IGNITE 2013

         Ignite 2013 is a 3-day youth conference held at Cuneta Astrodome last May 29-31, 2013. This is an event of Every Nation Ministries to impart to our next generation the call to reach out and share the gospel in every campus of our nation and to the ends of the earth. Nine thousand six hundred students, young professionals and international delegates attended this youth conference to ignite the fire in their hearts in loving Jesus and being empowered to do the Great Commission. 

         There are a lot of things I’ve learned from Ignite 2013 even though I was not able to hear all the speakers because I volunteered myself to be one of the ushers. Here are the following Bible characters that the speakers focused on so we could learn from their stories:

*Joshua – a man to whom God spoke regarding the ark of the Lord and how they need to consecrate themselves for Him

*Daniel – the servant of God who didn’t compromise despite the king’s strict order

*Esther – a beautiful and captivating woman who stood for her people and her nation knowing that her actions and convictions might lead to her own death

*Jonah – a prophet who had little compassion for the lost people but still, God used him to save a whole nation

*Ananias – the man whom the Lord called to share the gospel to someone who’s going to make a big impact on preaching the Word to every nation

*Paul – a former murderer and persecutor of Christians, but when he had an encounter with Jesus, he suddenly experience a radical faith that despite of persecutions and constant danger, he still courageously preached the gospel in every nation

          I do not want to make this essay very long. Of all the things I learned from Ignite, there is one truth I figured out after three days. 

We are all imperfect people, just like all the people listed above, yet when they are called by God, they responded according to God’s will. 

It is the same with us. 

EVERYONE IS CALLED FOR A GREAT PURPOSE IN THEIR LIVES. 

It will surely bring inconvenience, sufferings, temptations and persecution but as surely as the Lord lives, He will be with us to fulfill our commission. After all, the victory was won more than 2000 years ago. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered death for us so that all who believes in Him will gain victory not just here on Earth but for eternity!

Here are some of the “BOOM” facts that the speakers and pastors shared:

1.    RIGHTEOUSNESS IS HAVING THE RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD. WHEN WE COME TO GOD, HE DOES NOT SEE US, HE SEES JESUS’ RIGHTEOUSNESS.

2.    GOD IS CALLING US NOT JUST TO CHANGE MANILA, BUT THE ASIA AND THE WHOLE WORLD.

3.    IT IS NOT OKAY TO COMPROMISE BECAUSE HE IS A HOLY GOD. HE SACRIFICED HIS SON, PUNISHED, FOR OUR SINS.

4.    IF WE ARE GOING TO WALK WITH GOD, WE NEED TO ASK HIM IF WE ARE RIGHT WITH HIM.

5.    GIVING IN TO SEXUAL SINS CAN DESTROY US. DO NOT TRADE YOUR BIRTHRIGHT FOR SOMETHING THAT FEELS RIGHT.

6.    JUST BECAUSE EVERYTHING FEELS FINE, IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT IS RIGHT AS WELL.

7.    JESUS TRADED HIS BIRTHRIGHT TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

8.    OUR WORSHIP IS A SWEET FRAGRANCE OFFERED TO THE LORD.

9.    YOUR DREAMS ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH IF IT WILL NOT IMPACT ETERNITY.

10. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE BEING FED BY THE WORD OF GOD WITHOUT SHARING IT TO OTHERS WHO STARVE TO SPIRITUAL DEATH!

11. JESUS LIVED THE LIFE WE SHOULD HAVE LIVED. HE DIED THE DEATH WE SHOULD HAVE DIED. HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO OFFER US ETERNAL LIFE IF WE WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM.

12. THE GOSPEL TELLS US THAT JESUS FINISHED THE RACE. IT IS DONE.