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Youth take on Christian challenge By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer Feb. 25, 2002 - Over 500 Lincoln County youth are wearing bright orange shirts today, primed for a week of prayer and service. The Seven Day Challenge: Exit from Apathy, was the brainchild of four area youth pastors who meet regularly for prayer. Mike Devine, one of the four, describes the week as a time for youth to renew their commitment to God and to touch the community. Every day this week has a theme. For today, Servant Day, Ashley Arlow plans to help fellow Lincolnton High School students with their trays at lunch time. Arlow and other members of the Believers Club met Friday afternoon to distribute tee-shirts and review activities for the week. Bethany Gilreath, president of the club, is especially looking forward to Thursday, Appreciation Day. “Everybody needs encouraging words,” she said. Some members like Brandy Farris plan to put those words on paper. Farris will be sending her youth pastor at Victory Baptist a note of gratitude. Arlow says she will probably write to the school cafeteria workers. She will also make an extra effort to avoid talk negatively about others. “I’ll watch myself and make sure I don’t gossip,” she said. Tuesday is Family Appreciation and Submission day. “They’re making a commitment to parents and teachers to be humble in spirit,” Devine said. For Wednesday, Prayer Day, students will gather before classes begin for prayer at the campus flag pole. They will wear plain white tee shirts and khakis as a sign of humility. “No advertisements, no Abercrombie, not even churches,” Devine said. Students will bring their own Bibles to school Friday. Extras will be available for others students who ask for one. Saturday students will tackle their rooms, removing anything that dishonors God. Devine said this could be posters, movies or Internet materials. Saturday night the week’s activities culminate when contemporary Christian band Present Reality performs. Jamie Johnson, a former college basketball player, will speak at the Citizens Center. Johnson is the founder of Crossfire Ministries, an Asheville based organization of former college athletes who use sports to evangelize. Devine, youth pastor at Covenant Bible Church, is excited about the week’s ecumenical spirit. “There’s not competition between the churches,” he said. “We’ve broken down denominational walls to reach kids who are hurting.”
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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