Fishfest 2017

Wait…Did you just say Transparent Productions is offering us a space to have a YoungLives booth at Fishfest at the Honda Center? Whaaattttt???? Within days, the offer became even bigger – they wanted to show a teen testimonial video AND to allow Myrna to share on the main stage for a couple of minutes about YoungLives. ONLY GOD. Psalm 90:17 has always been my verse for my volunteering time with YoungLives “May the favor of the Lord rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us.” And again, I saw Him showing favor on the ministry and preparing us for what He has next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instantly we knew this was a big opportunity to share the mission of YoungLives with a much broader audience. Not just for North OC YoungLives but for Young Life – the national organization. We wanted people to visit the booth, to hear more, to be interested in the mission, to be informed on the needs, to understand how passionate we feel about this group of teens being mentored, loved on, and ultimately reached for Christ.

 

Sue and I had the privilege of getting to do the booth set up. We watched the Transparent Production (shout out to these guys and gals – they are AMAZING) team bring the Honda Center to life – from a quiet, large space to a bustling, light filled, music playing, Jesus worshipping celebration! We filled our booth with a prize wheel, cool little winnings, and lots of informational handouts about YoungLives as an organization and our local upcoming events.

After Mac Powell finished his set, the lights dimmed and then the video of Crystal’s testimony popped up on the jumbo tron screens. It was really powerful. Then the spotlight was on Myrna as she came on stage in front of a sold out crowd of 15,800 people and shared about YoungLives and Young Life. She shared articulately, passionately and professionally about the organization. It was super cool and those of us that were there were sooooooo proud of her!

 

The entire afternoon was active at our booth but after Myrna shared, it became insane! The wheel got spun hundreds of times, prizes were won, information handed out, Danny Gokey concert tickets sold (for his concert benefiting YoungLives!), and the conversations…So many powerful conversations. Standing back and watching the crew of volunteers that were there sharing their gifts was a definite highlight of the evening for me. Myrna making connections and getting peoples contact info, Chick calling out to people to spin the wheel and encouraging each one that spun in some way, Kim & Jim selling Danny Gokey tickets and promoting all the upcoming YL events, Adrienne on her feet assisting everyone in every which way, Tony was also a prize wheel master helping each person to walk away happy with their prize, Mike sharing about the upcoming Golf Tournament fundraiser with anyone wearing a polo shirt (his clue that they may be a golfer – haha!), Abby & Michael unable to be contained by a booth with their evangelical gifting were out in the midst of the crowd stopping folks to tell them about the ministry, Danny & Laurie spending time listening to peoples stories and sharing their passion for YL. 

Once again watching His people, I was reminded that the Lord “establishes the work of our hands for us.”

• Colleen Drew