of
National Ministries, who offered both words of inspiration and of challenge.

Sponsored by National Ministries, Encounter/Encuentro was the result of more
than two years of planning and preparation. Houlker and Saxon are grateful
for American Baptists throughout the denomination, who upheld the conference
with their prayers.  "We've seen young lives changed," Houlker says, "and
that is what we are about in youth conferencing."

John 4-the story of the woman who met Jesus at the well-provided the
scriptural foundation for the week's activities, as youth were invited to
seek to encounter Jesus and go deeper in their relationship with him. Each
day began with worship led by a team of vocalists and musicians from around
the country directed by the Rev. Aprilis Hernandez of Florida and the Rev.
John Polite of California and accompanied by a band led by Mike Loretto of
Indianapolis.

Following worship, youth met for Bible study in small groups with peer
leaders who had been recommended by their regions. The Bible study used a
curriculum developed specifically for the conference by the Rev. Wallace
Smith of Indianapolis and the Rev. Stacy Emerson of Connecticut. 

The Encounter/Encuentro mission project was directed to local needs in Estes
Park; supplies from church groups were brought for distribution among local
charitable organizations. In addition the conferees themselves donated more
than $8,000 to be divided between two local social service agencies. 

Houlker says the planners felt "with this many American Baptists gathered for
a week in Estes Park, the town should be aware that a people of God were
among them. Through the offering, we witnessed to God's love for the
community of Estes Park."

Afternoons offered workshops on a variety of topics, Taize worship, a prayer
labyrinth, and an Ice Cream Social/College Fair, where youth could learn more
about American Baptist-related colleges and seminaries. Visits to Rocky
Mountain National Park and late night concerts featuring contemporary
Christian music, plus games, movies and Coffeehouse "Estes Perk" were popular
venues.

The Rev. Chuck Armstrong, National Ministries' associate executive director
of Discipleship and Education Ministries, reflected on his observations of
Encounter/Encuentro: "God's Spirit moved in a tremendous way in and through
the youth and adults who participated in the 2004 National Youth Gathering.
We praise God for the impact this conference has had-and will have-on current
and future leaders in our denomination. God was definitely encountered!"     
     

K/2004ABNS/04ABN87

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org