Youth called to share faith with urgency

FBC photo by Lauren Urtel

Students from First Baptist Church in Orlando pray during the two-day YEC conference sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Personal Evangelism Department.

ORLANDO (FBC)—”The Youth Evangelism Conference is like going to boot camp for your faith,” said Jessica Tavone, director of student ministries at Florida Gardens Baptist Church in Lake Worth, who brought eight students to the State Youth Evangelism Conference Aug. 1-2 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

FBC photo by Lauren Urtel

David Nassar addresses youth Aug. 1-2 at the YEC conference in Orlando.

“You have to train for battle,” Tavone said. “When students go back to school there will be distractions. This conference gives them the tools they need to focus on their faith. Many of these students are standing as lone soldiers for Christ in their homes and schools.”

The two-day conference, sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Personal Evangelism Department, themed “Urgency” from the verse John 9:4, focused on helping the more than 600 students in attendance be proactive about their faith.

“Big Daddy Weave,” a contemporay Christian gospel band led worship and key­note speaker David Nasser gave a three-part series leading students to examine their own faith and to encourage others in theirs.

Nasser, an Iranian-born minister and author who is the founder of D. Nasser Outreach in Alabama, speaks to more than 700,000 people annually.

Citing Isaiah 41:9, Nasser called students to trust God.

“We are desperate people with an urgent ‘emergency room’ situation in need of healing and help,” Nasser said. “Some of you have wounds that have not even begun to heal. Some of you are hanging on by a thread. Jesus can help but you have to trust that He will and be open to see that you need Him.”

In his second session focusing on Philippians 3:7, Nasser shared his own personal stories where he felt called to place God first in his life.

FBC photo by Lauren Urtel

FBC Orlando’s Chad Reeves leads a breakout session.

Confronting the students, Nasser asked “Is God your everything? That question is asked with urgency. The problem is not that we don’t want Jesus first but that we want Jesus plus family first, plus sports first, plus addiction first, etc. In the end, the question will not be if we were for Jesus but if He was our everything.”

“Never has there been a need for urgency more than today,” said Nasser, calling students to action in his final address. “Jesus modeled urgency through His life, He did this for us,” Nasser said, referencing John 6:35. “Jesus, with a sense of urgency, found a need and met that need. People’s biggest need is for the Savior, but Jesus would meet their immediate physical need first.”

Nasser asked students to meet people at their need as a way to build a bridge to share the Gospel.

“If you reach out to those in need they will come back wanting to know why,” Nasser said. “God wants to use you with urgency to go out into your world. The call is to meet the needs and not to let it bas a wasted opportunity. If you know the hurting by name then ultimately they will know Jesus’ name.”

Kyle Nelson, a 15-year-old from Providence Baptist Church in Palatka, said he felt convicted by Nasser’s series and rededicated his life to Christ.

“I felt my heart was divided and God was not a priority,” said Nelson. “I want to stand up not for what other people want but for what Jesus would want. I feel I can do that now and not worry about what others will think.”

Nelson was one of more than 140 students who came forward to accept Christ as their personal savior and rededicate their lives during the conference.

Breakout sessions, led by Florida Baptist youth leaders, were offered for both youth and ministry leaders. Topics ranged from “how to share your faith” to “sprucing up your devotional life.”

FBC photo by Lauren Urtel

Jay Weaver leads worship in the contemporary Christian gospel band “Big Daddy Weave” during the YEC.

“My students enjoyed the opportunity to choose discussion groups that focused on their individual gifts and weaknesses,” said Tavone, youth leader at Florida Gardens Baptist Church in Lake Worth.

The breakout sessions not only helped the youth but also “equipped leaders with necessary tools,” said Shane Kenney, youth pastor at North Oak Baptist Church in Citrus Springs. “As a leader, the conference opened my eyes to new ideas and what I need to do to be more effective.”

Over the two days, Kenney said he saw his students connect with the Gospel and each other.

“It has helped the kids come out of their shell and not be so shy,” said Kenney. “They are excited about their faith and when we return home hopefully their excitement will energize the entire youth group to act.”