08/29/06 :: Teens and parents gather for “Xtreme” teaching, worship, and fun
Orlando, FL >> More than 550 teens and parents spent four days together last month at the Xtreme student conference, hosted by Metro Life Church. The conference included a rap concert, a graffiti wall, and a water park, but what these teens were most excited about was the greatness of God. Metro Life’s Elizabeth Oleck sent us this report.
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- Above. All.
- Superior to, beyond, bigger than, in a position of higher respect, transcendent.
- Whole, everything, everyone.
- Superior to, beyond, bigger than, in a position of higher respect, transcendent.
Two simple words, yet what a profound impact they had on hundreds of youth from the southern region (Florida, Louisiana, and the Bahamas). Above All was the theme of this year’s Xtreme Student Conference (July 12–15), held at Metro Life Church (Orlando, FL) and led by Jeremy Jones. At the outset of the conference, Jeremy proclaimed the purpose for the weekend: to glorify God Above All.
The conference was packed with messages centered on God’s greatness and glory along with a prophetic ministry night and an exclusive party at the Wet ‘n Wild water park. The church building was transformed for the conference, complete with stage lighting and effects, video presentations and game rooms (including big-screen Xbox 360!). And as students walked into the auditorium they were challenged to “make their mark” and sign the graffiti wall.
The first night of the conference, Jeremy helped us see what it looks like to glorify God in all things, a God who is truly Above All. At the end of his message, Curtis Allen (a.k.a. Voice, rapper and member of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD) burst onto the stage. During his show, Curtis spoke to the youth about his purpose in rapping—to affect people with the truth of the gospel message.
Grant Layman (an executive pastor of Covenant Life Church) was the conference guest speaker. Grant gave three messages, effectively communicating God’s greatness compared to man’s insignificance by giving vivid images and examples through creation. On Thursday, Grant delivered a message on doing all for the glory of God. Grant’s last message addressed the importance of thinking about heaven and setting our minds on things above. Saturday morning concluded the conference as Danny Jones (senior pastor of Metro Life Church) summarized the messages and helped students to apply the truth they learned.
God did great things in this group of young people through the worship and teaching that fed so many souls! Twenty-year-old Ryan Johnson from Daytona Beach said, “I liked the worship a lot—burdens have just been lifted during worship.” Fifteen-year-old Danielle Moss from the Bahamas said, “Xtreme has really helped me to see that even though I’m a sinner and I’m not anything that [God] should look at, he still loves me.” And seventeen-year-old Ashley Hopping from St. Petersburg said, “The theme of this conference has been perfect for where I am in my life. I have a tendency to be self-sufficient and sit on the throne of my life and God has been teaching me that I need to give it up to him because he is Above All!”
The conference closed with a reminder about the youth mission trips (titled Mission:X) that Metro Life is planning for next year. You can find out about those trips, as well as watch videos about the Xtreme conference and download free messages, at the conference website: www.xtreme-online.org.