When something amazing happens, it is a natural thing to share that with others.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010, was a historic night in REVOLUTION.
I get the privilege and honor of leading REVOLUTION, the 6th-12th grade student ministry at NORTHchurch in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I pinch myself daily because I get the opportunity to wake up everyday and work with some of the greatest students and leaders on this planet.
Wednesday was one of those days that student pastors live for…
The day started early in the morning with a special breakfast for the incoming 6th graders that were starting REVOLUTION that night. Different youth leaders drove to their homes, quietly walked into their homes, woke them up, and took them in their pajamas and messed-up hair to IHOP for breakfast. Many of the veteran REVOLUTION students were at the breakfast too. We played games, ate pancakes, and shared what being a part of REVOLUTION is all about.
The veteran REVOLUTION students did an amazing job reaching out to the incoming 6th graders, helping them feel comfortable (even in their pajamas), and welcoming them with open arms into our family. I was so proud of them. They stepped up. They were leaders.
That night at REVOLUTION there was a buzz in the air. The energy was high and their was an anticipation about the service before the doors even opened. It was a special night because all the students were officially going up a grade, it was the first service for the incoming 6th graders, and it was the last official REVOLUTION service for our two summer interns – Josh Dunn and Lauren Sheppard.
Once the doors opened, God immediately started big things. I stood on stage looking out over a packed house. I challenged the veteran students to welcome the incoming 6th graders with open arms and then gave them the perfect opportunity to do just that. As all the veteran REVOLUTION students lined up in a massive human tunnel, I announced all the incoming 6th graders (pre-game basketball starting lineups style). They went bananas. Upon completing the roll call, the REVOLUTION veterans surrounded the incoming 6th graders, laid hands on them, and prayed for them.
After the BLOCKBUSTER SUMMER 2010 recap video, one of our summer interns – Josh Dunn – shared an inspiring message. He challenged the students to wake up and see all that God has done for them. He painted a picture of what REVOLUTION could look like every week and gave them the opportunity to make the choice to make that a reality. He hit a homerun. As a response to his message, we worshiped.
Worship exploded in REVOLUTION like never before. There was a freedom in that room like never before. It did not matter who was to your right or your left. It did not matter if you could not sing well or you were the next American Idol. The only thing that mattered was each individual heart connecting with God’s heart. Words cannot express what we experienced during that 4 song worship set. I was blown away. It wasn’t camp. It wasn’t a retreat. It wasn’t Sulphur Springs Workcamp. It wasn’t a mission trip. It was 100+ students and leaders passionately running after God with wreckless abandonment. It was REVOLUTION.
Our other intern – Lauren Sheppard – shared another message challenging the REVOLUTION students to step up and be leaders. She eloquently was used by God to describe that it was essential for each student to be a better follower (of Jesus) to be a better leader. She challenged the students to not just come to REVOLUTION but to be a REVOLUTION. As she wrapped up her message, she called the REVOLUTION staff to the front as she told the students (who had their eyes shut and head bowed) to look up if they were going to step up as leaders, to be a REVOLUTION, and simply say “I’m all in.” It was so inspiring seeing the determination and sincerity in so many students’ eyes as they communicated by starred into my eyes, “I’m ready. You can count on me.”
We closed the service by surrounding our two interns, thanking them for their service, and praying for them.
It was an unbelievably epic night in REVOLUTION. Don’t believe me? Check out these Facebook status’ from that night…
“a challenge…a recipe calling for determination…the determination results in focus…focus can’t break without a fight…and the fight can’t win without justice…justice that speaks of truth…this truth lead by a light…this light leading the way…the way being Christ…Christ causing a REVOLUTION…the REVOLUTION that started with a challenge…”
“welcome to REV 6th graders 
“
“I WAS AT CHURCH TONIGHT AND I STARTED SINGING AND THEN MY HAND WENT UP AND I STARTED JUMPING AND DANCING!!! IT WAS AMAZING LIKE WHAT LAUREN SAID WE AREN’T AT A CAMP OR ITS AN EMOTIONAL NIGHT!! IT WAS JUST A WEDNESDAY. A GREAT ONE!! I AM FREE TO RUN. I AM FREE TO DANCE!!!”
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God is so good. I cannot wait for REVOLUTION this week.
