Discovering the possibilities at the Spring EVENT

Friday March 27th 2015

Fun at the EVENT in Ballymena on March 20.

By Gillian Millar (Ahoghill and Portglenone)

St Patrick’s Ballymena was the venue for the Spring EVENT for all young people from across Connor Diocese. And what a fantastic evening it turned out to be!

As youth groups poured in through the doors they were greeted with popcorn (always a hit!) and a very warm welcome. It’s always wonderful to see friends from across the diocese we rarely get to meet up with. There was quite a hubbub of noise and excited conversation.

The EVENT began with an exuberant welcome and challenging game of Ninjas. It is a real pity that so many of us lack coordination! Aarron Boyce, aka Ed Sheeran, led worship, aided by a wonderful band. The worship was celebratory and engaging and helped to set the tone of the evening really well.

The evening saw the launch of the Engage Connor Youth Streetreach Project. We watched a fantastic video on the whys and hows of Streetreach, we would certainly say we felt challenged to get involved. The quietest young lad in our group said he would love to help, so if you are over 16 get involved! It promises to be a life transforming week for everyone!

Tash Creaney from 24/7 was a brilliant speaker at the Spring EVENT.

The theme of the evening was ‘Discovering the possibilities when we pray’ with Tash Creaney from 24/7. What a brilliant speaker! Everyone was hooked on her every word! We were challenged, we were loved, we were encouraged and reminded that God is interested in every area of our lives.

Tash’s life story will have resonated with so many people listening. Tash went on to encourage us to pray and gave us simple tools to help us every day in our own prayer life.

As a youth leader it was humbling to see all those groups huddled around beach balls and writing on their prayer topics. Then finally to see young people truly engaged in the prayer stations dotted around the room and responding to God! Wonderful!

Of course no night is complete without pizza and loads of it! Well done to the Engage Connor Youth Committee! A great night!

It’s great to be reminded that we are all part of a bigger picture and not just solitary youth groups working away in our own locality. Get involved with all the future plans and events. These build up community, build faith and equip us to hear Gods call to engage with our world and share His love. We are certainly looking forward to what’s next!