30til30: Day 10

I have 30 days until I turn 30, so I thought I'd try to choose 30 moments that have helped shape who I am and want to be. Coming up with the list has been challenging...and enlightening. These are in no particular order.

10: The first time I went to Insight.

When I was in high school (and for a few years after), Grace had a bi-weekly youth extravaganza called "Insight." Basically, it was a church service for teenagers...hundreds of teenagers. A lot of my friends were always there and one week, I gave in and went. I literally was never the same again. My most vivid memories from the first Insight I attended:

• Feeling the presence of God in a corporate gathering for the very first time.
• Looking around at my friends and thinking, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN ABOUT THIS?!"
• Listening to Derek and thinking, "This guy is going to change Erie forever."

Memories from Insights over time:

• What will happen next? (specifically, Matt Donovan biting into a huge head of lettuce)
• Family Boxing Match (again, Donovan).
• The Underpants Song. It was the beginning of the end.
• The Golden Fish Award Ceremony.
• Praying and commissioning Seniors to go out and be a light wherever they were heading.
• Fashion. Through. the. Ages.
• Amazing worship.
• Life-changing talks from Derek.

How it shaped me:

• I met Derek Sanford. For those of you who know him, that statement says it all.
• Some of the most talented leaders at Grace (and in other churches) came through that ministry. I work and have worked with a bunch of them.
• Through Insight, God placed a burden on my heart for using my creative gifts in ministry. Granted, the form of that creativity has changed over time, but it's always there in some form.