Something powerful: a student’s experience of NYC’04

Beep beep beep, thwack! I shut off my annoying alarm at 4:20 in the morning. I jump out of bed, and grab a quick shower and a bite to eat. I’m off to the airport, where I hop on a plane to Toronto.

Before I know it, I’m standing in a huge auditorium in a jumping crowd, watching bright lights flash around me, and singing a worship song. I stop myself for a moment, to take it all in.

I realize a stark contrast. I’ve heard some people paint a bleak picture of today’s youth and the future of the world. Yet I’m standing among hundreds of youth from across Canada with their hands raised high, their eyes closed in reverence and their lips calling out to God. I see hope. I see a generation of Christians who could change the world for Jesus.

Kevin Koop (left) and the Ministry Quest team serving at NYC’04

Powerful

I saw something powerful happen in Toronto this December. I saw people make a commitment to follow Jesus for the first time. I heard of youth taking steps of faith, talking about Jesus to people they never would have before. I conversed with youth who learned a lot about God but also about themselves.

Amy Robinson from The Dwelling Place in Kitchener, Ont. defined NYC as an “awesome life-changing experience.” She enjoyed the workshops Tuesday and Wednesday morning at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. (Topics ranged from sex to witnessing to understanding God’s will.) Amy especially appreciated the one called, “Could someone PLEASE tell me how the HECK I can find out if I am a leader?” presented by Carl Nash.

Another excellent workshop was “Just Another Bomb Track,” presented by Tom Friesen and Kevin Krumrei. This workshop was a great time of interaction and learning on the topic of social justice. Richard Wall of Port Rowan MB Church said, “Tom is fun, edgy, and smart.”

Workshops were a key part of NYC’04. The smaller group environment provided a non-intimidating atmosphere where youth could share and learn without feeling the pressure of a large group of people.

Personal

The workshops also played an important role in my NYC experience. I went to NYC not really knowing what to expect. I’m the sort of person who is intimidated by a massive crowd of strangers. The workshops, as well as some other features, made NYC more personal.

The welcome party run by the Glencairn MB Church youth made me feel, well . . . welcome. One youth, Dan Weber, smiling, came up and found out who I was and where I was from. I had barely been in Toronto at NYC and I was meeting new people and having a good time.

Another thing that made NYC stand out as far as feeling personal was the band that led worship, Starfield. After their main concert Wednesday night, Starfield went to the Delta Chelsea to “hang out.” They signed autographs by their display table and people sang as the keyboardist of the band played a nearby piano. I have never seen a band be so interested in getting to know a bunch of appreciative fans.

Pinnacles

The Starfield concert was one of two definite high points experienced in the large group meetings. There was a buzz among the youth coming away from that concert. Everyone was so excited about God after the concert. It was just an amazing show.

From a spiritual standpoint, the pinnacle was when main speaker Dave Overholt asked those who were ready to make a commitment to get to know Jesus for the first time to stand. It was powerful to see youth making the most important decision of their lives, and youth leaders laying their hands on the standing youth and praying for them.

So, after NYC I’m back on a plane to Saskatoon. I find myself thanking God for the opportunity to attend. I’m excited to take the things I’ve learned and apply them to my life. I’m inspired to take steps of faith in my life, in my high school back in Saskatoon.

I know I’m not alone. There are hundreds of youth who, being inspired by God through this experience, might share their newfound faith with their friends, buy a meal for a homeless person in their hometown or serve more within their church.

There is hope for the youth of today. There is hope in the person in that new NYC’04 T-shirt who will be walking the halls of their high school this year.

Kevin Koop attends Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.