Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church presents its annual Youth Crusade
By S_Kschumitz
By Shirley Spann
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Herndon, Virginia, presented its annual Youth Crusade on November 9 - 11, 2007. Over four hundred youths from churches from across the state attended the event, which featured workshops, preaching, and a concert performance by Gospel recording artist Canton Jones.
The theme of the crusade was “To the Mountaintop with the Lord,” which was based on Micah 4:2. “We want to win souls for Christ, to spiritually develop our youth and adults, and to make disciples to spread God’s Word in fun and innovative ways,” stated Rev. Weaver Blondin, who serves as Youth Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
The crusade was led by Blondin, along with many volunteer staff, which included returning college students who felt that the crusade has impacted their lives in previous years.
“I just felt that I should come back and help with the younger youths, stated Tara Rayford (17) of Herndon, Virginia. “I feel the crusade teaches you how to be a stronger person in Christ and helps provide you with what you need to better yourself,” concluded Rayford, who is also a Freshman Business major at Hampton University.
“A lot of children are afraid to talk to people at their churches or with family, but at the crusade, they are surrounded by other youths, and they are free to talk to them,” added Bianca Russell (18) of Sterling, Virginia, now a Freshman at Old Dominion University, majoring in Accounting.
“They feel more comfortable in this environment,” concluded Bianca, who indicated that she has been attending every year and felt it was also important to help other kids.
One desiring to better herself was Takia Holmes of Winchester, Virginia, a ninth grade student at John Hanley High School in Winchester. Holmes stated that she heard about the crusade and has come in hope of returning with a changed attitude, which she believes has caused her a lot of problems in school.
With numerous youths and adults attending for their own reasons, the event provided a safe environment to grow spiritually in a fun atmosphere. The crusade began with a Friday evening service with songs of praise by the musical group Rafael Ross and Reconciliation and the preached Word by Rev. Todd Brown.
Brown, who is Pastor-elect of First Baptist Church in Chesterbrook, Virginia, told the audience what it means to go the mountaintop with the Lord.
“Going to the mountaintop represents a place where God and man meet to fulfill the will of God for your life,” stated Brown. He also challenged his audience to let others see Christ in them by the way that they live.
After being encouraged by Brown’s message, participants were immediately treated to a concert performance by Canton Jones, one of today’s leading Gospel/Hip Hop artist. Jones, who performed many of his latest songs to help kick off the event, stated that he understands the influence music has on young people and sees it as a way to help reach them for Christ.
“My music is like a bait, and God said He’ll make you fishers of men. In order to catch different fish, you need different baits. When you are ministering to different people, you need that type of bait, especially when you are ministering to young people,” stated Jones.
“Like the Apostle Paul, we try to be all to all that we might win some. We really have a love for young people and believe that we are role models for our kids. We try to live that lifestyle—not only in church—but as we visit schools, jails, and streets. We try to live the Word through our music,” stated Jones who also left encouraging words for the youths.
“Be strong, stay true to yourself, and always acknowledge God in all your ways,” stated Jones.”
On Saturday, poetry, drama, mime, dance, rap, stepping were some of the workshops offered to allow youths to express themselves in the arts from Christian perspectives. Youths were given opportunities to showcase what they have been taught in workshops they attended in the crusade’s close-out presentations. They amazed the audience with their performances of what they learned within the various workshops in only one day.
By the end of the three-day event, thirty young people committed their lives to Christ, including several who just wanted to be rededicated to Him.
Understanding the challenges that young people face and desiring to see them draw closer to God, Rev. Dr. James Graham, Jr., who is Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, expressed his excitement that the crusade fulfilled its goals.
“The goal of our Youth Crusade was to bring together young people in a healthy and rewarding environment that would be life transforming, and I believe we have accomplished that,” stated Graham.
“Lives were transformed. Our children got together in an environment that was safe and was fun. They began to realize that they can do meaningful, rewarding fun things in a healthy environment while at the same time promote their own individual spirituality,” stated Graham.
“I commend our staff and as well as volunteers for what they’ve done. We look forward to continuing to serve our community by having other events of this magnitude. Over 400 young people attended, and we look forward to expanding the event in the future,” concluded Graham.
WOW!!!! This was such an awesome and very well written article. It is truly a joy to see how God's power was manifested in the lives of the youth and adults alike. Praise God for Pastor Graham and Rev. Gloria Graham, the Youth Pastor Rev. Weaver Blondin and his wife Sister Karone Blondin for all they do for the Kingdom of God. May God continue to bless you all. In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Posted by G.J.
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This Crusade was such a blessing and to have 400 youth praising God and exhibiting their God-given talents was certainly a blessing to me. I also enjoyed and was blessed in the Parenting Workshop. This Crusade was a blessing to the Parents and Adults as well. Keep up the good work Pastor WB, Pastor Graham and all of the volunteers.
Posted by joannhillclark
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