By Lee Berger
LONGVIEW, Texas--Ten young people and two adults from the Longview and Lufkin churches attended an Acquire the Fire (ATF) teen convention in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 10 and 11.
The building was filled beyond capacity with more than 3,500 teens eager to learn more about their Father, their Savior and their Comforter and to commit or recommit their lives to following God.
The convention included altar calls, where the teens were encouraged to acknowledge their need for Jesus and affirm a commitment to following his way of life.
Several teens from our group responded during the weekend (along with a few hundred others). Many teens are facing tough personal issues and are having to make decisions now that will affect them the rest of their lives.
By helping them to be aware of God's love for them, and teaching them of the sacrifice of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit, ATF helps us provide powerful tools for our teens to use in their personal spiritual warfare.
Ron Luce, president of Teen Mania Ministries, the organization that presents the conventions, explained the purpose of ATF teen conventions: "God is doing something profound in the lives of young people in our generation.
"Young people ... are ready to make their mark on this world for God, and they are ready to go after God with everything they've got.... So many young people who have lived a life of radical worldliness are coming to a life of total commitment to the things of God. So many young people who used to be bored with God in the back row of churches, are now seeking God with all their hearts....
"Acquire the Fire presents the gospel in a way that is relatable to a young person who doesn't know the Lord as well as someone who has been in church for a long time."
The Dallas convention had solid teaching on the theme of character--understanding and believing God, building a relationship with him, taking personal responsibility, correcting faults and sins, and the commitment to make a personal difference at home, at school and in the world.
The teens were challenged to become world changers, and they were motivated to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.
Several of our teens said every teen should attend. Cheri Ray, who was leery about attending, called it a life-changing experience. Others said they would never look at things in life the way they had before.
For more information call Teen Mania at 1-800-329-3473 and ask for the registration packet.
Lee Berger is a local church elder in Longview, Texas.
Feb. 18, 1997, WN, page 9
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