RISK 2011: the commissioning

This week we catch up with Dan Paterson to hear about what the Youth got up to at RISK...

Last Friday night saw our second annual RISK rally, bringing together youth from all over Brisbane.

With 200+ youth and 50+ leaders we were in for an incredible night of fun as we engaged with each other, with the gospel, and best of all, with Christ.

ashgrove had been invaded by 12 other youth groups spanning from Caboolture to Salisbury, representing Baptists, Wesleyan Methodists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Uniting Crew.

One body. Many parts.

Framed around Christ's two comings and our commission, RISK was aimed at gathering teenage Christians together and waking them up to the big picture of Christ's mission and their commission. We had YA volunteers from our PM service gathering before the night pray earnestly - that God might raise up this next generation to fulfill the ultimate command many of us are happy to ignore.

Our hopes for the night were too small for His plans.

After the crowd gathered Darren Dakers played MC and had plenty of laughs, honouring the work of the youth pastors. Our youth band led worship and we heard from six of our year 12 seniors about their experiences in evangelism -  teenage ears were opening. My message was a wake-up call. And with God's power and grace always exceeding our expectations, we had a score of youth respond in repentance and faith to receive Christ, and many more wanting to be prayed for to be bold witnesses in their faith.

Munching on the incredible supper (thanks Valerie!) and chatting with all the youth pastors post-event, everyone went away hugely encouraged!
With more youth being added collectively to our number, we continue the two-fold task of outreach and discipling.

RISK means we put it all on the line. Does the gospel call us to anything less?

'For whoever wants to keep his life will lose it. But he who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will truly find it' (Luke 9:24). 'I send you out as sheep among wolves' (Matthew 10:16).