Ending and Starting with IMPACT

Volume 2, Issue 1
Ending and Starting with IMPACT

2007 is here! The last two weeks have been crazily busy for us as it may have been for you too! We celebrated Christmas split between the Lehman and Rebholz families. Christmas Night, 12 of the Keynote staff traveled in a caravan to serve at the IMPACT National Christmas conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Keynote’s vision incorporates partnerships. One of Keynote’s partnerships is with the Impact Movement. Keynote served as a resource during the conference by: running video cameras, helping with the programming, providing sound and lighting equipment and served as liaisons for concert artists.

You might be wondering what is IMPACT ? Let us explain. The Impact Movement is “a movement of evangelism and discipleship, and exists to mobilize African American leaders to reach the lost and build believers on campuses, in our community, in Africa and the Diaspora.” (taken from impactmovement.com)

This national conference occurs every 2 years. Mike served at it in 2004 when it was in Washington, D.C. The Impact Movement began as a conference in 1991. It is now a movement reaching thousands of African American college students. Many of the speakers have been students attending the conference in years past.

The Impact music summer project bands Soul Seed and Infinite Impact that were formed as a result of Keynote’s partnership performed New Years Eve. Keynote’s very own artist Rahlo (Mike Porter) was the Emcee for the Gallery Ballroom during the conference.

One of the activities during this conference was the Day of Outreach. The students were divided into groups and shuttled out into the community to share the message of Jesus. Here are the results: 2,142 people exposed to the Gospel message, 286 accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, 116 rededicated their lives to Christ.

Personally- It was an incredible experience yet taxing for both of us. Late nights, little sleep, long hours, loud music, talented musical artist, Godly speakers, personal spiritual growth, and applying flexibility. If the opportunity comes again we’d go!

God’s free forgiving love is the sole source of salvation.
- Gerhardus Vos