It had been on our minds for some time to gather together some key leaders from the Yez services to discuss the future of Yez and see if we could get a sense of what God was leading us to do as we looked into the future. So on Sun. Jan. 15th, a group of us (see list at the bottom) gathered to review the long history of Yez, share stories, marvel at all that God has done through the years, and hear people's thoughts and insights as to the future. The outcome of this time led us to a clear decision to bring the ministry of the Yez services to a close. While there is a sadness associated with this decision, there is also a hopefulness about what this could mean for the future. As one person shared, "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (John 12:24).

For 25 years, Yez has sparked faith, worship and God-breathed visions for many, many people. It's been an awe-inspiring journey. Our hope is that this ending will mean the beginning of many new journeys. There won't be any further Good Friday or Christmas services, but we are planning one last special event in 2012 as our final celebration together.

Let's take a moment and look back on some of the key highlights of this maverick youth movement that was seeded in United Church youth camps in the early '80's and emerged as Youth Eventz with a 'z' ...

On Dec. 20, '87, the first Yez worship service took place in Bloomingdale UC (near K-W) with about 60 people. There was a couple of guitars and some puppets. And to us, it was awesome! In the following months, attendance increased, so we moved to St. Jacobs UC to make room for everyone. By today's standards, the services were pretty simple, but they helped youth connect with God and hear Jesus' call to follow in ways that were down-to-earth and relevant. Something great was happening. God was doing something new and exciting.

After the Bloomingdale experiment, Yez took off! Monthly youth services began in Springvale (Haldimand Norfolk), Lowville (Burlington), Mildmay (Bruce), Niagara Falls and later in Kingston and London. The first "combined" service joined the Springvale group with the K-W group for a Christmas service in St. Jacobs in 1988. It was such a great experience that we decided to do it again on Good Friday. As new services began, all leaders and youth joined in the "combined" Christmas and Good Friday services that continued each year. We started at St. Paul's UC in Paris, then moved to a variety of locations in Hamilton: Ryerson UC, Centenary UC, Hamilton Place and Cathedral High School.

Meanwhile, the services were just part of a bigger explosion of programs that included the New Year's Eve Extravaganza, March Breakaway, The Art of Youth Leadership, Upward Bound (discipleship), and various Bible studies. There was even a yez magazine called "The Scoop" that featured strange characters like Nimrod Papadopoulos, Vince Chlorso, Bambi Laroo and Fern Featherflake. Budding programs included Beyond (travelling to Haiti), Matrix (theological retreat), Vista (speaker training), SALT (outreach), Summer in the City (youth weekends), Caravan (travelling outreach), Rock Chapel (young adult worship), prayer gatherings and more.

In the late '80's and early 90's, Yez was a bee hive of activity as visions turned into reality. Growth was exponential. Rich community bonds were formed. Faith was ignited. Life paths were shaped. It was an amazing time!! But by the mid '90's, momentum diminished in all of the Yez programs EXCEPT the Christmas and Good Friday services. They took on a life of their own as attendance and energy continued to increase. By the late '90's and the turn of the millennium, visions for these services expanded to include more advanced drama, video screens, and enhanced sound equipment. Youth groups, buses and youth from seemingly everywhere poured into the services and created an electric atmosphere that was a sight to behold.

Youth Eventz services were worth a long drive. They were not to be missed. Life-changing God-experiences happened. Incredible moments will never be forgotten. Depending on the era of Youth Eventz you experienced, you will have your own memories. And if we could hear all your stories, I know that they would add up to one big WOW. Thank you God!

So we are filled with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. Thank you for your part in the story of Youth Eventz. Thank you for coming. Thank you for working hard to bring your youth group. Thank you for countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. Thank you visionaries, leaders, artsy types and mentors. Thank you for offering yourself and your gifts.. Thank you for the sacrifices. Thank you for the prayers.

A special word of thanks goes out to those who have given leadership to some great services in the recent past. Thank you Steph, Cam, Nathan, Drew, Dave, Cam, Harold, Andrea and team!

When details of the Yez celebration event are ready, we'll let you know. In the meantime, you are invited to share a Yez memory or describe how Yez has influenced you by sending an email to: stories@youtheventz.com. You are also welcome to share comments on the Youth Eventz Facebook page.

As the Yez story comes to an end, we encourage all of you to step boldly into the new stories that unfold around you. Listen for God's voice. Consider how Jesus is calling you. Partner with the people who share your passions and vision. Be open to the new thing that God is doing. Let the winds of God carry you. Take chances. Don't be shy. Go for it! And then be amazed at what God does.

Dare you to move (an old Youth Eventz theme that seemed like a good way to conclude),

Lance Wright
Youth Eventz Service Director from '87 - '08
lance@scenechange.ca

Stephen Cowley
Youth Eventz Founder
sjcowley1@gmail.com

Note: Those in attendance at the meeting on Sunday were: Cam Fraser, Cody Scott, Dave Small, Drew Maxwell (and his dog), Duncan Nicholls, Harold Arnett, Lance Wright (who sat with Drew's dog), Nathan Stretch, Peggy Wright, Rob Irish, Steph Stretch, and Stephen Cowley.