revive 2011.

what words can i say? when something is so amazing that it is indescribable, you know that God has something to do with it. everything about this past week was completely God organized, orchestrated, and ordained. He has a mysterious and brilliant way of bringing people together and touching the hearts and lives of so many people in a moment of worship or just in a moment of kindness. for 10 years, camp has been my new year. every single june, my life turns, changes, refreshes, and i leave blue lake with a new adventure or idea set in my heart. even at the age of 23... God has renewed my spirit.

revive is not a place you come to: it's a place you leave from. a key point, when first beginning to understand revive as a movement. since i can remember, there has been a huge group of young people, adults, and parents pouring into my life... pouring into my giftings... truly guiding my footsteps. i have never been without support, even when every other support system seemed to be lacking. God provided me with a family. my revive family. i will never forget the friends, the laughs, the heartache, and the adventures that we all share with each other. i have never met such an amazing group of people, and i've journeyed far and wide. no words can express my gratitude for how much each individual person has done for me. everyone is special and near and dear to my heart, whether they realize it or not! i wouldn't be where i am today without them...

revive is about raising up leaders. it's about pushing youth to strive for their dreams, and believe in a God that can make the impossible happen. revive is about sending out. we have to let go of the control. let our guards down. surrender. let God completely encompass and direct. revive is about development. youth will stand on a dream to be a pastor, a worship leader, a doctor, a teacher, the next president, a soccer player... and we will stand with them, and simply point their gaze upwards. to the cross. to the heavens. to the God of the universe that knows every hair on their head by name. the God of the universe that created them each so uniquely and beautifully. we seek to reveal this truth to the next generation. we are vessels. we need only empty ourselves of pride and plans and let God inspire.

leadership is influence. God is Influence. everyone is a leader in our faith. you need only to shine a light in a dark place. lead people to that flame... that fire... ignite a desire in the hearts of those around you... elevated on that hill, you are not easily hidden. you are a ray of sun, midday... though some can escape your light at times, they never escape your warmth. keep loving, even when a relationship or situation feels hopeless. the shadows and shade will come, of course they will, but they pass with a new day, a new hour. we desire, as the revive staff to empower youth to believe in a greater God, and then to believe in the dreams He's given them. faith, it's the foundation and our mission.

i will leave you with my favorite moment from camp... we have focus groups one hour everyday. this year we spilt the groups up based off of age and gender. i got a girls high school group. the last day, there was not a dry eye in the room. we barely spoke a word of the prepared material, and just poured out our heart and souls to each other. some girls shared things they had never shared with anyone before. God had opened hearts... he opened minds... and now he was opening the flood gates. my heart broke. these girls have so much stuffed down in their adolescent minds and lives. it's not fair. the baggage they carry isn't even theirs: it's from parents or situations or boys. in their moment of vulnerability, God tugged my heart. the entire week, i had been preaching to these girls things that i wasn't even practicing. i began to admit my fault, and share about my own life. freedom. we became a family. a circle of sisters. that bond will never be broken. what a cool moment. thank the Lord for His goodness, and His knowledge and discernment despite me. i will never forget that special group of girls. and the world won't know what hit them as they start to venture out! God has some amazing plans for each and every one of those beautiful girls and their glorious stories!

God always shows up... every year. no matter the struggles or circumstances, He does it. thank you revive... the place, the people, the family, the love. i wouldn't be who i am today without you. this past week has been a complete confirmation of my month in the states. God always had a plan... despite me, He moves.

come to revive 2012. you won't regret it.

love,

kristen