Church on Campus Recap!
As the week neared its end, youth from all across Ottawa joined together for a new beginning. On the weekend of February 10th, the Lighthouse ACF and the Eastern Ontario Regional Youth Association, with the support of Adventist Youth Ontario, put their efforts together to present the first Eastern Ontario Youth Rally in several years, held at the University of Ottawa.
The theme for the weekend was Selfless: United We Stand, encouraging young people to join together in faith and be a light to the world around them. To begin the powerful weekend, the youth met on Friday night for a devotional with Pastor Paul Smith, who inspired them to not only be different but to make a difference for themselves and for those around them. Appealing to the youth who were currently in post-secondary education, and therefore starting a new chapter in their lives, Pastor Smith challenged the youth to accept their religion for themselves and to be “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) to protect, preserve and produce. With these goals in mind, the youth entered the Sabbath ready for more blessings to come.
On Sabbath morning an auditorium filled with youth and young adults, ready to learn and be inspired. After an uplifting praise and worship, Pastor Smith again preached to the young people about the power of change. He reached out to the young people, encouraging them to understand that no matter how dark or difficult their situation may be, that Jesus will meet them where they are and that all they must do is change their perspective and let Christ change them. Nearing the end of his sermon, Pastor Smith made an altar call, encouraging those in the crowd wanting to let God take charge in their lives to let go of their past. As many youth joined together on stage, the spirit of unity was ever present. The service ended with a powerful prayer leaving all those present with renewed spirits and encouragement for the upcoming week.
Later that afternoon, the leadership team of the Eastern Ontario Regional Youth Association lead a program to help the young people acknowledge the challenges they may face while teaching them about how to take proactive steps towards changing and improving their futures. Fortunately, the fellowship was not destined to end at this weekend as the youth leaders from many of the churches met and discussed the plans of upcoming events for this New Year.
As the weekend drew to a close, new relationships were formed and goals were made for the weeks and months to come. Youth from many different churches who would not have had the chance to meet under normal circumstances, were able to join together and be uplifted. This weekend showed to all those around, the importance of youth fellowship and the power of being united. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” - Psalm 133:1
