This years Encounter Conference was another one for the record books. The theme was BOLD and all in attendance seemed to have been infused with the very essence of the word.
Bishop Ming kicked the conference off with a new expanded format on Friday morning with a message called, "Bold As a Lion." Using Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion," he gave us 3 ways of BEING BOLD:
1. Be BOLD by trusting in God with ALL your HEART
2. Be BOLD from the inside out - "What's important to God is the who before the do!"
3. Be BOLD by being hungry - Stop sitting on the sidelines and start living on the other side of the comma

Other dynamite sessions included Randy Lawrence (National Youth Director) and Adam McCain who taught us the power of 7 Hallelujahs and led us into a time of worship laden with prayer, prophesy and proclamation. 

The breakout sessions and educational presentation gave us clear actionable steps for exercising and enacting our BOLDNESS. Randy L. and Brandon Kelley  (SOMO DYD) laid out detailed plans for crafting a meaningful Sunday morning worship experience and how to harness the power of church online. Jon Jennings taught us about the vital need for soul care as leaders and dropped a golden nugget illustrated by Jesus in the garden. “Even Jesus needed a community around him standing with him…that’s why He kept asking the sleepy disciples to pray! If Jesus needed that community, how much more do you and I as we  live and serve?!” Tom Toney admonished us concerning the “Slow Fade” of our youth from out churches and the need for not only discipleship /service oriented student ministries but for Parents to lead the charge to reverse the slow fade by rethinking discipleship in their own homes.

If you are looking for a solid discipleship based student ministries curriculum then look no further than Kuest Kids. The Kuest program is all about discipleship through action and not just through teaching Biblical stories and events. Have you ever considered the possibility that even your elementary students can jump right in and begin to serve by doing things as simple as making the coffee or being greeters?

If you've never had the opportunity to see the look in a child's eyes as the Word of God illuminates them, you've missed out on one of the ultimate joys of life! This illumination scenario took place daily at IMPACT SWTX-PCG Kids Camp 2023.
This year's camp was hosted by none other than Captain Rex International. The kids in attendance ranged from ages 5 to 12 and each had the opportunity to deepen their faith through the illumination of God's Word. Captain Rex and the team put on nightly performances which were engaging and transformative. By the end of each service, the kids had memorized a new Scripture and had done so thoroughly enough to recall it the next evening. That's simply good teaching.  Add to this the games and activities, such as Tribal Wars, where each "tribe" was guided and nurtured by a teen or young adult leader through team building mayhem, and you have a recipe for success. By the end of the week we had a small army of illuminated Christ followers marching out far brighter than they had arrived. Illuminating indeed!  
Here are the numbers. There were 45 campers and 13 sponsors, representing 7 SWTX-PCG churches. Thank you to Captain Rex International and North Pointe Church for hosting IMPACT SWTX-PCG Kids Camp 2023. (If you're a camper and your'e reading this, don't forget to practice your "Christian Karate" by reading one Proverb everyday. You know which one! Hint - look at today's date, whichever date it happens to be.)

Anyone who grew up in the PCG remembers Summer camp! Whether you went to camp in Buda, Canyon Lake or Lost Pines (LOST PINES!!!), you no doubt recall the highs of meeting new friends, deepening old relationships and of course, the freedom of drinking as many sodas as you wanted to or not showering the whole week (if that was your thing!). FREEDOM! In a word, that is what youth camp is all about. In that regard, IMPACT SWTX-PCG Summer Camp 2023 did not disappoint!
Four SWTX-PCG churches were represented by 53 campers and 8 sponsors. Activities ranged from Tribal Wars, to archery, to dance productions, to royal rumbles in the swimming pool. One night we were even blessed with a private concert by the Christian rapper and Evangelist Terry Minor Jr. And let me tell you, there's no party like a Holy Ghost party! FREEDOM!
Ultimately, as each one reading this blog who has ever been to summer camp knows, the ultimate freedom of camp takes place in the altars. At IMPACT SWTX-PCG Summer Camp 2023 students who came in bound left FREE! Those who came in with depression, left FREE! Those who came in weighed down by the cares or the world and under attack, left FREE! FREEDOM! To God be the glory!
This years camp was made possible by the amazing ministry of Captain Rex International and North Pointe Church. The Sander's and their team really know how to put on a camp that not only provides an engaging experiences for the students but continually gives them an opportunity to grow closer to God. Thanks y'all!  

General Assembly was in the breathtaking Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee this year. Assembly time also means Summerfest! Summerfest is an opportunity for all of the students of the PCG, from across our nation, to come together and, "as iron sharpens iron," do their thing! Have you ever had the opportunity to see students who were good stewards of the gifts that they have been given? Summerfest was a demonstration of all that beautiful fruit!
This year Impact PCG Student Ministries hosted the largest national Impact Bible Quiz (IBQ) to date. Twenty-three teams came to battle it out, armed with an extensive knowledge of the Word of God.  Have you ever seen a kid who had an entire book of the Bible memorized?! These are the things one gets to witness at Summerfest, the fruit of good stewardship. (See a clip of some Bible quizzing below).
The national Impact Bible Quiz competition was complimented by National Talent Expo (NTE). There were over 160 entires for the competition. Interpretive dance, persuasive speaking, worship team, photography and half a dozen other categories provided the opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and dedication to God, themselves and their team. (Check out the video below of the fifth grader who completely rocked her drum solo performance!)

Stay up to date with all things IMPACT PCG and check out more photos from Summerfest on the IMPACT PCG Student Ministries Facebook Page.

P.S. - It's never too early to start getting ready for Summerfest 2024! Registration for IBQ and NTE will open this Fall. Stay tuned!