ROCK 2009 draws 6,500 youth
By Kevin Olchewsky
Conference Council of Youth Ministries
Vice President of Communications
The lives of those attending ROCK were shaken Saturday night, Jan. 31, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Convention Center in Ocean City. Evangelist Reggie Dabbs instructed the youth to stand if they had ever thought of suicide, were addicted to sexual desires or drugs, suffered from bulimia or anorexia, had felt unworthy or suffered from broken relationships." He recited each pain and then began a 20-second countdown, giving the youth time to weigh what was on their hearts. People began to rise one by one. With each half second someone else stood up.
After Dabbs finished naming a multitude of sins and a good portion of the room standing, he asked all of the mothers to "pray for your babies and adopt them." Hugs flowed from mothers in the room. The youth were bursting into tears as the Kingdom of Heaven opened up to them and they experienced God's agape love.
Stellar Kart took the stage and began to play solemn music as the room filled with prayer.
The night did not end yet. Dabbs asked those who wanted to accept Christ into their lives for the first time to come forward. The aisles were flooded as thousands of youth made their way to the front to accept Christ. They repeated after him, and many continued to cry, as God unveiled himself to them. To finish the night off, Stellar Kart played one worship song.
On Sunday morning, Dabbs encouraged everyone to go forth and remain strong in their faith and share that with everyone.
In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven...."
Life is not going to be easy. A Christian life is not a constant high and it often has its low points, but God is always with us no matter what. In times when God tests us, it is going to be hard, but fall back on God and you'll always come out on top.
As the body of Christ, all the believers are to help edify one another and spread the Good News. Leaders, keep loving your youth no matter how much it takes. Youth, respect your leaders and listen to them. God gave them a passion for youth so they are here to help us every step of the way. Everyone, seek God with everything you are and always keep God on your mind.
Now that many of you have Christ in your hearts, don't conceal that. Go forth and spread that with everyone you meet. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20, "...Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
