Southern Spirit September 15, 2015 | Seite 7

5 er 15, 2015 1. TYI 2015 Recap Scan here to watch TYI 2015 Highlights: EVERY TRIBE: Overcomer Scan here to watch how the Lord used TYI to help one delegate triumph over tragedy: One world, one ambition 2. 3. 4. 5. 8. 7. 6. Photos by Joshua Huling Photos: 1. Teamwork during the ‘Tribal Night’ program. 2. Delegate ‘selfie’ with TYS Major Bobby Westmoreland. 3. The ‘Tribal Mudder’ race. 4. Delegates pose for pictures at the Bollywood Ball. 5. ‘Pitch Perfect’ elective choir performs at Awards Night. 6. Vespers at the cross. 7. Cornelius Walton (ALM) receives Commissioner’s Award. 8. Dance elective performs on Awards Night. Youth make great gains in cultural awareness Continued from page 1 bringing together 450 staff and delegates in a time of corporate worship. Major Bobby and Captain Anne Westmoreland, territorial youth secretary and associate secretary, opened the week with an invitation. Delegates and staff were encouraged to take strips of cloth, write their prayers/ praises on them and then tie them to reeds fixed on the stage in the fashion of Tibetan prayer flags. In a change from recent years, morning manna (devotions) was led by multiple speakers. Major Cheryl Gilliam used a lantern to illustrate the parable of the 10 virgins from Matthew 25 and spoke on how we all must daily rely on the Holy Spirit to refill our oil – that we cannot rely on last week’s blessings and insights to sustain us through the future. Lieutenant Heather Dolby used the familiar story of Jonah and the whale to demonstrate what happens when we fail to live up to God’s purpose; in a world that stresses living a gray-colored life, there is actually light and dark and we must pick a side. Jeff Wallace, pastor of youth development at Peace Baptist, emphasized that the time is now. It is time for Christian love to set the tone for race relations. It is time for our young people to recognize the potential God sees in them and to be ambitious with their friends and futures. Staff led electives and seminars where delegates could experience creative areas of interest, develop skills for ministry and learn valuable life lessons like cultural awareness, respecting themselves and how to evangelize. Night programs were planned intentionally to reach three goals: build community, foster cultural appreciation and inspire Christian confidence. Awards were given out to delegates who most represented what it means to be an exemplary young Christ-follower. As delegates and staff reflect on their experience at TYI 2015, memories of the grueling tough mudder or of Damien Horne’s testimony or of enlightening moments during the Lost Tribes program may be the first things that come to mind. However, the most important message will be remembered from Revelations 5:9: And they sang a new song saying: “You are worthy to take “With all the mess going on in the world today we don’t have time to be divided. Every tribe! It’s not a black issue or a white issue or a Latino issue or an Asian issue…It’s a God issue!” Pastor Jeff Wallace Sp eaker at morning manna the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” With this as the end game we will, as one tribe…one family…one world, dedicate ourselves to one ambition.