A ministry of the Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board
Daily Coverage

Wednesday, July 17, 2002
"CALLED . . . FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"

Mariana Barriga and Becky Baile Crouse enjoy the music of the Dominican Youth Worship Team at a late-night session.

WEATHER: Continued very sunny and very warm conditions, high in the mid-90s

KEY EVENTS: Morning and evening worship celebrations; first small-group meetings; first day of workshops and service projects; recreation time and beginning of NYC volleyball tournament; late-evening Mutual Kumquat concert, Dominican Worship Team, and "Godspell" presentation

TODAY'S QUOTES: "I don't know about you, but I'm pumped!" – Emergency Response/ Service Ministries director Stan Noffsinger, speaking after a powerful message by Tony Campolo and an arena-shaking singing of the NYC theme song

"God, I really think you should take a mulligan on this one, because you got the wrong guy." – Ben Martin, performing a skit as a golfer that God calls to ministry

WORSHIP CELEBRATIONS: The morning service had an international flavor, with songs from the Dominican Republic and Ghana and introductions of NYC participants from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Nigeria. The worship also introduced the day's vocational theme (see story, page 2) with a video and reflections and featured liturgical movement.

Tony Campolo

White Oak Church of the Brethren minister Jim Myer brought the morning message, "Jesus Wants the You in You," talking about his own life journey and using a host of anecdotes to encourage NYC participants to allow Jesus to uncover the "true self" that God can use in reaching the world. "To be complete, and sense the call of God for us, that's the challenge," Myer said. In keeping with his farm background, Myer urged NYCers to respond with a "Baaaaa!" rather than an "Amen!" if moved.

Laura Nouse, of Bedford, Pa., attempts to stand up while attached to another member of her small group Wednesday afternoon.

The evening worship included drama, more high-octane music, spiritual reflections, and then the potent address by guest speaker Dr. Tony Campolo, who lives near Philadelphia and has traveled widely to speak to groups (including some previous Brethren events). Campolo spoke for nearly an hour, touching on the promise of new life in Jesus Christ and the ways that Christians can be Jesus in the world for others.

Examples Campolo cited included a World War II priest who saved the lives of Jews in Bulgaria, the futility of the current war against terrorism, the poverty in developing nations, the way that people treat those who have no friends, and the need for people to live in inner cities and connect with the people who live there. "Let Jesus fill you, change you, invade you, live through you," he said. "You can be Jesus for somebody." He drew several standing ovations.

The worship concluded with a rollicking singing of the NYC theme song and a special Brethren clinic box offering (see story, page 3).

Both Myer and Campolo asked for raised hands as commitments at the end of their messages, to give the "real you" to Jesus and to truly become a disciple of Christ. They both also enjoyed the NYC "Preach It" waves before their respective messages. "That was great!" Campolo exclaimed.

Several dozen congregational squads took to the fields Wednesday afternoon for the NYC volleyball tournament.

OTHER NOTES, EVENTS, AND THINGS OF INTEREST: A small wildfire broke out about 10 miles from Estes Park, Colo., Wednesday afternoon. Smoke was visible in the distance from the Colorado State University campus, but it wasn't expected to affect hiking groups during the week at present. . . . NYC participants this week are receiving prayer cards completed by people who attended Annual Conference and committed to praying for a NYCer. . . . A Brethren Witness event outside the arena Wednesday morning invited NYCers to give up one shoe for the worship time to recognize the 500 people killed or injured by landmines worldwide each week. A line of 768 shoes was formed along the ramp leading up to Moby Arena. A petition of names to be sent to President George W. Bush was also collected. . . More than 200 NYCers fanned out to service projects in the area Wednesday afternoon. . . . The NYC volleyball tournament began on a sun-filled Wednesday afternoon, with 64 teams participating in two divisions. . . . The Dominican Brethren participants noted that the church there is now 12 years old, with 23 congregations. Seven of those congregations are represented at NYC.