Thursday at Momentum was book-marked with speakers who challenged students, youth workers, and other guests to make Jesus first in their lives.
Derwin Gray, a pastor and former professional football player who is known as the “evangelism linebacker,” spoke from Galatians 2:11-21 about the transformative power of upward, inward, outward living.
“Gospel principles to empower us to make Jesus first,” he said.
“All of us worship something, even atheists,” he added. “Worship is where I find my identity, where do I find my purpose. For me, worship was football,” he noted as he shared how he found at relationship with Jesus Christ while he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
He stressed that one can find significance in Christ. “Peer pressure does not end in high school,” he said, stressing that God paid a price. “He gave the infinite treasure for me.”
“Don’t sell your birthright for trinkets,” he concluded. “Christ lives in you.”
Prior to the morning session, students had one of 18 Power Trax to choose from. Their topics included from Science Lessons from Scripture, The World of Islam, Spiritual Warfare and Spiritual Freedom, Evangelism, Christian Living, and Dealing with Death.
After lunch, students spread out of “Your Day, Your Way,” with options that included a sports tournament, Bible quizzing finals, and off campus ministry opportunities.
Over the dinner hour, girls and women who had been part of SMM, the girls’ ministry of Women of Grace, celebrated its 100th birthday with a program led by Nicole Miller, girls ministry coordinator. During the program, they introduced their new name: Sisters Mentoring with a Mission.
Post dinner options included a concert by Christian rapper, Andy Mineo; a movie, and a Knockout Tournament.
Mineo shared his story later in the main session, as Ed Lewis, executive director of CE National interviewed him.
Jim Brown, pastor of Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Goshen, Ind., spoke at the main session. Looking at Phillipians 2, he challenged the students to put others first.
He stressed that Jesus was the first example of “I am Second.”
“[He] reduced himself to an embryo,” Brown said. “He did it because he loves us.”
He challenged the students to think of others first. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Friday began with Power Trax sessions for students and labs for youth workers. Francis Chan, author and speaker, returns to the Momentum platform for the morning session. Sean McDowell will be the speaker in the main session this evening.
All main session speakers are being live-streamed over the Internet. Go to buildmomentum.org to access the stream.
Also today, CE National will mark the 75th anniversary of Momentum Youth Conference, which began in 1938 as a place for young people to be trained, challenged, and encouraged to grow in God’s word while their parents were at the national conference for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
See photos from Momentum at https://www.facebook.com/buildmomentum