The 100 degree-plus temperatures did not seem to dampen the spirits of nearly 7,500 students attending the “Big Youth Thing” Aug. 9 at Carowinds Theme Park in Rock Hill. The annual event, sponsored by the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s youth ministry group, combines a day at the park with a concert and a message oriented for youth in the evening. Most youth ministers see the day as an opportunity to bring youth in their community who may not visit their church, but will certainly feel the draw of the theme park.
David CrowderWhile most youth were enjoying the rides, the David Crowder Band held a question-and-answer session with student ministers. Crowder detailed their ministry in their local church and how it affects their larger, national ministry.
“We focus on our church in Waco (Texas) and if God wants to use these songs outside of Waco, so be it,” Crowder said.
Crowder and his band are members of University Baptist Church near Baylor University. After reading a survey which stated more than half of Baylor students never attend church during their college career, Crowder helped plant the church while he was a student.
“Our church is primarily made up of people who have been outside of church,” said Crowder. “Our feet are in two different streams. We are people in church culture working with people who are outside of church culture.”
Crowder also addressed current worship experiences and their challenge as marquee names leading worship for large groups of people, and specifically spoke of the concert at Carowinds.
“We just want to get a bunch of people together to sing to God – we’re all family here,” he said.
Jeremy Kingsley“The term ‘in concert’ means all together – what is going on up here on stage is the same thing that is going on out there,” Crowder continued.
Later in the evening, Jeremy Kingsley of One Life Ministries challenged students to examine their level of belief.
“How do you know if you believe like the demons believe or if you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins?” Kingsley asked.
Using John 3:14-15 as a focal passage, Kingsley encouraged all to look to Jesus and to truly have “godly sorrow” in their hearts.
“You have to turn to Jesus. Why? Because you are sorry for your sin,” he said.
“You get to Jesus, or it’s over. You get to him because you can’t wait to tell him you are sorry.”
And in challenging the students to a deeper belief in Jesus, Kingsley encouraged all to dig deep into scripture.
“Give me three people who will commit to reading the Bible, which will lead you to fall in love with Jesus, which will then lead you to obey him.”
More than 22 people made first-time commitments, and more than 50 people rededicated their lives to Jesus.