'Time Is Ticking'--Jim Brown

Two girls signed the words, while the Momentum choir sang to open the Thursday evening session. John Ward introduced two students who were among the group that visited the Hindu Temple today. Liz from Ohio had never been to a temple before. What really hit her hard was that “they said they believe in the same God that we worship. But they have reduced their god to a piece of metal.” It just broke her heart to see that and she can’t imagine how much it hurts God. Jake from Brookville was blown away by how cross-cultural it was. He was amazed at how confused they are as a people and how much there is a need to pray for them. Larry Everett, We Care Coordinator, introduced Tyler from IN who went to a homeless shelter called Shepherds Park. His group pulled weeds, picked up trash and organized room of clothes. They noticed how little money the shelter had so they took an offering and gave the shelter $100. Scott Feather came to introduce a quiz demonstration. The two final quiz teams, NEO and NAD 2, did a practice 10-question quiz.

Ed Lewis talked about reasons to memorize Scripture. Last year the challenge was given to students to memorize 100 verses. Ed introduced three students and one adult who completed this challenge. All three received study Bibles.

Drew Waggoner talked about his Friday morning Power Trax called the “5:3 Club”. The “5:3 Club” encourages students to enjoy great sex by waiting to have sex until their wedding day.

Jim Brown, Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church in Goshen, IN, came to speak to the youth conference.

Jim started with the question, “Have you ever been left behind?” He told the story of a lady that hit the back of his car twice while he was waiting at two consecutive intersections during a snow storm. At the third intersection he saw her coming again, put the car in first gear, and left her behind.

“It felt good to leave her behind,” said Jim.

But often times being left behind leaves you with the feeling of rejection and insecurity.

Jim asked the conference to turn to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 so he could talk about the time of Tribulation. After using a powerful video to illustrate the rapture, Jim asked, “If the rapture happened, maybe even tonight, would you be left behind?”

The sound of a clock began ticking in the background as a symbol that time is ticking, while Jim explained the Rapture, Tribulation, and Millennium. The he presented information on new technological advancements, science, and world events that point to the close return of Jesus. He showed students Bible passages that relate to these events. “The stage is set for the rapture of Jesus Christ”, said Jim.

Jim asked the conference to turn to Matthew 7:13-14 and he read, “Enter through the narrow gate, but broad is the gate that leads to destruction.” We need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. “You can’t lose your salvation,” says Jim, “if you have a genuine relationship with Jesus.” Salvation requires sacrifice. There has to be a distinct difference in you then someone who doesn’t know Jesus.

Jim prayed and asked students who wanted to accept Christ to come forward. As Steve Fee prepared to lead worship, students came down the aisle from all over the arena.