Reflections from Passion 2022

Last week, Pastor Tommy and I had the privilege of leading a group of students to Passion 2022. If you’re unfamiliar with this annual conference, here’s what their website has to say:

From its start in 1995, the Passion movement has a singular mission—calling students and leaders from campuses across the nation and cities around the world to live for what matters most. For us, what matters most is the name and renown of Jesus. We believe in this generation and are watching God use them to change the climate of faith around the globe.

 

Passion is a generation living for His Name. This wave is growing into a global awakening living for the name of Jesus. Join the movement.

Coats Baptist college students have attended Passion once a year for the better part of the last decade. I was blessed to attend as a student for several years and then as a leader. It’s an event that I look forward to every year. What’s not to love about being led in worship by some of the most acclaimed modern worship leaders out there and being challenged in your walk with Christ through the Word of God proclaimed? And being one in thousands upon thousands of believers lifting up the name of Jesus is one of those “small taste of heaven” experiences.

But none of that matters if hearts aren’t transformed and lives aren’t directed towards greater Kingdom impact. The speakers and worship leaders did a phenomenal job at leading those in attendance to do those things. And I believe the Spirit of God was alive and active in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Still, it’s up to an individual to whole-heartedly and passionately pursue Christ, to know Him and make Him known to the nations. That type of lifestyle depends on daily communion with the Lord through His Word and prayer. It depends on accountability and discipline. It depends on living in community with other believers and the body of Christ supporting on another.

This is where YOU come in.

What I learned and what our students learned at Passion 2022 isn’t just for us. We need you, the church, to come alongside us in prayer and support so that the movement we’ve joined doesn’t come to an end. Below are short (anonymous) statements describing what God taught individual students from Coats Baptist while at Passion 2022. Take a moment to read over them and pray that God would continue to work in hearts and through His church to truly make His glory known among the nations through these CBC students.

• God taught me that there is no condemnation for the weight of sin we hold. Passion 2022 also made me more confident that going into ministry work is something I want to do.
• I learned that I need to read the Bible more and back up what I say with scripture. I also need to get rid of distractions like social media, relationships, & anything that keeps me from focusing on God. If I let God use me, I can help others. My pain and things I’ve been through are worth it. 
• God has revealed to me that our walk with Him is not about becoming the person He is asking us to be. Rather it’s about just being that person because it’s already who we are thanks to the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). For example, instead of trying to become fearless for the kingdom of God we can just be fearless because that’s how God has defined us from the beginning of time (Proverbs 28:1). We just have to choose to live in that reality and not let the enemy deceive us into believing we are someone we aren’t.
• God reminded me of the importance of confession – out loud – to Him and to fellow believers. Confession shows we believe God’s Word and the power it has to heal and restore. As we engaged Hebrews 12, we were asked the question: What if you try to run the race without throwing off your sin? You can’t!
• I learned that God is truth. I need to represent the truth of who God is and what His word says everyday.
• I learned of idols in my life that need to be rearranged so God is first. I was also constantly reassured that God is not a God of shame. That’s Satan’s game.
• I learned that the most important relationship in my life is the one with God and that it’s something that requires constant attention and work but it is all worth it. 

What is God teaching YOU? Perhaps instead of binge-watching a show on Netflix this week, I encourage you to go to passion2022.com where you can watch every session from the conference and ask God to teach and grow you through this online resource.