A Month in the Life

I'm off to District planning meetings today. 8 hours of blissful discussion on the future plans of the North Carolina District Youth Department! I know, I am being a little facetious... actually it is pretty exciting.

There is so much we can do to generate excitement in the young people's lives.

I have to say, North Carolina does have some of the best youth events I've seen. NC Youth Camp is always amazing and there is always a good assortment of local and regional events to really help local student ministries meet the needs of their students.

I really believe in keeping things fresh! I mean I'm no "change-addict" (you know the kind of person that just wants change just for the sake of change) but I think that a regular refreshing of programs and ideas is always smart.

I ask myself quite often, actually, "What can we do to make things better, to make them new and exciting?" I can't stand just maintaining the "status-quo". I think Church should be exciting!
Hopefully we can put together a list of events and programs that really challenge the status-quo and create an atmosphere of change and excitement in student ministries across North Carolina.

The days of just another year, just another camp, just another event are long gone. Look at NAYC, General Conference and other innovative meetings. The bar has been raised repeatedly.

I hope we keep pushing it higher!

Dan Ponjican
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

Labels: church, dan ponjican, District, higher, NAYC, planning

So did Project 22:39 actually make a spiritual impact on Charlotte, NC, or was it just some good works that went unnoticed, energy that could've been spent handing out tracts? Charlotte answered that question for us with a "We love the Pentecostals!"

This picture, and many, many more have been posted here in a brand-new portfolio, by NAYC official photog Adam Breckenridge. There are some beauties to behold!

Labels: NAYC, P22:39, Youth Congress

So while I was snapping platform shots with our little digital, there was another guy toting around a serious camera with a long lens. Must be the official Congress cameraman, thought I. And away I went to blog.

Then, this week I saw his pictures. Gulp! I just had to contact him and ask a few questions. He graciously replied, as well as giving us permission to run a few of his shots. Just go to his home site (click on the Youth Congress link) and prepared to be wowed!

This interview took place on August 23, 2007.
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90&9: So how did you get to become the official photographer of Youth Congress 2007?
AB: Actually, it was really just a matter of who I knew! I’m friends with Todd Gaddy and Wayne Francis, they knew I was a photographer, so they asked. I’ve been on two Apostolic Youth Corps trips, and they’ve seen my shots from those trips as well.

90&9: What’s the most challenging part of this job?
AB: I think the most challenging part of shooting Youth Congress was dodging worshipping Pentecostals to get a good shot! There was more than one time I had to hold on to my camera for dear life, as I was overwhelmed by the crowd. Hazards of the job I suppose :)

90&9: What’s the best part of this job?
AB: I think it was definitely the full access VIP status. I got to see Youth Congress from a production level, and I was shocked at how detailed and professional they really are. Hanging out in the VIP lounge was pretty cool too!

90&9: Is there one shot (or a set of shots) you’re most proud of?
AB: I’m going to pat myself on the back and say I’m proud of most of the shots I was able to catch. I feel like I caught the spirit of each session and service, and I thought you could really get a sense of what was going on through pictures. I’m proud of that because my favorite aspect of photography is telling a story through pictures, and I feel like I accomplished that.

90&9: Do you even get a moment to enjoy the services?
AB: Bro. Gaddy did a good job of giving me a schedule that wasn’t hectic; however, being ADHD and unable to sit down when I have a camera in my hand, I was moving constantly. I was able to get the gist of each session, but I wasn’t able to totally get in the flow of things—which is unfortunate but part of the gig I suppose!

90&9: What was your personal favorite moment of NAYC 2007?
AB: Wow. There were so many great moments it’s hard to pick. However, I have to pick two. One, when Bro. Gaddy asked everyone to take a knee and give a moment of silence. That silence was spiritually earth-shattering. Awesome! Second, seeing the look on the kids face when he won the Nintendo Wii, priceless!

90&9: Tell us a bit about your photography background.
AB: There’s not much to tell. I took a trip to the Grand Canyon about six or seven years ago with a small film camera I had just bought, and after taking about 25 rolls of film worth of pictures, I got hooked. From there, I pretty much taught myself by reading books and just practicing. There’s no other way to learn photography except by much practice!

90&9: The key to great photography is...?
AB: Taking pictures of things you enjoy. I always tell people that to me, photography is simply your view of the world. You can make it appear however you want to, from any angle. Everybody sees the world through a different perspective, photography is one way to show that!

ninetyandnine.com

All pictures © 2007, Adam Breckenridge

Interview © 2007, ninetyandnine.com

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Labels: NAYC, Pictures, Youth Congress

We’re still awaiting the final number of paying registrants at North American Youth Congress 2007, but …

We did hear of some unsettling stories of adults screaming out the registration staff because they dared (per GYD policy) to charge people for replacement badges. (It seems these adults forget their badges in their hotel rooms.)

In one case, rather than pay $5, one man insisted he’d raised an immense amount of money for SFC (something like $100,000) and how heartless this policy was and he wanted to talk to Todd Gaddy. In another, a youth leaders yelled at the registration person in front of his youth group.

*Sigh* ninetyandnine.com prefers to report the good news (continued reports of many, perhaps scores, of people receiving the Holy Ghost at NAYC), but must also report those low moments when they come our way. Keeps us all humble.

And, just for the record, every convention we have attended charges for replacement badges. It’s not some insidious way GYD has invented to persecute us all.

P.S. This picture is unrelated, but somehow we never posted it. These are the Apostolic Idol candidates waiting and waiting and waiting in the VIP area to find out who the final candidates are to win the PMA contest.

Labels: NAYC, Registration, Youth Congress

Seems an unsaved girl named Angel from Iowa was friends with a new convert from Burlington, NC (pastor: Kenny Godair). Her new convert friend found a nearby UPC church to attend, but she’s the only one in her family there. Both came to Youth Congress (separately). Wednesday night she transferred from the “Unsaved” team to the “Saved” team by receiving the Holy Ghost!

Friday night she was visiting the Burlington youth group at the Center City Marriott in Charlotte. At some point they decided she needed to be baptized in the pool of our hotel on Friday night. They asked for permission from the staff. Reports Susan George of the Marriott staff, “They were very nice and allowed us all to use the pool - they even stayed and watched!”

That’s Rev. Michael George of Burlington, NC baptizing her in the pool around midnight Friday. That’s Angel speaking in tongues again. It’s another great Youth Congress moment.

Epilogue
“While she was soaking wet, crying, and still quietly speaking in tongues, she and others from our group got stuck on the elevator!” says Susan. “There was one (non-Apostolic) family in there that did not know what to think of us all. Happily, after only about 10 minutes of sheer discomfort, we were free!"

Labels: baptism, NAYC, Youth Congress

Media Missions will be glad to help! Order DVDs or CDs here.

Labels: CDs, DVDs, Media Missions, NAYC, Youth Congress

While most of us remain on the post-Congress high, it's almost sacrilege to mention another event, but ninetyandnine.com is co-sponsoring The Forum on October 19-20, 2007 in St. Louis.

If you're seeking something more intimate, but just as meaty and practical, then this is what you're seeking. Check it out won't you?

Labels: Forum, IQF, NAYC, Youth Congress

Brave reader RK of Ohio hassled me for 2 days to take pictures of the latest hairdos, but you know... I'm just not sure I'm qualified to know the great from the rat's nests.


Finally, brave reader RK of Ohio braved the wilds of Youth Congress 2007 herself, and came back alive with this photographic evidence!



P.S. Thanks for the great headline, too!

Labels: Hairdos, NAYC, Youth Congress

You DO know about the Ultimate Youth Congress cover stories currently running in the latest issue of ninetyandnine.com don't you?

You dare not miss our biggest issue ever, with video and short story contests, Free downloads offered, and the latest on AYC trips, among many, many other things.

Visit for a moment, stay for a lifetime.

Labels: NAYC, ninetyandnine, Youth Congress

Thanks to the talented group at Apostolic Entertainment Ministries, GYD highlighted some spectacular Infomercials for their programs. Watch all of the cool videos on the AEM Channel,
but watch the NAYC videos here.

The NAYC Videos (in order): 1. You. Go. Spy Thriller; 2. To Be Continued Bible Study; 3. Reality SFC (performed by James Simms); 4. To Be Continued - The Race (NAYC Opening); 5. INSIDEOUT Magazine Promo.

Labels: AEM, NAYC, Videos, Youth Congress

Talk about the righteous going unforsaken! After a long week of sleepless nights (mostly due to blogging), fellow blogger Rick Brewer and I stepped out to our Concierge Unlimited ride to find ...a stretch limo awaiting us! And the cost was no different!

Suddenly, it was all worth it.

Labels: Limo, NAYC, Youth Congress

Exhausted isn't even the word for the Day after Youth Congress. I'm told the airport is a disaster (probably overloaded w/Aps).

The Congress honored Bro. & Sis. Gaddy for their 4 years of leadership. The crowd reaction was...well, astonishing. The clapping never seeemed to end. Then, when he started to say something in response, someone yelled, "We love you Bro. Gaddy!" and shrieking began as well as clapping.

If this is the true national indicator then I can unequivocably state that there are few men in our organization as well loved as he. There are those who are more popular and those who are more respected, but none more well-loved.




Bro. Gaddy's message last night was one of rigorous minimalism that was, by far, the shortest evening preaching of the week. I've got to get to the airport, but here are some pix (& I might even have some video on Sunday).

Labels: Gaddy, NAYC, Youth Congress

As Rick mentioned, this "This Jonathan Dean guy" has led a UPC Supergroup into higher realms of praise and musicianship than anyone is used to. This is the new standard everyone else will be measured up against.

Labels: Jonathan Dean, NAYC, Youth Congress

The Line to Get in at 5:30 p.m. (as Gateway bravely sang in the GodsLounge.com tent despite the heat, which wasn't as oppressive as the last 2 days, but that's not saying much...)

For some reason, they let everyone in about 10 minutes later than the previous 2 nights. That created...

Labels: NAYC, Youth Congress

People literally ran, raced, sped to get the first few front rows tonight. These pictures are not enhanced in any way, but give you some sense on how fast everyone was running, heels or no heels.

By 6 p.m. most of the bottom tiers were full, forcing everyone into the nosebleeds 90 mins before service.
Friday looked a bit fuller than Thursday, w/few seats available in the nosebleeds. The configuration is for about 19,000 people, but no one sat in the 2 Suite Levels, which I guesstimated at 1500 people (roughly 52 suites of 20 seats, + partial rows). That still puts tonight's attendance in the stadium above 17,000.

Is that the largest gathering of Oneness Apostolics in North America ever?

Labels: attendance, NAYC, Youth Congress

There was a palpable buzz on the floor after "Jump Start" and before the "Frontrunner Focus" segment. Frontrunner was simply a focus on Apostolic Youth making a difference in unusual or creative ways by following God's calling on their lives.


The big surprise was Kathleen Herles, the voice of Nick cartoon character "Dora the Explorer." The arena erupted when she was announced, and as soon as the session was over, she was mobbed by well-wishers wanting an autograph or picture together. Happily, brave Donnie Willis whisked her to safety, then to the side stage for a short interview with moi, then back to safety. It was a bit mad, frankly.


Kathleen voices 3-4 hours a time, often by herself (without other cast members in session), though now she does a lot of Dora products as the episodes are on hiatus. She' sweet, grounded (the family prays before each acting/voice tryout to ensure it being God's will), and passionate about serving God and her cool youth group in Long Island. (In fact, as soon as her interview with Bro. Gaddy ended, she sped past her VIP seating to sit with her youth group buddies about 7-9 rows back.)


She came to NAYC to enjoy it as just another high school senior, though I doubt she did after the interview. Too many recognized her. (One Mom came up to me, desperate to find Kathleen because her little girl had Dora flip flops on and wanted to get them autographed.) The press around the side stage was a little mad as well, keeping a tense Donnie Willis (to the far right of our picture) on stage just in case.

Labels: Dora, Kathleen Herles, NAYC, Youth Congress

As detailed by Lyn and Eric,
here are some pix of the Viana (sp?), IL church enacting their SFC song (to the tune of the Village People's YMCA - honest!).


Trever Delano, a Texas high school senior, then shared his testimony on making a difference despite physical difficulties. I later interviewed him on the stage. ninetyandnine.com plans on publishing a full interview with him soon. An inspiring story!

Labels: Frontrunners, NAYC, Youth Congress

So a superb Stepping Team from Tampa opened the "Jump Start" session today. They had some great chants and steps. Plus, they're sponsoring a Skate Night in Tampa during General Conference! Visit their web site!


Overheard, as a youth & female youth leader passed a screen in the hallway.
Youth: "Look! That's called stepping."
Youth Leader: "No. That's not stepping, that's dancing."

Labels: NAYC, Stepping, Youth Congress

1) I kept getting harassed by females here to take pictures of hairdos. There. Now leave me alone.











2) A group from southern Maryland getting ready to board their van for their Project 22:39 assignment.

3) Two workers at the GYD booth Friday morning;

4) Gateway featured live music at their booth - an original, clever way to maintain attention (while completely alienating your neighboring booths).

Labels: NAYC, Youth Congress

Since most of the others reported the facts of the events, I'll provide the photographic evidence.


One addition to the Congress was an interview stage for everyone's favorite zine editor to interview the many NAYC speakers, mainly before the evening sessions. (That changed radically on Friday morning...)

Here, I had a long dialogue with the UPCI's General Youth President Todd Gaddy about his final Youth Congress (as President), his new mission to begin a HM church in Maryland, the
Frontrunner Focus on Friday, and Project 22:39.

Many thanks to Sarah Holland for the pix.

Labels: Gaddy, NAYC, Youth Congress

Labels: Hat, NAYC

* An amazing ending to Brent Keating’s message, w/T.F. Tenney, then Bruce Howell praying and prophesying over the assorted – dare I say it? – 17,000+ attendees. The crowd surge was obvious at 6 p.m., w/the main entrance being curtained shortly afterwards. A youth pastor said he had to get his kids in at 5 p.m. to sit in front.

* Expect an article on NAYC & Project 22:39 in Saturday’s Charlotte Observer, as a reporter interviewed Todd Gaddy, then roamed about taking pictures. She’ll also be covering the over 1,500 young people participating in Project 22:39.

* We’ve got so many pix, we’re going to set up a Flickr Set for anyone interested in seeing everything. Last year we had 1 major photographer, while this year we have 3, two of whom make art their careers.

* The people and arena workers were uniformly nice. The restaurants of Charlotte were obviously unprepared for the deluge of youth. Of course the urban center is bereft of eating establishments, as most cities are, but I was told the suburbs were uncooperative, even purposely shutting their places down early (at exactly 11:46 p.m. was what one Chili’s did rather than serve our Pentecostals). One Youth Leader told me he had to go to a Wal-Mart to get his kids food last night.

* Anybody want a domain named TheSearchForHope? Send an email to editor @ninetyandnine.com for details! An old Quiz buddy wants to dump it.

* After just one day, my nerve fibers are so frazzled I’m now indifferent to almost any possible occurrence. Yesterday I couldn’t stop taking pictures of everything. Today someone could set their hair on fire & I’d shrug. Judging by the numerous zombies stalking the hallways this evening, so would most people.

* Tease #1: Big interview scoop for NAYC & then 90&9. More on that later.

* Tease #2: If you missed the special features during services, we might be providing you a way to enjoy them from home come Saturday…

Pictures include: 1) A skirt made from ties; 2) Strollers were not allowed into the stadium on the 2nd night, so piled together; 3) Guys trumped the ladies w/interesting outfits tonight.

Labels: NAYC

The Baskin Robbins-Dunkin Donuts combo in the Bobcat Arena offers this jewel for breakfast.


Someone please tell me - what is "with Meat." Is it ham? Sausage? Bacon? Cat? No, it's meat. Just trust us on this one.

Labels: Dunkin Donuts, NAYC

No, Kent, Sam, and Sarah are not egomaniacs, but Josh wasn't able to make the first pictures, so we pretended to like him for making us retake the picture!

Kent, Sarah, Rachael, Lyn, Laura, Eric, Sam, Rick & the 2 Super Cool 90&9 T-shirts we'll be sporting on Friday!

Labels: NAYC, T-shirts

* I love history, but not this kind. The Charlotte Observer said yesterday's 102 F was Charlotte's highest in 128 years. Sorry, just not interested in this.

* The Pentecostal Music Association has received hundreds of votes so far for the best Male Vocalist contestant from last night. Tonight it's the Lady's turns, while groups contend Friday night. Voting goes through Friday night at 7:30, w/the winner's being announced during the offering. The votes cost 99 cents via text message. Weirdly, teenagers are complaining they can't vote because they don't have cell phones. I had no idea there were Pentecostal teenagers without cells.

* Over 9,000 cash registrants. They're expecting a record total. Last night's crowd estimate is probably safer at 16,000 once the floor seats are taken into effect.

* Casual to dress clothes today. Not many worth shooting -though one brave Texas girl arrived carrying her dress shoes instead of pretending she'd be wearing them most of the day. (Below)* I snapped a picture of the world's longest lunch line at the Burger King right across the street from the arena.

Labels: NAYC

Jonathan Walker talked to the Senior High Split Session about identity and not wearing a mask to the world. He got his point across rather effectively?

Labels: Batman, Identity, NAYC

So my dear wife wasn’t able to make NAYC this year, but wanted me to take the usual female fashion shots she made famous during NAYC 2005. The problem is . . . well, ya know, I just don’t keep up with that stuff.

After getting clued in by a couple accommodating acquaintances - big colorful belts with matching shoes (and purses and headpieces . . .), I began finding fashion examples in the hallways outside the booth I’m manning and snapping their pix, often to the point of weaving through heavy crowds just to snap my subject.

Finally, a dear friend said, “Ya know Kent, it probably doesn’t look so good you chasing young girls around with a camera and snapping pictures of them.” Hmmm. Good point.

Happily, I referenced our zine and all were more than accommodating.

So, thanks to the lovely Apostolic ladies who agreed to share their exquisite fashion sense with the wider web world. They are from (in no particular order) Missouri, Kentucky, Arizona, Ohio, Oklahoma, and probably a state or 2 I can no longer remember.

Labels: Belts, Fashion, NAYC, Shoes

Labels: Fashion, NAYC

Labels: Fashion, NAYC, Suits

First Service Numbers
It was packed tonight. Two Bearcat Arena staff told me the stadium held just over 17,000 people. That wouldn’t include floor seating, so I don’t think it’d be a stretch to say we had 15,000 people in attendance tonight. (By my reckoning, I don’t think Friday night in Columbus broke 15,000 people in 2005.) Considering many wondered if attendance would be down this year, that’s a superb start.

True Story
The names in this story are anonymous because it might get a certain split session speaker in trouble with one of the big decision-makers who told him this about speaking in the main arena (paraphrased version): ‘The screens above the platform have no ads to distract the images, so everything is in Super High Definition. Everyone can see everything.’ Direct Quote: “Clip your nose hairs.”

Yep, it’s not the big spiritual questions our ministers discuss backstage, but specific nose grooming tips. Reassuring isn’t it?

b Event is nearly sold out.
They came in with about 240 tickets unsold, but – as of tonight – they have fewer than 60 left!

Labels: attendance, NAYC, nose

Okay, it's hot, humid (but not St Louis humid) & I got bad directions twice, so the walk to the Arena was...well, long.

This place looks like it's ready to explode and almost no one was there about 4 p.m. The entire flavor tastes different. I expect a different level of excitement this year.

Swag-of-the-Congress: James Simms' new CD 2War4Peace is out! I can unequivocally say there has never been an Apostolic CD this hip-hop/rock with contemporary lyrics like this. Expect a review on Monday!

Shock-of-Congress: Every (and I mean every) elevator in the Courtyard by Marriott on Tryon Street is Humid! How does that happen? One elevator I walked in felt like (& nearly smelled like) a gym. That is no exaggeration!

Off to interview speakers on a stage they set up for us outside the main entrance! Tres cool!

More later...

Labels: NAYC, Youth Congress