After much anticipation, the St. Louis and Dallas-Ft. Worth combined youth weekend began with an energetic start on Friday evening, June 9. For the prelude, the youth orchestra played “As the Deer” followed by “Oh Say, But I’m Glad.” Jonathan Cantrell, from St. Louis, led the first half of the song service and Natasha Marshall, from Dallas-Ft. Worth, led the second half of the song service. Alex Cantrell, from St. Louis, opened the testimony service by telling of God’s keeping power and His faithfulness to her over the years. 

The service continued with more testimonies of God’s goodness, as well as a ladies’ quartet from St. Louis that sang “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.” Before the sermon, the soloist from Dallas-Ft. Worth sang, “It Is Jesus, He’s the One.” Verena Byrd-McElroy, the guest speaker for the weekend, brought the message that night. She encouraged the congregation to choose friends who would strengthen them in the gospel, and pleaded with the congregation that no one would leave the meeting without being saved. The meeting ended with prayer and expectation.

Saturday began with a symposium in the morning, followed by lunch, and dessert at Ted Drewes. There was a panel of five speakers at the symposium: Anezi Uzendu, Esther Olusanya, Sister Verena, Brother Jonathan, and Sister Natasha. Members of the audience were encouraged to submit questions for the panel to answer. The questions touched on a variety of topics such as marriage, holidays, anxiety/mental health battles, hobbies, and maintaining focus on God. After a short rest, the day concluded with dinner at the Cantrell house. However, there were so many questions from the morning’s symposium that the panel continued answering questions at dinner. It was a day full of spiritual edification. 

On Sunday morning, the children’s choir sang “This Little Light of Mine” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” followed by the youth orchestra playing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The youth choir sang “Lead On, O King Eternal.” A mixed group from Dallas-Ft. Worth sang “Jesus, Hold My Hand.” Before the sermon, Gozie Uzendu sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Sister Verena read Exodus 40:1-38 for her text, and encouraged believers to follow God in what they watch and listen to as they return back to their various locations. Many tarried in prayer after the service to draw closer to the Lord.