Hey guys! If you didn't get a chance to check out the article about Accelerant, here it is!
Article written by Megan Alba. Click here to view the original document.
Accelerant, the
IPHC's premier winter youth retreat, has been igniting a fire in students for 15 years. This year was no different. With almost spring-like weather outside, the atmosphere inside the Gatlinburg Convention Center was that of young people who were on fire for Christ. More than 2200 teens and youth leaders attended the
15th annual
Accelerant, January 26 - 29 in Gatlinburg, TN.
In recent years, the event has been marked by vibrant, Pentecostal services that included extended altar ministry, teens slain in the spirit, and hundreds of youth experiencing the filling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues. This year's event, while outwardly more subdued, was deeply passionate. The spiritual fervor was palpable as teens spent much of their time around the altar in prayer for themselves, their peers, and their schools and communities.
Bishop Greg Amos says the transition was intentional - not to "quench the Spirit," but to create an event that would lead to lasting change in teens' lives.
"Accelerant 2012 has been an event of great significance and depth. The messages and worship created a ripe atmosphere for transformation," Amos told
Experience. "I received a text from a parent who could already tell a difference in her son. That's why Accelerant exists. We want to be a catalyst that ignites and sustains a fire."
Speakers
Tavner Smith (Redemption World Outreach Center) and
Mike Haman (Healing Place Church) shared hard-hitting sermons that challenged youth to fight the spirit of complacency and compromise that plagues their generation. In the opening service, Tavner Smith spoke candidly about the importance of taking a stand for Christ.
"There's a room full of lions sitting in here tonight," he said, "and you're curled up on the lap of society instead of being the kings you've been called to be." Smith went on to challenge teens to live up to the potential God has placed within them , and to be the world changers God has called their generation to be.
Other guests included rap artist
J. Prophet and worship band
Chasen. Teens also enjoyed a worship concert with
The Afters and Grammy-nominated
Leeland.
A spirit of prayer and devotion continued in the Saturday morning Youth Workers Breakfast, where Tavner Smith shared a word of knowledge for youth leaders. Following his prophetic word, IPHC executive leadership praying over nearly every leader in the room.
Even vendors noted the change in teens' attitudes and actions. "You guys are doing an awesome thing," said one vendor. "I do a lot of different denominational youth conferences, and there's such a stark difference between this one and others." He went on to explain.
The event also raised more than $5,000 for the annual Global Quest offering, which provides support for
Metro Ministries,
Free Camp, and
Hope4Sudan.
Praise reports were already coming in before the event ended, and Amos expects many more in the coming weeks. Students and youth leaders can share their testimonies by posting on the
Accelerant Facebook page, or by emailing
GAmos91380@aol.com.
To see more photos from Accelerant, visit the IPHC Ministries Facebook page.
