Page 8 - Contact Autumn 2017

So many words, thoughts, feelings and more Steven shared some great practical tips on how
come to mind as we refl ect on the jam-packed we can pray with passion for our friends who
week that was SMMR FEST 17 from Monday haven’t yet encountered Jesus; share our
14 - Friday 18th August. stories and His story with them and be
young people of real purpose who carry the
SMMR FEST was the dream, the vision and the Kingdom and Christ’s authority; giving
prayer of a bunch of church youth workers in everyone the chance to put it into practice
Ballymena, SU, Exodus and The Big House - sometimes in the room with one another,
Ireland. They each had, and still have, the sometimes in encouraging young people to
longing to see young people come to a place make a move and contact their friends. For
large on laughter; high in energy; splashed in so many young people, these sessions were a
colour; abounding in community and full of massive highlight of their week and so helpful
brand new friendships, as they come together for where they are at, as they long to live for
from their various churches and communities Jesus in the here and now.
in around Ballymena to have fun, encounter
Jesus and be excited and equipped to live for Every evening started with some huge group
Him every day of their lives. banter; the Monkey being the fi rm crowd
favourite throughout the week, as over 100
Every afternoon and evening young people young people gathered in the sanctuary
descended upon High Kirk, excited to see what to encounter Jesus. Worship was led so
was in store and invited to journey and go beautifully, intimately and energetically by
deeper with their Heavenly Father who knows Jonny McClelland and his band, as we
them, loves them, longs to transform them, worshipped the Father in freedom as His
gives them a purpose and goes with them as He children. Each night we got to hear from
uses them for His glory in this, His world. some great speakers - Andrew and Katherine
Dickson, Andy Lamberton, Tash Creaney and
During the afternoons, punctuating the huge Peter McClelland, sharing on encountering the
fun that was had on infl atables, in drum circles, One who is Jesus; the One who knows us, loves
doing Zumba, playing sports, chilling out, and transforms us, gives us purpose and goes
battling on the GodModex bus & much more with us into the adventure and calling He
we were thrilled to have Steven Lamont all the created us for, long ago. So beautiful to see
way from South Africa delivering 5 sessions on young people responding, giving their yes to
Go. Live. Dare. - stepping out into our calling as Jesus and remaining in the sanctuary long after
disciples of Jesus. our time of worship had fi nished. There is a
hunger and thirst within this generation for
more of the Father - and the more they have
of Him, the more they want.