We thought it would be awesome to let you know of all the great things that happened out of our September 2011 ‘Love Is ___’ Event and Schools Tour, plus a little bit of info in the lead up to 2012.
In 1 week we visited 12 schools and spoke with over 4000 students. These schools were simply amazing and some of the best we have visited in 3 years. The reception “Everyday Process” , Ps Jono and Matt received was so positive and respectful with kids dancing, hanging around to chat, and then also coming to the event.
The tour culminated with close to 1200 kids turning up to Princes Wharf on Friday night where over 1/4 of the kids received Salvation. We had 250 new Christians pack ready and they all flew out. We are now following up on these kids through the local church. One of the key indicators of how the kids took up a “new life” is usually the amount of “promo” that is left of the floor at the end of the night – we hardly saw any – so the response was both genuine and we believe will stick.
HUGE thanks from Ps Matt, would love to be sent out to the following:
Jono Deal – Assistant Director and Schools Co-ordinator
Laura Bienefelt – Matt’s PA and a whole lot of everything
Liane Pearson – Venue Manager
Mel Docker – Volunteers
Craig Guntrip – New Christians
Johanna Bostock – Ticketing
Christie McConnon – Production
Nick Morse -Production
Josh and Katie Swift – Youth Alive Band
Bec Madden – Catering
Nell Cook – Hosting and Ushering
Omar Venegas – Security
Grant Medwin – Set up and Pack Up
Grace Watson – Stalls
Molly Appleton – AV
These CHAMPIONS came from a wide range of churches where they are are all already engaged at high levels. There are dozens of people who worked back stage, side stage, on stage, in schools and in the months leading up that will never be properly acknowledged or thanked – to each and everyone of you – THANKYOU.
To the Church (especially Youth Pastors of Tasmania) – thank you for believing in us, and now…. over to you to follow up on these new lives! We have sent out all the info we have on each student. We did miss some so please speak with your own youth, kids and parents and talk to them about their friends who may have made responses. Our mission is to present Jesus – enable them to receive Jesus, and the feed them back to the local church – from our perspective – mission accomplished – we are now praying for you.
To the business men and women and local church who have supported Youth Alive not just in 2011 but over many many years – your money has produced great fruit. Over 800 souls in 3 years – all who have had a great/strong gospel preached, been presented with both the tools and relationships to follow through with. 800 souls is a lot of ripples in this State and even if we don’t see direct results today, tomorrow, next month – we know that seed has been planted – that they have called upon His Glorious name and (like so many of us) this will bear fruit in their families, businesses and communities for years and generations to come – even if its not instantaneous.
It is now Matt’s time to pass the baton on. Youth Alive takes about 15-20 weeks of his year and that is lot of time away from his own family and church. To his amazing wife Karen and beautiful kids, to the magnificent Elders, Board and Congregation at Abundant Life Church – thank you for your support, kindness and love over the last 3 years, and releasing him to us for this time. He has been exactly what this State needed in a Director, and we are truly grateful for every sacrifice made.
We look forward to 2012 and continuing to champion our Youth Pastors and the amazing teenagers of Tassie. We have only just begun, so watch this space! Youth Alive will be coming at you in 2012- stay posted!
WE WILL SUCEED IN THE RESCUE
Sincerely,
The Youth Alive Tas Team
Twitter: @youthalivetas