Change Conference: Our Youth are an Inspiration
By Heather Pennington
This past weekend, several Sequoia Youth attended the Ottawa Change Conference, joining young people from across the region for a weekend of worship, teaching, community, and encountering Jesus.
This year’s theme was BEHOLD, inspired by Psalm 27:4 and the invitation to fix our eyes on the beauty of the Lord. In a world full of distractions, competing voices, and pressures pulling us in every direction, we were challenged to put Jesus first and make space to truly see Him.
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord.” — Psalm 27:4
To behold is to look intently, to awaken to His presence, and to put Jesus first and foremost above all else.
Our team had the incredible experience of seeing what happens when we pause from the noise of regular life and come with an open heart to BEHOLD our Lord.
We had the great privilege of seeing:
Our youth are an inspiration in their faith in our living God. Seeing them pause for Him, meet with Him, be vulnerable and humble before Him, and receive Him in a fresh new way truly gives a visible example of what it means to have faith like a child.
Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in. “Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. — Mark 10:15 MSG
When did you last seek your Heavenly Father like a child? Hit pause on the noise and chaos of this life and rest in His presence? Trust Him like a child trusts their father to carry your burdens and provide for your needs? Humbly come to His feet, release your need for control, and experience the peace that passes all understanding when you BEHOLD His beauty and unmeasurable love for you.
He is knocking on the door and waiting for you to pause, open your heart, and BEHOLD His presence.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” — Revelation 3:20 NIRV
With joy, your sister,
Heather
This past weekend, several Sequoia Youth attended the Ottawa Change Conference, joining young people from across the region for a weekend of worship, teaching, community, and encountering Jesus.
This year’s theme was BEHOLD, inspired by Psalm 27:4 and the invitation to fix our eyes on the beauty of the Lord. In a world full of distractions, competing voices, and pressures pulling us in every direction, we were challenged to put Jesus first and make space to truly see Him.
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord.” — Psalm 27:4
To behold is to look intently, to awaken to His presence, and to put Jesus first and foremost above all else.
Our team had the incredible experience of seeing what happens when we pause from the noise of regular life and come with an open heart to BEHOLD our Lord.
We had the great privilege of seeing:
- 458 youth come forward and commit their lives to Jesus.
- 100s of youth worship their King with everything in them.
- 100s of youth prayed over by their friends and leaders.
- 100s of youth released from fear and baggage with tears streaming down their faces.
- Inspiring speakers encouraging and speaking truth over everyone.
- Deeper relationships with Christ & fellow Christians.
Our youth are an inspiration in their faith in our living God. Seeing them pause for Him, meet with Him, be vulnerable and humble before Him, and receive Him in a fresh new way truly gives a visible example of what it means to have faith like a child.
Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in. “Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. — Mark 10:15 MSG
When did you last seek your Heavenly Father like a child? Hit pause on the noise and chaos of this life and rest in His presence? Trust Him like a child trusts their father to carry your burdens and provide for your needs? Humbly come to His feet, release your need for control, and experience the peace that passes all understanding when you BEHOLD His beauty and unmeasurable love for you.
He is knocking on the door and waiting for you to pause, open your heart, and BEHOLD His presence.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” — Revelation 3:20 NIRV
With joy, your sister,
Heather