FUEL Is More than a Conference; It’s a Movement

Published: 9/26/2012 6:59:23 PM

From: TriStateVoice

By Kevin Howell

Have you ever been to an event that was so good, you didn’t want to leave? We’ve all had those experiences, whether attending a concert of your favorite band, a playoff game of your favorite team, or catching a great Broadway show. If you’re like me, included on that list of memorable events are various conferences. In most cases, those events had an impact on your life, and in rare instances, even changed your life.

Even though I’ve experienced life-changing moments at various meetings and events, I realize something greater is needed. Something that just doesn’t change lives, but something that changes history. A movement is starting, right here in our region. It’s a movement of passion, purpose, and unity. It’s something that can’t be confined to a single conference, church, ministry, or location. It’s a movement of young people hungry to see their lives transformed, and in turn, transform their generation. The movement is the Fuel Student Conference.

Held October 5-7 at Faith Fellowship Ministries inSayreville,NJ, Fuel is a gathering of youth, young adults, youth pastors, and leaders seeking to ignite passion in their generation. But don’t let the name fool you. It’s so much more than a three-day conference. It’s a growing movement.

Movements are sparked when people are fed up with the way things are. The Civil Rights Movement started because African-Americans were fed up with racial oppression in the South. The movement to rebuild the walls ofJerusalemstarted because Nehemiah was fed up with the Israelites’ captivity inBabylon. David started a movement because he was fed up with Philistines defying his God. Today, young believers are fed up with seeing their generation waste their lives, living without purpose. They are tired of seeing their peers trapped in a web of depression, fear, sexual perversion, pride, and selfishness. They are ready for a movement.

A movement is also about unity. David defeated Goliath, but it took his army of mighty men to conquer the Philistines. Nehemiah couldn’t rebuild the walls ofJerusalemby himself, and the Civil Rights Movement was more than Martin Luther King, Jr. It took a coordinated effort of many individuals and organizations to topple segregation. Likewise, Fuel isn’t just about one church or ministry. It is made up of leaders and ministries fromNew Jerseyand the five NYC boroughs working together to train, equip, encourage, and impact youth, young adults, and leaders of this generation. One church can’t change the Tri-State Area. One conference can’t rescue a generation from the traps of sin that permeate our culture. But people of God united can make history.

Movements change history because they are fueled by relentless passion. A movement doesn’t stop until change occurs. It doesn’t stop until the goal is met. The problem with many people today is that they give up too soon. They burn out and don’t persist. The purpose of Fuel is to keep students, leaders, and ministries filled with passion, so they aren’t running on fumes. Fuel Student Conference is just the gathering where we all get filled up, but we know the real work begins when each student and leader returns to his/her campus, community, work place, and ministry. Fuel doesn’t end with the conference. Throughout the year, we host fellowships for youth pastors and leadership training to ensure that every leader, ministry, and student is staying fueled up.

This year, we have an incredible conference planned. Last year, we saw more than 2,000 students and leaders attend. This year, our theme is “Even Greater.” We’re expecting God to do even greater things, not just at the conference, but in the soul of every person who attends. That way, the conference isn’t just another memorable event, but a movement you carry in your heart so you can help change history. Hope to see you there, October 5-7. Be the movement.

Kevin Howell is a youth leader at Faith Fellowship Ministries. Fuel Student Conference speakers and guests include Pastor David Demola, Jacob and Tara Burgei, John Gray, Tim Ross, Jeremy Johnson, Worth Dying For, Canton Jones, Icon For Hire, Richie Righteous, and Djynot? To register or for more information, visit www.fuelconf.com or call (732) 727-9500, ext.1912; Email: fuelconf@ffmwoc.org.