Resurrection, Divine Rhythm:
Holston groups share so that others may attend
By Annette Bender
This year, youth at Fountain City United Methodist Church in Knoxville will each pay $5 more to attend Resurrection. They voted to do that - in order to help a less-privileged youth group also attend the popular winter spiritual event in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
At Jellico UMC, youth would not be able to attend Resurrection without help from Fountain City as well as the Resurrection Design Team, according to the Rev. Ginger Richardson.
"Some of these kids have never been on elevators. Most come from broken homes or drug-addiction situations, but they're great kids," says Richardson, associate pastor at the Oak Ridge District church.
With housing paid for by Fountain City and 10 scholarships provided by the design team, Jellico youth will join some 12,000 other youth and counselors at Gatlinburg Convention Center this month.
Resurrection, featuring worship leaders Chris Tomlin and Steve Fee and speaker Andy Lambert, will be held Jan. 14-16 and Jan. 21-23.
This year, the design team gave out 50 scholarships in all - a $1,500 value, according to Holston Youth Coordinator Dan Gray.
"I'm delighted when we don't have to turn anybody anyway," the Rev. Gray said.
"It's very important to let people know that through our connectional system, you're helping kids who might not be able to attend Resurrection," said Randy Hildebrant, youth director at Jubilee Project in Sneedville, Tenn.
With 15 scholarships provided by the design team, Hildebrant plans to bring 20-25 young people to Gatlinburg this year. At last year's Resurrection, four young people from Jubilee made firsttime commitments and three rededicated their lives to God.
"Without this help, we would probably find the money somehow," Hildebrant said, "but it would devastate our budget. I'm very grateful and very thankful that we have this program."
When young adults gather Jan. 21-23 for Divine Rhythm, 15 guests will be able to attend with scholarships provided by the Divine Rhythm Design Team, according to team member Eric Glass. The guests, from U-Turn for Christ Drug and Rehabilitation Center in Greeneville, Tenn., are able to attend through offerings collected at last year's Divine Rhythm. Glass said that $525 will help pay their entry fees and an additional $300 will help pay for housing.
"The scholarships are set up so that we can have more ethnic and minority representation," Glass said. "The team believes that this group (U-Turn) would really benefit from Divine Rhythm - and so we want to have them there."
Other young adults attending Divine Rhythm also receive financial support. In Big Stone Gap District, Legion Memorial UMC's Young Adult Class reimburses registration fees for the Wesley Foundation at University of Virginia College at Wise. The Wesley Foundation at East Tennessee State University and campus ministry at Emory & Henry College also provide financial assistance for their participants.
As of Jan. 5, the Divine Rhythm Design Team had received 556 registrations, Glass said. This year's speaker is Rev. Rob Fuquay. Wayne Kerr returns as worship leader.
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