YOUTHS 'ROCK THE PLANET' DURING DISCIPLE NOW

Some 190 participants from sixth grade through college age took part in Jackson First Baptist Church's annual Disciple Now weekend Feb. 19-21.

Eighteen church families opened their homes to groups of about 10 students apiece, as well as a group leader. The theme of the weekend was "rock the planet," based on Psalms 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." (NIV)

"It was just so awesome," said junior Andrea Penland, who stayed with Albert and Kathy Lee. "God just showed things to me that I need to continually pray about. I need to pray for things that I want Him to change in my life and that I want to happen and I need to be patient in my life."

"I got a lot of my questions answered about God and I grew a lot closer to the girls I stayed with and our leader," said freshman Kassi Lynn, who stayed at the home of Tom and April Rhodes. "We all have a special bond now. It was really great."

She also had praise for her group leader, Southeast Missouri State University Baptist Student Union member Kyle Griffith. "Kyle was awesome," she said.

Griffith was one of several BSU students from the university who helped lead the Sunday morning worship service, as well as leading several of the groups.

"God showed up," Griffith said. "It was incredible. We saw a lot of people's lives get changed. People really got focused on the most important thing in life, which is the relationship with Jesus Christ. It was awesome."

Several youth accepted Christ during the weekend and many rededicated their lives to God. Patrick Tankersley, Disciple Now coordinator and First Baptist youth director, expressed pleasure with the weekend.

"There was a real spirit of cooperation among the youth workers in our church and a spirit of enthusiasm about God among our youth," he said. "There was also excitement among the older adults over what the youth were doing."

The weekend began for the participants at 6 p.m. Friday, when they showed up at the host families' homes. Session I, an introductory session, and Session II, "Rock my Spiritual World," took part Friday night, followed by a "worship explosion" session at the church and Lipsynched rock and roll skits.

Saturday Sessions II through V were "Rock my Friendships," "Rock my Family" and "Rock my Life." Group activity time Saturday included bowling and a Bible Bowl tournament. Jake Smith provided music Friday night and Saturday.

Sunday morning the Disciple Now participants held a rally in the sanctuary during Sunday School hour (9;15 a.m.). The focus of the 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m church services also revolved around the Disciple Now weekend. Group leader Kurt Ervin gave the message Sunday morning, focusing on Christ taking the sin of taking upon Himself on the cross.

He and the other leaders urged the participants not to let the spirit of the weekend die "when you get home and your mom asks you to take out the trash."

"I found out who God really was in my heart and I found some new friends," said seventh grader Paul Anderson. "I loved it; it was great. I don't think anybody wouldn't want to be in a Disciple Now."

Host families were Brian and Diane Anderson, Dave and Kristi Black, Jim and Novena Bollinger, Jim and Brenda Bono, Tim and Debbie Hendershott; Lanny and Elaine Lannom; Albert and Kelly Lee; John and Barbara Lewis; Ken and Pam Lucy; Sam and Linda McVay; Chuck and Joyce Penland, Tom and April Rhodes; Don and Julie Sappington; Roger and Pat Schwab; Doug and Tammy Simminger; Rick and Pam Sparks; Patrick and Tammy Tankersley; and Greg and Becky Terry.

Tankersley indicated that a one-night follow-up "Disciple Now II" may be planned to capitalize on the spiritual commitments made by the youth, some time before the school year concludes.