The Edge Conference is a middle school youth conference, hosted at Covenant College, that the CPC Youth has attended for many years. It continues to be a meaningful part of our summer. This conference invites reformed churches (mostly from the Southeast region) to bring their middle school youth to “exciting activities, sports tournaments, church group times, worship, and gospel-centered teaching. All of the programming we do is an effort to stimulate and enhance the relationships between your leaders and students so that the Gospel might go forth in power out of those bonds. We believe that this is a critical life stage where big decisions are made, especially when it comes to their faith. We want to capitalize on this time by speaking at their level and challenging them where they are (The Edge Conference)."
The first day after we arrived at Covenant College, our 22 middle schoolers (some new, some returning) and six leaders unloaded our things into the dorms and settled in for the week. After dinner and leader meetings, we went to the first event that set the tone for the whole week - large group worship! It is a lot to take in at once and can be overwhelming, but the energy in the room influences all the students to participate in singing songs of praise to God and listening to the speaker talk about the Gospel. The rest of the week was filled with many chances to build new friendships and strengthen old ones through participation in tournaments, Mafia (murder mystery), ping pong, spike ball, a dance party, meals, and more!
The Edge, however, is not primarily about fun and games. Each night the speaker (Scottie Hill from Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church) walked us through a presentation of the Gospel. The theme for the large group times that week was "Who is Jesus?". Scottie talked about Jesus being the Living Water, the Truth, the Good Shepherd, and how He is our Savior. Whatever uneasy feelings we may struggle with, whether it be doubt, insecurity, aimlessness, hopelessness, or thirst for something ultimately fulfilling, we can look to Jesus and ask Him to restore us because of what He has done. Changing the lives of those He has encountered and raising those from the dead (Scottie went over Luke 17.30-40), Jesus has resurrected and overcome the world. Our faith in Him restores, cleanses, and changes us. Everlasting fulfillment is found only in Christ Jesus.
During our small group discussion times throughout the week, I was encouraged by our students' comments, insights, and questions. We discussed Scripture, the importance of devotional time (alone and with friends), and why it is comforting to know we can talk to the Father about anything - even though He knows everything about us!
On the third night of The Edge students are invited to respond to the Gospel message - either confirming they already love and trust Jesus, aren’t yet ready, or for the first time want to put their faith and trust in Jesus. Known as “Commitment Night,” it is a powerful experience. The leaders made the time beforehand to pray over each of our students by name. By God’s grace, the fruit of the Spirit is with them, and we prayed that the Father would keep them, strengthen them, encourage them, and comfort them in His Son Jesus during the holy moments of that night.
To witness so many students from across the country both confirming their faith in Jesus or coming to faith for the first time is extraordinary, overwhelming, and powerful. As the week ended, our students (and leaders) were tired but so happy from experiencing a time of drawing closer to God and drawing closer to each other.
I was overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God across the years and was struck by a couple of things. The message during the last leaders’ meeting was about John 21.15-19. The speaker highlighted not only Jesus forgiving Peter, but Jesus telling him “Do you love me.... Feed my lambs…Tend my sheep…Feed my sheep.” What a blessing it has been to serve in the CPC youth ministry - to pour back into a place that, by God’s grace, I get to call home. And not only that, but it is even more special serving with folks I grew up with: Justin Martin & Travis Hutchinson (my previous teachers), friends I met through the CPC Youth myself (Kallie Cook & Heather Morrison), and previous students (Seb Lewin & Sophie Wright)! Because of God’s grace and the love we have in Him and through His Son Jesus Christ, we leaders are blessed to pour into the next generation. They are not only “a part of the church body,” but younger siblings we get to learn from. (1 Timothy 4.12 & 1 Timothy 5.1-2)
It will be a bittersweet departure this upcoming school year as I pursue another calling with RUF-I. The future of our youth and of Covenant Presbyterian Church is very bright! I am so deeply honored and humbled to have witnessed such a week of laughter, joy, praise, and worship. To God be the glory!
Joshua Willing, CPC member
