“GODencounters was my own Mount Sinai experience! It was like the moment when Moses asked GOD to show His glory,” raved Kim Grey, who works with the Adventist Health System. “That experience was tremendous for Moses and GODencounters was a ‘show me GOD’s glory’ experience for me!”

GODencounters Conference held at the Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church this May, overflowed with young adults wholeheartedly seeking a 24/7 experience of the living GOD. The adjunct classrooms and lobbies were needed to accommodate those coming to worship and explore this year’s theme, “The Kingdom of GOD is a Party!”

Convening during the Florida Conference Camp Meeting, GODencounters was envisioned to be more than just an inspirational event. It intends to foster an everyday experience of GOD for young adults, a deep daily dependence on Jesus.

Laundry worker Steve Webb commented, “GODencounters. . . has helped me to understand that I truly need Him to make it through every single day.”

This year completed a 7-year cycle of themes for GODencounters, which annually gives focus to a particular young adult spiritual discipline. Worship, Kingdom living, compassion, prayer, rest, discipleship, celebration were emphasized each year in statewide gatherings, local small groups, and online communities. The intention continues to be the deepening of young adult devotion to GOD and to their faith community.

“GODencounters has given me a way to connect with others, to become a leader in the church, and to make friends with young adults that love Jesus as I do,” shared interior designer Heather Magray. “My relationship with God has become more open, authentic, real, and jubilant. My prayers life has grown and changed deeply.”

Growing from a handful of young adults, GODencounters [Ge] has begun to spread to thousands of young adults across the continent with other Ge gatherings being held in New Jersey, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. There are plans for Ge retreats in the Fall in Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, and Pennsylvania. In addition to the young adults gathering in real space, GODfollowers are also convening online at www.GODencounters.org and online social networks like Facebook and MySpace.

“GODencounters has shown what a few people, determined to share Jesus with others, can do. Personally for me it's helped me to grow as a Christian,” lauded young adult newlywed Todd Gable. “I've made some great friends at GODencounters over the years, and we aren't perfect. But we're all united in our desire to show Jesus to others.”

Find upcoming GODencounters events at www.GODencounters.org