Bluefield College is partnering with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board again to offer Virginia’s youth an encounter with Christ through a series of fall Youth Encounter (YEC) worship and adventure events across the Commonwealth.
Designed to give pre-Christian youth an opportunity to hear the gospel and challenge current Christian youth to live out their faith more dangerously, the fall YEC events will take place in Waterview, VA, on September 19; Chesterfield, VA, on September 25; Danville, VA, on October 24; and Norfolk, VA, on November 12-13.
The Waterview Youth Encounter will take place at Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on September 19. The theme for the Waterview event is “Whatever It Takes,” based on the scripture story from Mark that describes the “can do” attitude of four friends, who did whatever it took to get their paralytic friend to Jesus to be healed.
Randy Cooksey, associate pastor of Mathews (VA) Baptist Church, will serve as guest speaker and will challenge students to consider whatever it takes to follow Jesus. Bluefield’s Skyline Drive will serve as worship leader. Often described as “passionate,” “emotional,” and “driven,” Skyline Drive will offer an innovative and energetic worship experience.
The Chesterfield Youth Encounter will take place at the Southside Church of the Nazarene from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 25. The theme for the Metro Richmond YEC is “Epic,” based on the scripture of John 10:10. Activities in Chesterfield will include paintball, skateboarding, inflatable games, and Wii on the big screen.
In addition to a tattoo artist and a caricature artist, the Chesterfield YEC will feature motivational speaker Craig Tackett, a passionate Christian who not only understands the needs of teenagers today, but also has an unusual ability to bring the Bible to life in a way that students can understand and put into practice.
Joining Tackett to lead worship for the September 25 event will be The Jonathan Project, a talented group of worship leaders who love to have a good time and display the friendly character of Christ to students through worship music.
The Danville Youth Encounter will take place inside Pritchett Auditorium on the campus of Averett University from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 24. The theme for the Danville YEC is “What’s Your Status?” taken from the book of Revelation. Mirroring the social networking craze that often asks, “What’s your status?” or “What’s on your mind?” the Danville YEC will challenge listeners to ask, “What’s my spiritual status?”
Craig Tackett and The Jonathan Project will serve as special guests for the Danville event, as well.
Details, including location, theme, guest speaker and worship leader, for the Norfolk Youth Encounter on November 12-13 have yet to be determined. For more information about this or other Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Bluefield College YEC events, visit www.yec.org, or e-mail [email protected].