Ignite

I spend lots of my time focusing on equipping and training women to use their voices for the Kingdom of God in my job at Allume.  It’s a privilege to see women steward their resources and abilities to share the message of Jesus.  But primarily, Allume rounds up a group of women ranging in ages from about 25-60.  Not to say that there aren’t younger voices present, but it’s just not the bulk of what I’m dealing in on a daily basis.

So when one of our all-time favorite babysitters, Chloe, told me recently what she was doing at her high school, I just wanted to give nod to the next generation who are setting the world on fire for Jesus too.

And you know what, I just think it’s worth celebrating what one young woman I love is doing!

I think it’s worth sharing about this in Chloe’s own words.

Ignite began as a dream I had over the summer, which at the time I thought was unattainable. However, God has shown me that through Him all things are possible. I have known this from childhood, but to see Him actually apply this elementary teaching in such a huge way in my life renders me speechless.

I am a Co-President of Solid Rock, a small Christian organization at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, SC. We meet on Friday mornings to worship, pray, and hear teachings from local youth pastors. I’m not sure how to express this in so many words, but the atmosphere of Hillcrest is dark. Our goal is to change that, but with a force of so few it feels impossible. That’s where the dream comes in. I dreamt that we could host the original founder of Solid Rock, Clayton King, in our school in an event that would bring Christians and non-Christians together and serve as the impetus behind a radical culture change in our school.

Fast forward a few months, and I was babysitting for a pastor in the area. He inquired after Solid Rock and I told him about my dream as a wish that would be great but not reachable. To my surprise, he brought out his cell phone and insisted that I call Clayton and ask him himself. Mr. King immediately responded to me with an emphatic “yes.” That “yes” was echoed by my friends, my teachers, my principal, my church, other churches, and people I had never met before, when I began to share what was going to

Today, there is an Ignite team of youth pastors and student leaders that meet together to plan our event. So far thirty churches around Upstate SC have pledged support. Ignite will take place on May 18 at 6 pm at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, SC. We will have bands, iPad giveaways, t-shirts, anything that will make this event exciting for people in attendance.

Our goal for this event is to see thousands attend and hundreds receive Christ. We have a capacity for 5,000 on one side of our football stadium. Through this event, I want to change our school. I want to change our city and I want to change the lives of the broken people that I see every day in the hallway. However, making a one-time decision is not enough. We speak the name “Ignite” as a projection of how this will affect the lives of the students attending, but we also know that fire has the tendency to die out. This is where the local church comes in. After decisions are made, we will have the students fill out decision cards, and distribute the cards among the churches that are closest to the particular student. It will then be up to that youth group to provide a welcoming

Although I know that God will ultimately provide, hosting Clayton King and bands and iPads and t-shirts and promotions has proven somewhat costly. We are looking at over $5,000. But I know that God is a God of abundance and He will do way more than just cover our expenses. Your church can support Ignite by giving directly to Solid Rock and designating “Ignite.” Please bring your youth group and friends to our event. Promote it to other churches. But most importantly, pray for us.

Long term, I have no idea where God will take Ignite. Some of my fellow Ignite leaders want to see it become a non-profit organization, taking Ignite from school to school. I am just happy to have played my small role in what God is doing to build His kingdom here in the Golden Strip area.

Can I get a standing ovation for the power of perseverance?  For the initiative taken by a few students…STUDENTS!  I not only want to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of the next generation, but I’d love to ask you to come alongside and support them as well.  Pray, encourage, attend (if you’re in Upstate SC), and prayerfully consider giving to support these students as they seek to ignite their own generation for Jesus as well!

Way to go Chloe! I’m so proud of you!!!

**If anyone wants to donate, it’s super old school with a check sent to Hillcrest High School, ATTN: Jill Ball (the Solid Rock sponsor). The check should be made out to Solid Rock Club specified for “Ignite.”