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The future of our Church is at Steubenville
Photo by Jean Ko Din

The future of our Church is at Steubenville

By  Chanelle Robinson, Youth Speak News
  • August 7, 2015
A Steubenville participant shares the stage with host Chris Stefanick. Video by Jean Ko Din

Steubenville Toronto greeted me with crowds of people — a sea of colourful t-shirts, distinguishing each group that bustled among the different vendors. As I entered Roy Thompson Hall Friday afternoon, I felt the electrified hum of young people, reuniting with old friends from conferences past, making new ones, and expecting to encounter the Lord in a new way.

High school students from across North America (I met a group from Michigan) have gathered for a weekend of faith forming workshops, live music and key note speakers. Limitless is the two-fold theme of the conference, which points to God's boundless love for the youth and the limitless potential that awaits them because they have said "yes" to the Gospel of Christ.

Joe Zambon opened with song and reminded the youth that God unconditionally loves them. The Josh Blakesley Band, featuring Sarah Kroger, are the worship leaders for the weekend. I was also moved by the sight of raised hands in prayer and worship, the energy of the band and the sound of young voices.

The auditorium was filled with smiling and screaming youth. They were either attempting to finish the lyrics with Chris Stefanick or tweet their experience for their fellow pilgrims to see.

A stellar roster of speakers will provide talks for the youth throughout the weekend. Matt Fradd and Cooper Ray reminded the young people that Christ has come to give us the fullest and truest form of life.

I was also happy that they focused on the unpopular portion of John 10:10, that talks about the thief. The devil only wants to steal, kill and destroy our lives, and our sense of hope and joy. Both Fradd and Ray exposed some of the lies and false comfort that can become idols that impede us from experiencing the fullness of God's limitless love. 

This weekend will orient youth towards a horizon of holiness. Indeed, I have seen the future of our Church at Steubenville Toronto and it is limitless.

(Robinson, 22, is a graduate of the Catholic Studies for Teachers programme at King’s University College in London, Ont.)

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