SENATORS:
Christian Brazell (TX
Hannah Funk (GA)
Josiah Showman (OK)
Benjamin Sullivan (FL)

REPRESENTATIVES:
Rachel Blunk (MO)
Christian Heritage (GA)
Sarah Hill (AL)
Isaac Moore (IN)
Will Payne (GA)
Rachel Seldenrust (OK)
Brenden Smith (OK)
Madelyn Sullivan (FL)
Lake Williams (MS)

• Kal Busker & Anna Heritage (Perseverance Party)
• McBryde Campbell & Christian Edmonds (Compassion Party)
• Andrew Seldenrust & Abby Swain (Vision Party)

Watch the General Election results and commercials tonight at www.teenpact.com/live

Follow us on twitter for instant election results: @teenpact

Wednesday’s color was white and theme was purity— “The freedom from guilt or evil, which is only secured through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Thursday’s color was green and theme was growth, community— “The process of developing mentally, emotionally and spiritually in the context of community”

Theses days were full of provoking speakers, memorable times with friends, intense Frisbee games, and entertaining shows. God is meeting us.

Starring Brady Clayton and Carolyn Smith, the Morning Show, “How Bill Became and In-law,” kicked off with rolling laughter and entertaining wit.

Tuesday’s color was orange and theme was worthy ambition— the desire to achieve some great goal, typically one deemed useful by many others.

“Let us not have vain ambition, but worthy ambition,” Peter Martin said.

After a moving time of worship, declaring from our hearts to give all glory to God, bless Him, and seek His face, Tori Watson shared powerful truths God has shown her in her journey to become a professional photographer.

“Make choices not out of fear but out of faith,” she said. “Don’t think about how scary something is. God is with you, every step of the way. The voice of God is always more powerful than the voice of fear.”

Randy Sims, the executive director of Worldview Academy, was the main speaker for the morning.

“Each of us has a brand. The awesome thing is that we get to choose our brand. What is yours? Are you representing God’s kingdom?” He asked the students if they are imitators for Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) or if they cause people to blaspheme God because of them (Romans 2:24).

Students broke out into small groups after that to discuss what Randy Sims had talked about, and then headed to lunch.

The afternoon session opened with the afternoon update, “Rumor Busters,” starring Ben Edmonds and Michael Wagner who analyzed the rumor of the Loch Ness Monster being in the Fort Bluff Lake. After photographic evidence by show guest, Joe Radcliffe, Ben was sold and Michael was skeptical. Conclusion? “Plausable.”

Venture and Endeavor were the promoted alumni events for the day and students shared how they had been impacted by attending. Bryan College was our day sponsor and has been very supportive of TeenPact over the years. We are grateful for them and their partnership.

After this, students were dismissed to their party caucuses to discuss and pass their party resolutions addressing the topic of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles. (read resolutions at www.teenpact.com/elecitons/party-platforms)

The Compassion Party of about 100 had a lot of action and passed some amendments. The Perseverance party of about 150 seemed pretty unified in their support and passage of their resolution. The Vision party of about 300 passed their resolution after a couple failed amendments. According to Samantha Roose, a Vision participant, “We didn’t necessarily reach a unified decision, but we did agree that drones are very useful and should be allowed for providing security and protection.”

During Free Time, a thundering rainstorm postponed the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, but as an NC participant, Abi Reeves said, “I am so blessed to be among a group of people who embrace change and the unexpected and the spontaneous. There is always a 100% chance of a good time at TeenPact, no matter what the weather.”

With a buzzing election hall due to the rain, Anderson Underwood noted how attendees are having a hard time deciding who to vote for. “The candidates aren’t just solid, but many of them are also close friends with similar friend groups.”

Dinner is always full of memorable times like reconnecting with old friends and others getting ukele lessons in line.

Evening session began with a time of worship. As NC participant Savannah Holmes shared, “TeenPacters seemed not to be singing the words with their mouth but their heart.”

Aaron Watson gave a powerful session about how the Christian life is about submission and serious commitment.

“Unless you are 120% sold out for God, wanting to be transformed and not conformed, then you’ve created a dangerous foothold for the devil. Has your relationship with God changed your life?”

He went on to share how easy it is to say you’ll be steadfast when you have not been tested. “Are you committed, 120% sold out for God? When trials come, will you be ready? Will you waiver or stand?”

The evening wrapped up with tea lights, live music, great snacks, and memorable fellowship at what students said was one of the best NC coffeehouses they’d ever experienced. In Melika Willoughby’s own words, “This place is so beautiful. I’d dream of having a wedding reception like this!”

Another great day!

Tune in to the livestream: www.teenpact.com/nc-live
Follow us on Twitter: @teenpact

National Convention 2013 has begun!

“Look for purpose this week. There is a reason you are here,” Blake Redwine said , the MC for the week.

The CEO of TeenPact, Peter Martin, explained that the gym we are meeting in is not in fact a gym, but is instead set up as a chapel. “This is a place for God to meet us. A place to worship, to pray, to glorify God’s name.”

The TeenPact vision – changing lives to change the world – has always been about helping students discover their passions, understand their spiritual capacity and put feet on their faith. The mission of National Convention is to help students grow in their relationship with God and equip them for God’s calling on their lives.

As Lydia Shanks, the Program Director, shared,

“All our work is not worth it if you are not here and if God doesn’t meet us. Do you believe that? So ask for God to meet you. He wants to meet you where you are. NC is just a vehicle for that. Dedicate this week to the Lord.”

This year, the daily themes are the meanings and symbolism of colors. The theme of Monday was black— devotion. In Lydia’s own words,

“Black is the context of all other colors, so in the same way, a relationship with Christ is the context of life. Ground yourself in a relationship with the Lord. Seek first His kingdom. It starts with your relationship with Christ as a context and backdrop to all we do. It will change your life and empower you to change the world.”

After a powerful time of worship focusing on giving all glory to God, surrendering all, and making Christ our cornerstone, last year’s NC 2012 elected officials lined up on stage and welcomed TeenPact’s President, Danny Sullivan, and Vice President, Stevie Leifheit.

Stevie shared how thankful he was for the opportunity to put their campaign message of last year into action and “chase lions and live fearlessly.” He then challenged the attendees to live a life of fearless love and to share Christ.

Danny started by sharing about TeenPact’s leap-of-faith history and how God has blessed the ministry.

“In 1994 TeenPact was in one state, we held one class and we had 18 students. This year, in 2013 TeenPact is in 39 states, we held 49 classes and had 2,659 students.”

He touched on highlights of the state class season and how God is moving.

“While we do teach and promote citizen involvement in government and politics we intentionally communicate to each class the love and knowledge of the only thing that will change a life and a world. And that is the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Our heart is to see changed hearts across this country, hearts and souls that want to glorify their maker in whatever field, career or path The Lord takes them. That’s where our treasure can be found. Where our motivation can be found and what we boast in as an organization.”

Danny closed with a challenge to keep the perspective that “all I have is Christ, Jesus is my life.”

The evening wrapped up with small groups, conference orientation, and split sessions for the guys and girls.

It was a great first day.

Tune in to the livestream: www.teenpact.com/live
Follow us on Twitter: @teenpact

We find ourselves surrounded by chalkboard paint and out bursts of “White Christmas” in four-part harmony. Staffers stand on the stage, looking like Christmas trees with light bulbs hanging from their necks waiting to be set up. A stage size canvas with a choppy red sea of paint leans in the corner with the shadows of the sound guys setting up the state lights.

We are so excited for this coming week and praying in anticipation for all the ways that God will meet us. We will boast in the Lord.

Tune in to the livestream: www.teenpact.com/nc-live
Follow us on Twitter: @teenpact
Follow NC on the TeenPact Blog: teenpact.com/blog

Today’s theme was GO! And Do Likewise. The theme was taken from Luke 10:25-37, the story of the good Samaritan. As Christians when we are called to do the work of God, we must not only GO, but we must go as Jesus did. What is the most important commandment in the bible? In Matthew 22, it states the the greatest commandment is to love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves. If we merely go, forsaking love, our work is in vain. We must go and do as Jesus did. We must love.

Today has had a great impact upon everyone here. The worship was incredible. Our speaker, Mr Tommy Carrington was excellent. He spoke on what it means to love God and how that looks like. Lives have been impacted greatly. This morning we held the ceremony for the Jimmy Brazell Community Impact Essay Contest. The result was an astounding essay on the way Jimmy Brazell had impacted so many people, those he knew, and even those he had never met. Through his example, we are able to achieve a better picture of what it means to truly love others.

I’ll end this post with a message of encouragement from a student here at NC:

My friend begged me to go. I liked politics – kind of…then, homework! After my first class was over I had had fun but didn’t really think I’d go back. But I did – my mom wanted me to. That second year I also attended NC. It fascinated me that so many kids were so passionate about Christ, but I didn’t really know anyone, and I was lonely in that huge crowd! I felt like God had brought me to NC in ’09 just to leave me hanging. He didn’t. He never does. After spending an afternoon in conversation with Lauren Smith, I decided TeenPact wasn’t that bad after all. All through this time, I was working on overcoming my giant fear of speaking to people. I went back for a THIRD state class, and I couldn’t believe how much God could change me! I went from avoiding people and politics to enjoying getting to know others and growing closer to Jesus. God has used TeenPact in my life to help me overcome, grow, and know him more fully. I’m still a work in progress (aren’t we all!), but TeenPact is an experience that does more than politics and will change your life.

-Sierra, Indiana

May this blog be an encouragement to your dear TeenPact. You take care folks!

Jeremiah Lee

Greetings from National Convention!

Today was a fabulous day! Our theme for today was GO! Somewhere. Meaning that as Christians, we are not called to sit idle, but go do the work that Christ has set before us. Our hope is that we can motivate each other to totally upset the standards that our culture has set upon us; and that as young people we can make a difference.

Going off of this theme, we did something new this year at N.C. called Path Groups. We basically split up the student body according to the different occupational paths that we had planned out before hand. For instance, there were path groups on business, law, medicine, ministries, and so on. We were able to discuss practical steps to aid us in pursuing these different fields, and then engage in conversation and encouragement of each other as we travel our various paths. Later on this week we’ll regroup with our Path Groups and engage in prayer for our culture and world in those specific areas. I hope you will join us as we pray for our nation and fellow Christians.

Overall, I’d say today was a great success! From our speaker, Matt Chambers, to our Ultimate Frisbee tournament, we were able to glorify God with our all. It’s such an encouragement to be around 500 some odd followers of Christ. I am blessed to be able to relate all this to y’all. I hope you will be encouraged as I have. I urge you to join with us here at National Convention in spirit and in prayer.

May these words bless you all my friends,

Jeremiah Lee

Today was a fabulous day! Everything from the morning show, Learning With Harry & Larry, to our speaker, Mr. Justin Neal, made it out to be an unforgettable. Today’s theme was GO! In Faith. The whole concept is that as Christians we are supposed to rely on God for our strength and support and not on our own ability. That through our faith in Christ we will have the power to move mountains. And while some may have great abilities, the point is not how great we are, but how great God’s gift to us is. And for those of us that only see our disabilities, we can overcome them in our faith that God will use our weaknesses as his strength. So GO in faith!

From

God has used TeenPact to bless me in so many ways. Not only was it the method by which he showed me my future in Politics; but he has used it to fill me with a passionate drive for Him. Through TeenPact I have made friend that  I know I will stay close to even if they live hundreds of mile away. And through them I have also gained a ciricle of prayer warriors. I know that God will continue to bless TeenPact as long as they continue to keep HIM the center of all they do.

- Meredith Wilkes

I hope y’all have had a fantastic day! I’ll be back tomorrow with more updates on the week and more students testimonies!

So long!

Jeremiah Lee