04/16/2020
An important message from PennDel DYD, Lee Rogers, on 2020 National Youth Convention, Fine Arts Festival, and AIM 10.2:
So far, 2020 has been an Unconventional year. Unanticipated circumstances have presented themselves in the last month and so many changes are affecting the way we do life and think about family. We wanted to reach out to you, our youth ministry family, and share that the 2020 National Youth Convention, Fine Arts Festival, and AIM 10.2 Outreach have been canceled.
We hope you understand this decision was not an easy one to make. This is a national event with multiple variables. The decision was not made solely on health and well-being; travel and finances, district events, and other considerations were evaluated before coming to this conclusion. We totally understand that our districts and the decisions they make at the district level concerning events like camps will be made with wisdom and according to their local advisements. We realize some may be extremely disappointed about this decision, while others may be extremely relieved. Please know that we tried to make the best decision for all involved: students, parents, leaders, and churches.
Students, you are phenomenal! We couldn’t be prouder of your efforts this year in Fine Arts. Although many may be disappointed by the announcement of “no national festival,” this is a great time to focus on the heart of Fine Arts. Fine Arts is more than a stage, more than a presentation. Fine Arts is about you discovering, developing, and deploying the ministry gifts God has given to you. Your hours and hours of practice and patience have paid off. You are a better singer, player, actor, and artist than you were several months ago when you began the journey toward Columbus 2020. You can’t find the heart of Fine Arts on a calendar and it’s not based on an annual event. Now, maybe more than ever before, you have the opportunity to “let your light shine in the darkness.” Display the ministry gifts God has given to you—that you’ve been developing—to the entire world via your favorite social media platform.
Parents, youth leaders, and pastors: Thank you for your unwavering support of your students. Thank you for the countless hours you have invested in the discovering, developing, and deploying of the ministry gifts God has given to the young people you serve. We are sure you have challenged, encouraged, mentored, laughed, and cried with your students—thank you. May the Lord continue to take your efforts and add His blessing over your students.
As we look forward, past this worldwide crisis, can you imagine the incredible time we are going to have next year as we gather together again in Orlando, Florida? What a celebration it will be! Until then, may the Lord bless your efforts to discover, develop, and deploy the ministry gifts He has given to students across the United States. Our prayer is that God will provide you and your families health, strength, wisdom, and peace as you move forward in His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
