Inside the Mission

BEHOLDING

National Convention 2023

At the end of May each year, TeenPact’s National Convention brings alumni and leaders from across the country to focus on building our relationship with God and each other. National Convention 2023 had the highest attendance ever, with 873 teens, 148 chaperones, plus 83 additional leaders-more than 1,100 attendees! 

Spiritual Growth
National Convention provides focused time on building attendees’ relationship with God and equipping them to make a difference in their communities and world. Below, teens share how thier experience at this year’s National Convention impacted them spiritually.

• I’ve been influenced to change the trajectory of my life from this event. I have a desire to stand up for my faith in Christ.
• This week was so impactful. I have decided to fully give my life to the Lord and call Him my Savior. This week really made me realize that I need God in my life to fulfill my needs and someone to talk to when I need guidance in my life. God is so glorious and I’m thrilled that I have been exposed to this as it’s going to impact my life and many others forever.
• National Convention has helped me grow closer to the Lord and build healthy habits in my daily routine.
• I have grown in Christ and myself to a degree no other camps have come close to ever before.

Read 20+ more testimonials on the Blog here. 

• National Convention has done wonders for my walk with Jesus Christ. If it was not for last year, I would not have genuinely given my life to Christ. This year reconfirmed everything that I was looking for, and I am so grateful for this event as well as Teen Pact.
• It’s been a life-changing experience. I have grown in my faith.
• I feel much closer to God and I have a great desire to stay in His Word and allow Jesus to take a greater portion of me.
• This was my third year attending National Convention. Every year, I learn more about God and about myself. This year, I had an encounter with God during a worship session, and He started healing some parts of my heart that were struggling. It was really eye opening, and furthered my relationship with the Lord.
• It inspired me to find my purpose.
• It revived my desire to continue following God. Opened my eyes to some beliefs I didn’t know I had, and reminded me of his unending love for me. Thank you.
• NatCon has consistently been the best week of my year for years. It is some of the best memories of my life and has truly strengthened my relationship with Christ.
• It gave me answers on questions I’ve been asking for quite some time.
• National Convention has challenged and encouraged me in my faith and grown me as a leader.
• It made me feel stronger in Christ and inspired me to read the Bible more and pray and spread the Word.
• NatCon has encouraged me to worship God even when I don’t feel like it. It has shown me that God is greater than any fleshly desire and to behold God is to know Him and walk with Him and pursue Him above all else. To behold is not just to see.
• It helped to strengthen my faith.
• National Convention has led me closer to Christ and emboldened my faith in Him.
• In some ways, this National Convention was the culmination of an intense season in my life – a season full of fears about assurance, times of anxiety and near despair, and the Lord’s gracious hand guiding me the whole way. I am still a relatively young believer, and I’ve still got lots to learn. But thanks to some different influences in the past semester, culminating in NatCon ‘23, the Lord has been laying some of the most foundational truths of my entire existence. I exist from God and through God and to God. I exist to glorify Him. I exist to glorify Him by beholding Him in His magnificence and enjoying Him forever. If I look to myself, I will find nothing but death. When I behold Christ, fixing my gaze on Him, He will keep me safe no matter what may come. Thank you so much for hosting NatCon ‘23 and providing such a wonderful capstone to such a foundational season in my life. Soli Deo Gloria!
• It gives me hope.
• National Convention has impacted in so many ways. Every year I come into NatCon seeking community, and every year I come out of NatCon with a deeper relationship with my Father and King. Every time I am amazed at the depth of attention to detail, the Christ-like community that is built, and the atmosphere that is ready for the Lord to move.
• It has been such an amazing week of community, worship, and great sessions! I have been so blessed attending this event and will definitely be back!! This week I have learned how to seek the Lord in new ways and feel that I am going home more equipped to pursue the Father in my everyday life.
• It has truly changed me in my marathon to Christ.
• I have grown in my understanding of what a relationship with Christ should look like and become more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone.
• I grew exponentially in my faith. I feel much closer to God.
• Coming to National Convention has helped me realize that one way we glorify God is to be the way He made us. That is something I have known but have not really understood before coming to NatCon. It has always brought me to realize I have not fully surrendered my life to the Lord and it is my prayer that as I go home I would strive to live fully for Him. It has shown me a community that is possible because of Christ, and displayed how beautiful Christ-centered relationships are.
• NatCon provided another breakthrough in my faith.
• NC has brought me back closer to my faith and strengthened my faith in God! The opportunities to serve others has grown me and opened my eyes to be looking for areas to serve!
• It has impacted me in so many ways. Most importantly I have grown closer in my walk with the Lord and refocused on Him.
• One point that really stood out to me was “you can change the world anonymously.” I have been struggling with pride recently, so I’m trying to remind myself that people don’t have to know my name or what I can do. They just need to see Jesus. I’m also asking the Lord to give me a humble heart. 
• This year was my third time at National Convention. Although by the end of the week I am exhausted, my experience at NatCon in a way wakes me up. Because of their social media policy and rules on listening to music/watching movies or shows as well as their God-honoring dress code, I am able to take the values TeenPact prayerfully sets in place home with me. When I get home, I realize that some books, TV shows, and social media apps were holding me back from diligently serving the Lord. TeenPact as a ministry has really helped me to filter out all the worldly things I invest too much time in.

THEME

Every year, a theme is prayerfully chosen for all who attend to contemplate the Lord and His Word more deeply. This year’s theme, Beholding, encouraged teens and adults alike to consider what they regularly gaze upon: “What you look at shapes who you are. Maybe what you’re looking at disappoints you or is draining, full of comparison and busyness.. Perhaps what you are beholding hasn’t produced the kind of joy and life you long for. Pick up your head and look to the only One who is worthy of beholding.”

• The theme of beholding was very impactful on me. It put a name onto what I am called to do, the speakers, Bonjours, conversations etc. really developed a tangible understanding of what I am called to do at all times, which is to behold all aspects of God.
• The theme this year was very impactful to me and really helped me to focus my gaze on Christ after going through a rough year.
• The speakers this year gave so many great points and a lot to think about. 
• I’ve been very impacted by the worship as well as the speakers. And the theme, little did I know but this theme was exactly what I needed in my spiritual walk right now. I felt like bonjour and some of the speakers were talking directly to me.
• Between the messages and great people that I’ve met, this experience has equipped me not only with great tools and verses to live a godly life when I return home, but also with a community with whom I can continue to foster this atmosphere of vulnerability and worship even when I leave.

Building Social Skills and Christ-centered Community

This week is not only designed to foster an increasing relationship with Christ, but to provide a myriad of opportunities to connect and deepen relationships with others. Teens frequently report that TeenPact experiences help them become more confident in their social skills, allowing them to have a greater impact in their personal and professional lives.

• When I showed up to NatCon two years ago, the thought of walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation was absolutely absurd to me. This week was truly such a highlight for me!! The incredible speakers, amazing worship, and encouraging community is like no other. This week could not have been better! I truly couldn’t decide what my favorite aspect of the week was. NatCon is so unique and I can’t wait for next year!
• I have personally been changed in my walk with God and my confidence in making friends.
• It has encouraged me to make new friendships. It has taught me how to invite and welcome people in with a kind of love that Jesus shows us. I could talk for days about the impact NatCon has had on me. I am so grateful for all the works the Lord has done in my friends and I’s hearts during the time I’ve been at NatCon. The biggest way NatCon has impacted me is the way that God is glorified and given all the honor all throughout the week without fail. It encourages me to give all glory to God in all things.
• NATCON has been a great place for me to grow in my interpersonal relationship skills and to refocus on Christ. Additionally, it has also been a great place of fellowship unlike almost any other event I have gone to.
• National Convention has helped me grow in my faith, relationships, and communication skills.
• It encouraged me to step out of my social comfort zone.  I was deeply invested in spiritually, through genuine worship, small groups, etc.; I met plenty of awesome people whom I can see as lifelong friends.
• Because of the amount of people there, it has really taught me to be a lot more comfortable talking with people I don’t know. I also love how much we are getting poured into the entire week, and how we are surrounded by the Word, and worship, and people who love Jesus so much. I always leave with my faith rejuvenated, and my awe of God increased. One of my favorite parts is that people are so willing to pour into you, and pray for you, and talk to you, encourage you. All the staff members are so welcoming and loving. I really enjoy getting to meet so many new people, and making bonds that will last a lifetime.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THESE TEENS!
“What an amazing week that was blessed by God in so many wonderful ways. God answered many prayers throughout the week, changed lives for eternity, and equipped lives for the future. We are so grateful for the blessings that He gave us. Thank you to all who have faithfully prayed and given so that this impact was possible.” 

With Gratitude and Blessings,

Peter Martin, CEO