Hello from all of us on the Youth Conference Committee!
Well, another year of the Youth Conference has passed and what a blessed time it was. Between the 17th and 19th of March, over 150 of us gathered in Lendrick Muir to meet with old friends, make new ones and have fellowship with one another. It was such a joy to be able to do this.
In our main meetings, we enjoyed times of worship together and heard talks from Graham Daniels, the General Director of Christians in Sport (CIS), who took us through the first four chapters of Daniel exploring the theme of ‘Real Hope in a Hopeless World’. Graham encouraged us to continue to live for Christ and be His ambassador, even in the increasing secular and hostile culture that we are living in. Perhaps the greatest encouragement from the weekend was that we are not the superheroes, but that we need God to work in us and open our eyes to Scripture and to Himself, which He delights to do.
Our house parents were the wonderful Derek and Catriona Lamont, and we’re so blessed to have had them with us this year! Derek spoke at our morning prayer meetings, where we met together to commit each day to the Lord. These times were well attended – which was surprising considering the early mornings and lack of sleep!
We were joined by various seminar speakers on the Saturday: Cory Brock on ‘Anxiety’, Ben Castaneda on ‘5 Greek words every Christian should know’, Dayspring Macleod on ‘Repentance’, Thomas Davis on ‘Why do we believe in Infant Baptism?’, Marsali Campbell on ‘Planning Your Future’, and Joe Barnard on ‘Mentorship’. Our final seminar of the weekend was on Sunday morning where Andy Hunter, Scotland Director of FIEC, joined us to deliver a seminar on ‘The Church’. These times together really helped us dig deeper into other aspects of living out our faith, and we’re very grateful to everyone who came and delivered talks.
Psalms and Testimony Night made a return this year, and what an uplifting time it was. We heard from two of our delegates Joe and Leo, and from our head chef Emma Mackenzie, who each had different encouraging stories to share. It was humbling to hear how Jesus has called each of them, in very different ways, into a saving relationship with Him forever.
Whilst being interrupted a few times over the weekend with a certain fire alarm, the singing and the conversations didn’t stop! The conference couldn’t have been the hit it was without the amazing team of cooks. We were incredibly blessed with the food and extend our thanks to all those involved.
Overall, the YC was a delightful time and all glory be to Him. May this encourage you all – the Lord is surely at work among the next generation of the church. Our prayer is that delegates will return to their local churches, equipped to serve, encouraged in their faith and strengthened in the joy of the Lord. Please encourage them to use their gifts and serve as valued members of the church.
God bless,
Free Church Youth Conference Committee 2023. Report written by Abigail Innes (Music Coordinator)
