November 2009 article in the PAOC Testimony Magazine by Andrew Victor

“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NETBible).

Today, young people feel overwhelming pain. They believe that their only hope is to find an escape. Many struggle in those turbulent adolescent years trying to figure out where faith fits into everyday life. However, God has a successful future for each young person, but it starts with His thoughts and plans. As the church, our desire is to see young people fascinated with God. We want to see them develop relationships with Him – this is why we host Firestarters youth conference.

Firestarters is an annual five-day youth conference during spring break in Chilliwack, BC. It is geared for youth aged 12 to 19. Our vision is four-fold: to bring young people together to encounter God, to encourage and equip them to live godly lives, to light a fire of passion for Jesus Christ within their hearts, and to commission them to spread the fire everywhere they go.

My parents, Gary and Patti Victor, pastors of Chilliwack Native Pentecostal Church, started Firestarters youth conference in 1998. The church was only two years old, and they had no youth when God gave them a vision and plan for Firestarters. In 2002, Melanie and I joined the pastoral team and have been involved with Firestarters ever since. I have been involved with preaching, teaching and multimedia, while Melanie has served as the teaching, worship team and activities coordinator. Gary and Patti have continued to be involved with the preaching, teaching and testimonies.

Over the past 12 years, we’ve seen a diverse group of young people in attendance from all over BC. Aboriginal youth who live on reserve and off reserve have come – young people who have grown up in church, along with others who only attend special church events. For some, this has been their first encounter with God.

The attendance numbers have not been outstanding, but God’s presence and touch is always amazing. Young people have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Young people have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Young people are being reconciled with one another. Young people are hearing God’s voice. Young people are being called and released into ministry.

Sometimes youth come to Firestarters and then get lonely for home and their familiar surroundings, but there is no denying that God has a purpose and desire to touch each youth who comes. One girl saw a recording of her two older brothers crying and hugging their enemies at a Firestarters conference several years earlier. She felt compelled to come and find out what it was that had softened the hearts of these tough young men. God touched her life at Firestarters as well, and He is continuing to radically transform her.

The morning workshops focus on biblical foundations and answering tough questions. In the past few years we’ve taught on topics like: how to hear God’s voice, spiritual warfare, making wise choices, biblical worldview, emotional balance and healthy relationships. The afternoons are filled with group activities, such as sports and swimming at the wave pool. The evening rallies include lots of energetic worship, testimonies, and preaching from the Word of God. We encourage teens to come with a youth group, so that Firestarters can fit into their discipleship program.

One afternoon, instead of sports and activities, we do a service project. We’ve had young people volunteer at a Christian thrift store, hand out free hot chocolate in town, and cook a meal for the needy. However, the most popular service project is ministering at a seniors’ home. Throughout the week, crafts are available to make as gifts to give to the elders, which is a great opening for interaction together. Through these service projects, eyes and hearts are opened. One young man shared how his eyes were opened to see people rather than the stereotypes.

On the last night of Firestarters, the youth are commissioned and released to spread the fire and go light their world for Jesus Christ. We pray for transformation in each community represented there. Throughout the year, we try to stay in touch with the youth who come and encourage them in the things that God has called them to do – to make a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

This is our next generation theology. The Holy Spirit does not grow with one’s maturity and development. Children and young people do not have a junior Holy Spirit. They receive the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

Our hope for the next generation is that it will be a brave generation. We pray that young people will not be afraid and consumed with what everyone else is going to think. Brave people will deal with the obstacles in their lives. Brave people will trust God to heal their brokenness and find their value in being a child of the King. Brave people will get compassionately involved in God’s kingdom. Brave people will commit themselves to the truth of God’s Word. God is looking for a generation that is going to rise up and be brave.

In 2009, we opened the invitation for non-Aboriginal youth to attend Firestarters. As Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth connect, there is opportunity to learn from one another and grow together. In Christ we are all reconciled as one body.