Youth Conference 28 June to 5 July 2016
Youth Conference – 28 June to 5 July. “Ngizobuyela kubaba”, “I will return to my father” – Luke 15:18
Even though the services officially ended on Monday night there are still so many that services will continue. Transport takes at least 3 days to get the roughly 7000 children back home. Pray for their safety.
Monday evening: Rev Erlo Stegen concluded his sermons for the Youth Conference by looking at the importance of returning the Father with your whole heart and receive more than you imagined – God’s ring and a radiant robe of righteousness. He also announced the next Youth Conference to be from 9 to 16 December 2016.
Monday afternoon: The sermon was on how the Prodigal never knew where he would end up when he deserted his father.
Sunday evening and Monday morning: Dr P Hammond with slides regarding missionary history in Africa and an update on Islam.
Sunday afternoon: Testimonies of young men from Concerned Community. These young men have come out of the deep mire of drugs and other problems.
Sunday morning: Rev Stegen preached on the theme. Extra chairs had to be brought in for the overflow crowds. (see excerpt of message here)
Saturday evening: A skit about losing one’s purity and how it is found at the Cross. After that a message by Ruth Combrink. (See skit here.)
Saturday morning and afternoon: Doctors for Life on various issues pertaining to young people.
Friday 7pm: Rev Erlo Stegen read from Rom 12:1> where he addressed the youth about purity.
Friday: All day sports.
Thursday evening: Dorothy Newlands spoke about being lost and used various PowerPoint illustrations of what it means to be lost and to be found. She used touching stories of young people who had strayed into the world and the devastating consequences that followed. (photos below show standing room only)
Thursday afternoon: Ntokozo Nhlabathi preached from Heb 12:14&15 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. He said how he had been a great imitator of his grandfather bishop but it did not save him from sin. You need Jesus Himself; a relationship with Him to make you a true Christian.
Thursday morning: (program change) Rev Erlo Stegen preached from Prov 30:18 & 19. He spent time addressing the youth about the dangers of sexual promiscuity.
Wednesday evening: H Stegen preached about the Prodigal and the blessing of being about to “come to his senses” when he was starving. He pointed out that the older brother is typical of the self-righteous christian who is critical of God. (Click here for a 5 minute video snippet)
Wednesday afternoon: Dorothy Newlands spoke about Rebellion and Peer-Pressure – how friends incite one another into all manner of sins. If the prodigal must say “I will return” what took him away from the place that he had to return to? Rebellion. She used a PowerPoint to illustrate.
Wednesday morning: M. Ngubane spoke about modern-day Prodigals. He referred to 2Cor 5:18-21 emphasizing that God has done everything we need to be reconciled through the work of our Lord Jesus on the Cross. (see short video excerpt here)
Tuesday evening: K. Olsen spoke about things that take us away from the Father, in particular the deception of Evolution. He showed a PowerPoint comparing the lives of Charles Templeton and Billy Graham.
Tuesday afternoon: Rev Joe Newlands spoke from John 3:3 about being born again as well as coming to the Lord who invites us in Matt 11:28 “Come unto me,…”. (See video excerpt here)
Tuesday morning: Conference begins! Large crowds have arrived already and many more are expected through today and tonight. Alpheus Mdlalose took this morning’s service. He preached about taking the opportunity to come back to God. His text was Mar 10:47: “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He also spoke about Rahab. (See excerpt here.)
Previously: Our mid-year Youth Conference is due to begin on 28 June and will end 5 July, Lord willing. The theme and other information will be found on this website in due time. Please excuse us having changed the date twice but we try to harmonize the school holidays of various provinces with our dates.
