By Louise Van Poll
“A Call to have a Servant’s Heart” is the theme for this year‘s Youth Rally and the members of the Presbyterian Youth Council have picked Jer. 17:10 as the theme scripture: “But I, the Lord, search all hearts. I give all people their rewards according to what they deserve.”
Youth Rally, open to all Presbyterian middle school and high school youth and friends, will run from Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5 at the Ramkota Inn in Pierre. Registration is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday and check out is by noon on Sunday.
The keynote speaker will be Lance Griese of Britton. He will bring a great message on finding clues from God on our journey through life. Griese has been a youth leader and mentor for many years. In Britton he helps lead the Presbyterian youth, but before that he lived in Platte from 1989-2018 and was involved with youth ministry since the early 1990s. He helped form and lead the community senior high youth group in Platte.
The PYC was formed in 2005 with youth and adult mentors from different churches. Griese was the main teacher of this group for 12 years.
“I have been involved in a variety of youth retreats as the main speaker on numerous theme topics for our youth group in Platte, but also in denominational regional retreats around a three state area,” said Griese. “I am looking forward to speaking focused on living a life of service at Rally this year.”
Attendees will also be joined by a group of high school Christians who have formed the band “Heaven’s Hitchhikers.”
Everyone is in for a wonderful treat. This group is a perfect example of how dreams can come true and how every one of us are capable of fulfilling our own dreams.
The mission this year will be to provide clues from God to those in need through service. There will be several service projects, but the main project will be making tie blankets to give to shelters and care facilities.
“We are changing the format for our mission this year,” said Brandon VanOverschelde, PYC co-advisor. “We are asking that each youth group raise money to put towards these projects, rather than having groups collect materials or other supplies.”
Registrations are due by March 18 and include a Rally T-shirt.
For registration forms or more information, contact co-advisors: Deb VanOverschelde, 605-350-4491, stevevano@santel.net; or Brandon VanOverschelde, 605-350-2072, bsv_2012@hotmail.com.