Friday, July 17, 2009

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Youth Alive assignment By STAFF WRITER ~ Nassau Guardian: Midway into the year, 34 murders have been committed, with most of the crime and major social problems attributed to youth and males in particular, with the vast majority of the murder accused and the victims being young men. Increasingly, females are following the lead of males in this anti-social or self-destructive behavior, which means our youth are obviously in need of guidance and intervention. Youth Alive is Bahamas Faith Ministries' response as a church and organization to the cry for youth for guidance and positive alternatives. Considered one of the premier youth conferences in the world, Youth Alive is designed to minister to youth — leaders, pastors and others interested in the development and training of young people. The conference will be held July 1-5 at The Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road, and will address topics and issues today's youth are faced with and provide practical, relevant answers to these challenges in a way that young people can relate to — stressing leadership training. The conference is a lively, energetic event with dynamic teaching, music, drama and special events that has over the years captivated young people from around the world. And is known for innovative and creative use of the media to reach teens on their level. This year's event is loaded with prolific speakers, musical artists and dramatists. The conference is aiming to strengthen the faith of believers but also to reach out to those who do not have a clear direction for their lives. In the past this event has attracted more than 5,000 youth from the United States, Canada, Europe and throughout the country. Under the Theme: The Assignment: "Living Right in a World Gone Wrong," Youth Alive speakers will include motivational speaker and author and former Miss California, Lakita Garth; Pastor Durre Thomas of Calvary Temple, Freeport; youth pastor Terren Dames of Dallas Texas; minister and communications specialist DJ Roker of West Palm Beach, Florida; Ricardo Miller, a child and youth ministry specialist; Brooke Eneas, minister and former Miss Florida Panhandle. Local speakers will include BFM senior pastor Myles Munroe, hosts, Dave Burrows and Mrs. Angie Burrows. Worship sessions will be led by Clinton Minnis, Minister Corey Rolle of Teen Challenge and Clinton Minnis among others. Providing music for this event will be rising local artist Ricardo Clark, Mr. Lynxx, Christian Massive, Mr. Beeds, Naje Dun, and Landlord. Youth Alive Opens on Wednesday, July 1, with a drama production entitled "Showtime" and interspersed with music artists and inspirational words by Burrows. Day and night sessions follow Thursday and Friday with special sessions for youth and youth leaders as well as pastors and parents. On Friday night, there will be a huge concert and after-party featuring all of the artists noted above. Entry is free, but special incentives and discounts are offered in the registration packages which range from $15-$85. Concert tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Youth Alive is a subsidiary of BFM headed by Munroe and is spearheaded by Burrows. Youth Alive falls under the banner of TYC (Totally Youth Church) an organization that focuses on Youth 24/7 and conducts over 20 programs impacting more than 50,000 youth each year with an annual budget of over $200,000. TYC programs include: * Friday Night Live (Friday night youth meetings). * Young Champions male mentoring program for inner city and other youth. * P31 female mentoring program for inner city and other youth. * Stagez & Super Sunday (Sunday youth only church service). * Effective Youth TV Program (positive alternative youth programming). * Strictly Positive Tour (visiting local schools and using stories of young men and women who have turned their lives around as examples along with motivational and inspirational speeches and music). They also visit Family Islands. * Operation Burn-out (an all night fun and games affair). * Christian Youth Talent Jam (national talent Competition for teens. * Love, Sex and Dating (teen event giving guidance on purity and sexuality). * Friday Nite Live and Direct (positive movies for teens). * Friday Nite Jams (special positive concerts for teens). * Christ 4 Life School Ministries impacting local schools. * Youth Ministry Leadership Training. * Missions to various islands and countries as a group and in conjunction with youth mission organizations such as Teen Mania. * Professional Youth Workshops & Seminars (leadership, conflict resolution, parents and teens). For more than a decade, the lives of thousands of teenagers around the world have been positively transformed because of this event. n For Information you may contact Youth Alive Ministries directly at 242-461-6430 youthalive@bfmmm.com, Dburrows@bfmmm.com or davyb@ coralwave.com. Thursday, June 18, 2009