(B)aptist (Y)outh (G)athering.....This Friday!!!!

Hello to all!!!

Who can guess what we're doing for Youth this Friday???

Anyone??

Ok, I'll give you a clue, it's all in the title!

Well incase you cant get the clue, the extra-ordinary Youth of Gawler Baptist are going to BYG..... in other words, The Baptist Youth Gathering!!!

We've been to 2 so far, and from what I can tell WE LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I don't know how anyone else feels when we go to B.Y.G or even after we've been. But I know for me, when I know I'm going to Baptist Youth Gathering, I seem to mysteriously have the worst week in record. It's almost like the devil is trying to hold me back from going and being with all the other Baptist Youth in South Australia and freely praising God until I go blue in the face, so to speak of course!

I feel a pressure on me as we travel to the event, it's like a war is being waged inside my head and to be honest it scares me. But as we enter the doors of the venue where we are going to praise God, something inside me shifts. 

It's like all that is bad, that tries to attack me on the way to BYG gets scared and leaves. 

I love this feeling. It's that freedom that Jesus died for. I've walked through the doors into a sanctuary where I, and many others like me are safe to praise God and not worry about the dark one interrupting. 

As the Baptist Youth of South Australia, we have an extra-ordinary power and strength because of the Lord, God Almighty. 

When we stand in that room and lift our hearts and praises to the Lord, I feel as if He's there with us. Supporting us, showing us that we have the strength and the power in His name to accomplish amazing things. To have the world stop and stare in wonder at His work, that we were the able hands for.

God is so amazing!!

In the couple of hours we are at BYG I go from feeling scared, nervous, and exhausted.... to feeling uplifted, inspired, loved, extra-ordinary, and a beautiful child of God.

I know it shouldn't take a gathering like this to bring these things out in us, but sometimes it does. 

As youth of today, we have SO much to contend with and often we forget how truly special and perfect we are in the eyes of our Lord. 

When we as Gawler Baptist Youth group go on Friday to the Baptist Youth Gathering, I encourage us all to open our hearts, and our minds to the Lord. No matter what has happened during our week, Friday night is the night to just let go of it all and hand it to God, because these are not things you need to carry around with you.

Also on a little side note, Father we want to thank You that You are now taking care of the amazing Jimmy MacLennan. We will all miss Jimmy very, very much, but we will rejoice with Marlene that his now dancing in Your presence and enjoying eternity!! xoxo

Much love and God Bless you all

Hailey

Term 2 Begins!!!!

Welcome back to Youth Group for TERM 2!!!!!!!!!!!!

This term we have a new program packed full of fun things that we are going to be doing!

If you are already a part of Gawler Baptist Youth Group you would have received a plan of what's on this term from Dawn, our beautiful Youth Group leader.

I encourage everyone this term to not be afraid of speaking to people about the Lord and Jesus Christ. Considering that we just had Easter, and we remembered the magnificent and selfless sacrifice that the Lord, God Almighty gave us. We are so blessed and it would be amazing to have new followers of Christ realise that same thing!

The Lord unconditionally loves US! We are soooo lucky, that we also are not punished for our beliefs.

I know that sometimes in this cruel world it feels like we are punished for what we believe in, particularly in our school environments. 

But in reality we have it easy compared to many.

In many parts of the world people are still killed for believing in Jesus Christ and the Lord, God Almighty.

This is something that shouldn't be happening, but it is!

We need to realise that we are blessed with the life we have, the things we have, and the freedom to believe what we want to.

Parents I encourage you to spread the word, on how lucky we are, in your work places, with your friends.

Kids/Students, I encourage to talk about how lucky we are in as many different ways you feel comfortable with your friends and family. God will be with you as you do this, for He never abandons His children!

Have a beautiful week, and weekend, and I will write again soon :)

May God Bless YOU greatly,

Hailey