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Ignited At Youth Congress
By Tres Swygert
August 22, 2005
A friend invited me to go with him and his
friends to the
North American Youth Congress in Ohio this year. I was not sure if my job
would let me, but my boss allowed me to go. So off I went.
A lot of people who went to Youth Congress
in the past told me that this would be an awesome experience for me. To be
honest, I have heard that before.
Background History
Before this event I was a young person who wavered between a relationship with
God and with the world. There were times I felt the fire, and I wanted to
praise God. Other times I wanted to forget God, and go on with my business.
While I tried to forget Him, He did not forget me. He would place people in my
life to remind me of my purpose and call in my life. It was a big headache for
me to constantly hear those words of my calling. Some events would stir energy
inside me, but the fire would die out after a few months.
Crazy Crew From Charleston, SC
I heard that we were to ride with a youth group from Charleston, South
Carolina. I had met them before, and they really know how to praise and worship
God. As we traveled up to Columbus, all they talked about was the Bible,
doctrine, and worldly things that required biblical attention. I was shocked
and impressed with their desire to get to know God and see others do the same.
They would sing Gospel songs, quote scriptures, and everything else. I felt
like I was out of my league. I could say that I have not seen a youth group
quite like this.
The First Service—Wednesday
When we finally got to the first service on
Wednesday night, I felt the energy of the Spirit in the stadium. I saw all
these people pour in the service from all directions. As soon as the music
started playing, young people were praising God in dance and everything else.
Before I realized it, I started singing and dancing without a care as well.
When we got back to the hotel, my voice was almost gone! However, I could not
escape the feeling of that Holy Ghost fire in the preaching of the Word and in
the young people who were praying for me that night.
Sessions and Second Service—Thursday
I was ready for the day sessions as I waited for the others to get ready. My
soul was hungry for the Word with anticipation to get fed. The daily sessions
were awesome, as well as the split sessions for the different categories. I was
taking notes like crazy. At the night service, a report was given that someone
got the Holy Ghost in the restroom of the hotel used for day sessions. In the
restroom! And who said that the church is the only place to receive the Holy
Ghost? Joel prophesied that “[God] will pour out [His] spirit upon all flesh
. . .” (Joel 2:28). For the Word preached Thursday night, you needed more
than a camera that took pictures. You needed a video camera because it was
unreal! Young people flooded to the floor to hear the Word of that Apostolic
Dew, preached by
Bro. Mark Johnston. It was anointed and a blessing!
Sessions and Third Service—Friday
My throat had not recovered from the first two nights, but it was strong enough
to praise God. Thank You Jesus! We went to the day sessions, and I was truly
blessed by the Word preached at the last general session. “Eat your Burrito in
the Lunchroom” was the title of the day message as Bro. Richard Strawcutter
encouraged and challenged the young people that they could end up in prestigious
places if they would do the best they can in school and college. He also
encouraged them not to be intimated by fear.
Friday night was the closure of the
conference, but it was definitely the start of everyone’s walk closer to
Christ. The UPCI’s General Youth President
Bro. Todd Gaddy preached on “Decisions On The Day After.” He challenged
everyone to keep up the faith and witnessing after Congress. That night during
prayer, God met me at the altar. Someone prayed for me, and through the words
of the Holy Ghost, I was encouraged to prayer harder than ever before. I never
experienced anything like this! I was overtaken by the Holy Ghost, and I could
not move for several minutes. It took me a long while before I could get up and
stand on my own two feet. It was a powerful setting, and a wonderful way to end
the conference. The young people wanted to continue to praise God by clapping
their hands and shouting. It was unreal!
Back To the Crew From Charleston
During the entire conference, the youth group from Charleston desired to hear
God and what He wanted to say. Their focus was to receive that Word, and apply
it to their lives. There were times where one of the girls would just pray
spontaneously. We would respectfully wait on her and other girls who prayed
before we left the stadium after day sessions. She was sensitive to the Holy
Ghost, and I was inspired by her will to please God.
Several of the guys would go pray for others
when it was time to pray. They would pray for the younger guys, and they would
find another person to pray for. They would speak scripture that was touching
their hearts at the time being, and challenge others to seek God. They would
also remind others their purpose at Congress. I remembering talking to one
young brother, and he was really encouraged in the Holy Ghost to witness in his
school. I must say again that I have not seen a youth group quite like this.
Was It Just A Memory?
It was good to go to Youth Congress to encourage you to stay in the race for
God. It was also good to see that many young people (over 12,000) be on fire
for God, and also know the truth. After the conference, I meditated on the
previous events. The question came into my heart—Just a memory? Was all this
something to enjoy, and then go back to the reality of worldly lusts? Would it
just be something to say it was good, and nothing more? It stayed in my mind
since that ride coming back. If it is a memory, then I can say is that it never
happened. It was a dream, or a fantasy. I cannot count my salvation, or that
experience, a memory. This Youth Congress opened my eyes to see that there are
young people like me who are on fire for God. Not only that, but they desire to
see other people feel the same way.
I regained fire, Holy Ghost fire. As Paul
wrote, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things
above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). This scripture encouraged me to look to
God to keep this fire going.
My friend who invited has asked me to walk
out my calling – to preach. Now that the fire has been ignited, I believe God
will speak to me of what to do next. I thank God for His mercy and His plan.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2005, Tres Swygert
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Tres Swygert is
a college student who is about finish his bachelor’s degree in Information
Technology in the summer of 2006. The trials and tribulations of his life have
inspired him to write poems. He still wonders why God wants him to speak.
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