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Yesterday evening our youth group went to Azusa Pacific University for their annual Night of Champions. This was the first time we had gone since I've been youth minister and it was definitely a worthwhile experience for everyone. Their outdoor entertainment was great. Upon entering through a gauntlet of APU students (who literally cheered and gave high-fives as you went by) we received our t-shirts. Then we instantly hit the In-N-Out trucks where received our food. There was a car show, many Christian themed booths (including C28 - yea!), an obstacle course, the Game Squad (a 40-foot gaming trailer), a skateboarding exhibition, and an outdoor performance by The S.O.G. Crew (a Christian hip-hop group).
Inside the speakers were awesome. Phil Wickham started the night off with a few songs. There was a Christian dance group as well as a men's group called Men Without Shirts (it's impossible to explain here, so ask someone who went or YouTube it - they were hilarious). The main speaker was former NFL and college football player Dennis Weathersby. One of the highlights of the night for me was a powerful skit that a drama group performed. I had seen this skit online, but watching it in person gave me goosebumps. I'm attaching an online version of this skit - although it's not the exact one we watched at APU, I want you to know that this video and the skit, without question, is one of the most powerful video clips and skits I've ever seen. When you watch it, you need to know that it is real. The battle is real. The forces of evil are real.
Ephesians 6:12-17 says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
