Are you ready to have your youth Encounter God?
This event is designed to have intentional times of ministry, such as testimonies, Gospel presentation, and prayer. The activities are designed to encourage youth to interact with kids outside their group, with the intention of meeting other believers. The hope is that kids leave encouraged by the mutual experience of God and each other. For the unbeliever, the prayer is that they experience the love of Jesus and encounter him in a personal way as they interact with their friends, the speakers and volunteers.
The Story of “The Farm”
Tom and Sue Mc Gowan purchased The Farm 6 years ago-Tom was reluctant to do so, Sue was much more willing. Prior to purchasing the farm, Tom encountered God as he was standing in a field that overlooked the farm. God prompted him to purchase the farm, but Tom rejected God twice.
The third time he surrendered to God’s voice. Tom agreed to buy the farm, under one condition: that the farm would be Gods’ and he (Tom) would be the project manager.
A few years later, Tom witnessed a big revival near his hometown of Rochester, NY in a farm field. Right then and there he hit his knees and told God that he wanted to see that happen on his farm. Within the first year or so of owning the farm, Ben (Tom and Sue’s youngest son) said he wanted to host a youth event on the farm. For the next few years, they tried to host several youth events, but nothing really materialized, until November of 2022 after a disappointing turn out to a mud run. Tom said “we need to stop trying to make money off these runs and just host one to gather youth to hear the Gospel.” That afternoon with one phone call, we had our first church on board and the planning began.
January 2023 was our first meeting to begin planning Encounter 2023. From there, God began to put all the pieces in place to make it a reality. As with most things God orchestrates, he had more than a youth event in mind.
In the early spring, “Chip” shows up at the farm to ask Tom if he would be willing to host a revival in September of 2023. Tom did not hesitate to say yes, this time, knowing this was an answer to that prayer three years ago in Rochester, NY. For the next several months leading up to Encounter, leaders from many area churches began to pray for the event and continued to do so on a weekly basis. We began to see God putting the pieces together. Bi-weekly worship services began in May as representatives from 20+ churches began to gather at the barn to worship and pray for Encounter and the revival, asking God to do what only He can do. As the event drew near, volunteers and provisions began to pour in, more evidence that God was at work.
Finally, the day arrived, and God blessed the event on August 5 th with beautiful weather. The kids began to arrive, and the place filled with excitement. It was a joy to see the kids interacting with each other, especially after the isolation they had experienced the last few years. To see the body of Christ, working together.
Last year we had 300 youth, representing 25 different churches, attend Encounter at the Farm!
