OneDay03: Young Adults Getting Serious Before God

Billed as a "solemn assembly," OneDay03 is not to be confused with an ordinary outdoor music festival. "Our purpose is to consecrate our lives," says Passion founder/director Louie Giglio. "To consecrate simply means to set apart. We are setting apart our lives for the purposes and glory of God. The Joel 2 challenge that the OneDay vision springs from says it this way, 'Gather the people, consecrate the assembly.'"

Thousands of college-aged young people are expected to gather in worship and prayer for spiritual awakening in this generation over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, on a private 400-acre ranch in Sherman, Texas.

The unique purpose of Passion and OneDay03 is to bring together college students from campuses and churches across the nation, uniting them across ministry and denominational lines to seek the face of God together in worship and prayer. Affirming and valuing the work of local churches and campus ministries, Passion seeks to foster unity and connectivity among them, encouraging them to draw strength and encouragement from each other, resulting in a louder anthem of God's renown.

"I was a participant at OneDay 2000, and I can tell you that I've rarely been a part of anything I was more certain God could use to change a generation. OneDay is totally unique. Totally God," explains Beth Moore, author/director of Living Proof Ministries in Houston, Texas.

Prior to the final closing session Tuesday morning, May 27, various well-known worship leaders, bands and speakers will lead the students through movements of intercession, celebration, confession, reflection, adoration and repentance.

Missions Mobilization

"We believe thousands of students are connecting with God's heart for the nations and want to spread His fame across the world, but they need guidance in finding their unique roles in missions and getting plugged into available opportunities," says Cindy Formato, OneDay03 mobilization coordinator. "Many have the false precept that being involved in missions requires traveling to various countries and sharing the salvation message, but the truth is that everyone can be involved in missions during everyday life, regardless of location or profession. Our hope is that students will visit the mobilization tent and leave with a new understanding of their roles in missions, connecting with people and organizations capable of helping them achieve their mobilization goals."

Located in a large tent in the "City Center" at OneDay03, the mobilization area is designed to help students encounter God's heart for the nations. Leading the students through a progression of rooms and hallways, guides will equip students with general missions awareness, including the 10/40 Window and other unreached people groups, mission tools and resources, and other foundational knowledge.

Talking and praying with students along the way, guides will help the students identify giftings, passions, and skills that may be useful in discovering what role God is calling them to play in missions.

Cross-trained with a knowledge of all the mission agencies, the guides will then help students identify the organizations and ministries best suited for them. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with guides who are actively involved in the different areas of missions in which they are interested.

Before exiting the tent, students will be asked to fill out a form with general information about themselves and their desired roles in missions. The information will be processed by the RightNow Campaign (www.rightnow.org), which will conduct follow-up with the students.

"The mobilization area allowed us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves," says Marc McCartney, events director with the RightNow Campaign and Next Generation director with Global Missions Fellowship. "Having all of the agencies come in unity showed the students that we care more about them and what God was doing in their hearts than we do about building our own ministries. It gave students the freedom to trust, and it really fostered a place for relationships to be established."

"It is so potent to bring students together for a weekend where they can fast, pray, receive solid teaching, and also receive practical tools that give feet to the vision," says Todd Ahrend, executive director of The Traveling Team. "We expect OneDay to be a catalyst for raising up globally-minded Christians and sprinkling them all over the world."

Getting Ready for the Gathering

Preparing students who are attending this year's gathering, Louie Giglio has created Prepare The Way: A Journey Of Consecration To OneDay And Beyond, a 50-day devotional designed for attendees to ready the students for the sacred gathering and what lies beyond.

Beginning April 28, attendees began to "journey" together, taking time each day to prepare their hearts and allowing God to focus their minds. Posted online in seven-day increments at www.OneDay03.com, students may participate online daily or download each set of readings. The devotional ends on June 9, a date associated with Pentecost which is traditionally 50 days past Easter.

An expression of unity, students are encouraged to complete the devotional with a friend, sharing with each other what God is doing in their hearts as they prepare for the gathering.

OneDay03 is open to all those in the 18-26-age range, as well as graduate students, adult leaders and students entering their senior year in high school. Detailed schedule and registration information can be found at www.oneday03.com.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/nd3000