When we go to Creation each year, we assume God is going to do great things. Some of the best speakers in the world speak at Creation and amazing things happen in people’s lives. Even though we went to Creation expecting great things, nothing could prepare us for what God was going to do in our group this year, it was nothing short of amazing. After looking back on what happened all I can say is “Praise God”, I’m glad He is in control and not me.

We started Creation off Wednesday with the main group arriving mid morning to a partially setup camp. After some team work and elbow grease the camp was 100% done and we were ready for the festivities to begin. Rapture Ruckus kicked off Creation with Kutless following. Kutless did an awesome worship set that really set the mood for the first speaker Reggie Dabbs. Reggie did an awesome job and when he did an invitation thousands went forward including many from our group. That night we had one person in our group that accepted Christ for the first time and a number of others that wanted to rededicate their lives to Christ or get baptized. God was already doing great things in our group and it was only day one. David Crowder and Chris Tomlin ended the night with great worship. David Crowder really did well doing some David Crowder band favorites and doing some new takes on some old hymns. The night ended like every other night at Creation, with 12:00 AM hamburgers then off to bed.

Thursday morning started early with worship again in the morning and then Preston Centuolo speaking. After the morning speakers everyone has free time to see bands, speakers or just do whatever until the evening kicks off. Thursday night a group favorite, Red played to really kick the night off followed by the City Harmonic leading worship. Bob Lenz was the evening speaker and like always he delivered a powerful message. Thousands of people were moved by what Bob had to say including many from our group. Following Bob was Tenth Avenue North and Tobymac who both performed great shows that everyone enjoyed.

Friday was by far the hottest day that we have had at Creation in a long time. Gene, a member of our group, said that during the afternoon under his camper canopy the temperature was reading a scorching 103 degrees! To say that it was hot was an understatement! But the heat didn’t stop God from working. Even though it was hot we had didn’t have one person get sick or dehydrated which certainly was due to God’s protection. Friday night Nick Vujicic delivered one of the best sermons I personally have ever heard at Creation or anywhere. Nick was born without any legs or arms and he has a testimony that is just amazing. Nick explained how God used him to do amazing things despite his handicap. What God said through Nick not only moved me personally but our entire group and the whole Creation crowd. Unfortunately Nick’s sermon was cut short by a thunderstorm and with a little controversy. Creation cut Nick short and asked everyone to go back to their campsites for safety. I know a lot of people where upset about Nick getting cut short but in reality we really don’t know what was happening behind the scenes and to get mad at anyone for what happened is probably just a waste of time. God used Nick to give an amazing message and God even used that thunderstorm that ended the sermon so abruptly to move in people’s lives. Well the rain came, at 8:25 PM (don’t be mad!), and the main concerts got delayed. Even though we got a little rain God protected us from a very powerful thunderstorm that was to our west. After a long period of not knowing what was going to happen we got word that the concerts were going to start, unfortunately for the tired…it was 11:00 PM. Family Force Five played to a smaller crowd due to the rain (maybe five thousand instead of eighty) and did an awesome job. TFK ended the night and it was all wrapped up around 2:00 AM!! Oh well, who needs sleep anyway. Despite the late night Family Force Five and TFK put on great shows and everyone that got to see them saw something really special.

Saturday morning came around quick, especially for the people that saw the late/early concerts. Praise God it wasn’t quite as hot as the previous day only getting into the upper eighties (better then low one hundreds!!). The highlight of the day was the evening. Tony Nolan gave the evening message and it moved our group (and all of creation) into action. Around twenty five to thirty from our group went forward when Tony gave an invitation. God was working in all their hearts and each one took a step forward in a relationship with Christ. We had two more people accept Christ with everyone else making different commitments in their relationship with God. A number from the group are seeking to get baptized (some happening on 7/6) and others rededicated their lives to serve Christ. It was a very emotional and moving experience. I praise God that I could be a part of it and witness what God was doing in so many different lives. God is good! The night ended with Newsboys and Switchfoot putting on great concerts followed by candle lighting and fireworks to end Creation 2012.

Creation 2012 was a ton of work, but wow, was it worth it. We got to see God working in every life in our group, more than we have ever seen. I came away changed forever by the different things we all witnessed. I pray that we all are changed by what we saw and we don’t simply fall back into our normal every day routines. We need to show the world and those we come in contact with that we left for Creation as one person and came back as someone else on fire for Christ and committed to serving Him. Don’t let the fire in your hearts out, but fan it into a flame that burns brightly until God is done with us here on earth.

Jonah McWilliams

Pleasant View Youth Pastor