For many years, right around Super Bowl weekend, Parkwood has lead in a student gathering for churches across greater Gaston County to bring their youth groups, large and small, to hear the Gospel presented, to worship the Lord, and to make lasting friendships with their peers and discipling relationships with their small group leaders.
This year, over 30 different local churches will come to the main sessions at two locations; Parkwood and Bethlehem. Parkwood will have over 100 volunteers to serve the 200 students affiliated with Parkwood and the thousand affiliated with other churches. We see this as a great way to galvanize with other youth and student workers out of obedience to God. Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11). Paul wrote, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). Coming together for the gospel is a must, as that furthers His glory among the world.
Titus 2:1 says, “Teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Paul tells the Ephesians in Acts 20:27, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” The truth of God’s Word will be proclaimed in 3 different settings throughout the weekend: large group at Parkwood, small groups in homes (Acts 20:20), and throughout the day (Deuteronomy 6:7). Parkwood hosts 3 large group gatherings that are structured like our Sunday morning services. From what is faithfully taught there, the small groups then return to their host homes to discuss the Bible deeper with their leaders. The third way the Bible is taught is through one-on-one conversations. Small group leaders are trained to leverage regular conversations into gospel conversations.
All of this requires laboring together. Obedience in hospitality is needed as people open up their homes to students for an entire weekend. This is sure for our host homes: the gospel will be on display as they treasure students hearing the gospel in their homes. People will be driving small groups to and from services and activities. Students notice the sacrifice these adults make. An army of Young Adults will give up a weekend of study or sleep to teach students the Bible and disciple them informally. These leaders will have the most significant impact on the lives of these students. We pray that “each part [of the body of Christ] is working properly, [making] the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16) to the glory of God.
We go through all this work for 180 Weekend for 5 reasons: We want to equip our students for life and godliness; display gospel faithfulness on every level; 180 Weekend is ministry development; 180 Weekend is leadership development; and 180 Weekend is fun for students and those who make it happen. In the context of camp, these 5 principles are expanded in Why We Do Summer Camp.
This year the theme of 180 Weekend is Sent. Three distinct aspects of Sent will be discussed with the students:
- The Gospel: How are we Sent and what are we Sent with?
- Making Disciples Where We Are: What does it look like to live a Sent life right now?
- Going with the Gospel: What am I doing to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth?
Our primary prayer is that hearing God’s purpose for people’s lives would cause students for the first time to trust in the Lord God for salvation. The second prayer is that God would specifically call out many of our young ones for His purposes around the globe. Here is a more in depth prayer guide for 180 Weekend, February 3-5, 2017. Join us this Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 6:30 pm for a night of prayer and fasting for this significant and purpose-filled event.
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