And whatever you do...

There's just something about standing with 2,000 Christian young adults, singing praise songs and talking about hard things. It's quite a struggle to stand against the tide; to differ in a large crowd, especially when that crowd is impassioned and filled with such a real desire as to make a difference and lead a rebellion for an awesome, worthy King. When roused and excited by the actions of so many determined people around us, it is so very hard not to conform. When filled with the Holy Spirit and led by God's grace, it is impossible.

Such rousing and discovery is what was experienced by many a young adult in Indianapolis this past Saturday, as two young men led the fourth and last Rebelution conference of 2007. Songs were sung in unison, people were led to Christ for the first time, lives were ministered to, visions and goals were set, and desires to "do hard things" were awakened, as Alex and Brett Harris, 18, spoke on God's call for young people to accomplish great things in our culture and communities.

During the four sessions the Harris twins and their father, Gregg Harris spoke on the ways we are hindered by our culture and how we can stand out and counteract the movement of low expectations. Alex spoke on being chained to our culture; many having grown up surrounded by popular ideas that teens cannot do hard or productive things, and then not realizing that the bond holding us to those ideas is simply a ridiculous fallacy that can easily be broken away from. Brett shared about the dangerous affects of labeling, and how low expectancies from adults and our culture can be overridden by an understanding and vision of what hard things are to us as individuals; not to those around us. Gregg Harris focused on character, and challenged rebelutionaries to question our motives as we seek to use wisdom for the furthering of His kingdom.

I know I was not the only one ministered to by the experienced speaking of these three Godly men, who raised my esteem even more by their humble, God-honoring attitudes and speech. It was the kind and gracious manners that Alex and Brett displayed when I met them and through the conference that made the most impression on me. Truly great and hard accomplishments must be accompanied by a steady heart, that knows and routinely admits to the lowliness of man, and unspeakable greatness of God.

It was a pleasure for me to meet the Harris twins over the conference, as well as friends and bloggers who are leading the way in this Rebelution. I met David who writes for Regenerated Magazine, Kristin of the popular blog "Spunky Jr.", and Bethany with Regenerated Magazine. It was fun to meet other bloggers (since, as everyone knows, Nebraskans are so terribly isolated), and just a thrill to be around so many Rebelutionaries. I am very excited about 2008 as I look forward to seeing the Rebelution come to my area, and spread even further across the States.

So, what now? Is this just another Christian conference, a one day adrenaline rush before we go back to our school and routine? Witnessing the humble and true intentions of the conference and it's leaders, I can say without a doubt that it's more than that. I believe God has blessed Alex and Brett with a gift of leadership that goes hand in hand with their desire to further God's kingdom, and give Him the glory. I believe that God has worked in so many hearts already through their ministry, and placed new and lasting desires in teens. God has worked in my heart and revealed desires and goals to me through the conference, and I know that with prayer and hard work, these desires will continue to grow and produce fruit.

It may be a common misconception to watch Alex and Brett's accomplishments, and consider them to just be more talented or ambitious than God has called you and me to be. May this never be the case; but may God continue to use the Harris family as tools in His hands, as He leads and guides us in our own great, awesome, and hard callings as Rebelutionaries.

Yours truly with Alex and Brett


The Nebraska/South Dakota/Iowa carpool group with Alex, Brett and Sarah Harris, and conference volunteers


Rebelutionary maidens


Me with Kristin