PSKOV – On February 21 to 23, UPGRADE Youth Conference took place in Pskov. 420 young people from 35 cities and 8 countries gathered together. Those were three amazing days of the Holy Spirit movement. The conference was called “Reach out!” A powerful word of the conference speakers Andrew Gardner and Nikolai Zalutski took away young people’s hearts. Profound worship and prayers touched everyone.
The topics of workshops were about premarital and marital relationships, how to start a business, how to evangelize using contemporary methods. A workshop on praise and worship took place as well.
At ‘Show UP’ all those willing worshiped God with their talents, and they were many, performed their presentations on high level.
A prayer room was open almost 24 hours, ministers of intercession were praying for everyone. God healed, released from evil spirits, gave His word.
On Saturday, February 23, 10 teams, which is several dozens of people, took part in evangelistic outreach. Teams went out to the streets with hot tea, creative activities, prayers, fliers and brochures.
More than 160 encounters happened, 50 people heard the Good News. In the evening 30 of them came to an art-project “Be a Hero” featuring musician and artist Viktor Lavrinenko. Teams continued to communicate and share the Gospel with them in personal talks. For many young people that was the first time experience of participating in street outreaches. We really wanted to show them how to preach the Gospel to our peers relevantly.
The conference revealed what the unity in the Holy Spirit is, how to reach God’s depths and touch the hearts of non-Christian youth.
«UPGRADE has become a turning point in my life. Tons of emotions, revelations, Dad’s presence. That was something! New friends. To those who never participated in the conference, I strongly recommend to put aside all work next year and find the four days to renew and fill one’s strength by God’s blessings» — Maria Lazutina (Narva, Estonia).
«The conference united Christian youth of different churches. What can be better than fellowship and prayer?! Beautiful time to stop, “synchronise watches” and check the directions» – Vyacheslav Lukyanenko (Orsk, Orenburg area).
«Our youth team came on day 2 from Gatchina. Before the conference I had a fall, so I didn’t know what to do, I was lost. The word spoken from the pulpit was specially for me. After Viktor L. concert I was filled with grace and God’s love» — I. Kononov (Saint-Petersburg)
Emmanuel Church Youth Ministry (Pskov)
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
