ELEVATEX TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

from Alberta Adventist News March Edition 2020

SCRAPS, STEWARDSHIP AND A NEW BLUE BOX AT FOOTHILLS CAMP

Pastor Damian Chandler, the keynote speaker for ELEVATEx, preaching Sabbath morning. Photo by Eric Ollila

Over 180 postmodern millennials between the ages of 18–35 gathered together in Banff, AB during the weekend of November 15–17, 2019 for a power-packed and uplifting experience that took attendees to the "next level" on their spiritual trek with God. ELEVATEx is a worship, discipleship and transformation conference for postmodern thinkers with the primary goal of attracting and engaging urban, postmodern, millennial, young adults from across North America.

The weekend event was held on the campus of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, a learning organization built upon "an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development and located in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains." (1)

Featured guest presenters included Pastor Eddie Hypolite, an internationally known speaker who specializes in the area of church and culture, who spoke on "Christianity and Culture." Tara Vincross, a pastor from Grand Terrace, California, talked about "Urban Discipleship." Kymone Hinds, a sought-after presenter and life coach, presented "Christian Entrepreneurship and Finance."

Other relevant and highly sensitive topics were addressed in seminars such as "God and Sexuality" by Orlando Pule and "The Black Experience from a Personal Place" by Cheri Notice, a teacher at the Mamawi Atosketan Native School in Ponoka, AB. Additionally, Steve Yeagley, who specializes in youth and young adult ministry and serves as Assistant Vice President for Campus and Student Life and Director of Co-Curricular Education at Andrews University, presented an engaging session on "LGBTQ+ and Inclusion."

Keynote speaker, Pastor Damian Chandler, invited guests to a life of transformation that allows one to experience real communion with God and community with people. He taught attendees that as we experience this kind of authentic community, we become passionate champions for Christ and dare to follow The Lamb wherever He goes.

The weekend featured musical guests West of Here, Jamie Browne (and choir), B Zap (and band), and additional seminar speakers such as Pastor Kyle Smith, Pastor Colby Maier, and Nwamiko Madden.

Dr. Lyle Notice, Youth Director for Alberta Conference, spearheaded the event, along with an assembled team of Alberta Conference colleagues, pastors, Burman University staff, musicians, videographers, and other technicians.

Future plans include ELEVATEx pop-up churches to occur throughout Alberta in 2020 and another ELEVATEx conference tentatively planned to take place in 2021. To learn more about ELEVATEx or participate in upcoming events, stay tuned by visiting elevatex.ca or the Alberta Conference website at albertaadventist.ca. Updated information will be posted as it becomes available. —Written by Eric Ollila Communication/ IT/Media Director, Alberta Conference