As the countdown reached three minutes, the atmosphere electrified. I have never before been to one of Canada's premiere music and ministry conferences for youth, "
YC." I got saved five months before the first one on 1995 but I was 19 and too old. Now, as YC celebrates its 20th year, I am here, doing something that I had never imagined I would do: covering a major event for an international website.
Another incredible side story to all of this is the fact that my 13-year-old daughter is attending her very first YC as well. I am here, with her, experiencing what I have heard so much about. There are 16,000 young people ready to worship and receive from God all that he has for them.
Fade to black.
This year's theme is HOPE. Hope in one God.
As the opening ends with a flourish of pyrotechnics and fireworks, the crowd is ready, yes, it is an experience, but at the same time, there is a hunger and a thirst for hope.
The first session begins with
Ben Cantelon from Worship Central in London leading worship. This is church; a weekend long church service in an NHL Arena. As Ben leads, the "Static Jedi," Eric Samuel Timm paints a picture of a superhero, the first in a series of four that he will complete through the weekend.
I have never seen a worship service of such epic proportions. And to stop and think that as the angels surround the throne of God crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy," rejoicing as lives are changed in this place -- the atmosphere of this arena pales in comparison.
To end the set, Cantelon, introduced a new song that aptly fits what this weekend is about, "Set Apart."
The night ended with a concert from
for KING & COUNTRY. Admittedly, I have never really listened to their music. They delivered a powerful performance. They introduced some new music from their forthcoming third quarter release. We all enjoyed Christmas in May as they performed "Baby Boy."
The thing that struck me most about the band was their diverse musical talents. It was a group of extremely talented musicians making glorious music for our Savior. It seemed as though everyone in the band could play any instrument.
The first night of my first YC was everything I expected it to be. As I go into Saturday, I highly expect that I will be on music overload, and perhaps a little more worn out than I am tonight.
