NC Recap: A Tremendous Beginning
On Saturday, 1,500 teens, parents, and youth workers packed the P.E. Monroe Auditorium at Lenoir-Rhyne College to be challenged to “do hard things” for the glory of God. They had come from as far as Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, even Alaska. We were all inspired — and 75 stood for salvation.
Photo Credit: Ryan Bruce
For the first time ever at a Rebelution event, Do Hard Things was in stock. We had 500 copies (more than double what we expected would sell) but they were gone before the last session. The message is starting to spread.
Photo Credit: Ryan Bruce
The conference debuted four new t-shirt colors and designs — including two “Rebel With A (1 Tim 4:12) Cause” shirts. Now, over 500 new teens are making a different kind of fashion statement. If you got one, send us a pic!
Photo Credit: Ryan Bruce
God is so good. The conference was a tremendous beginning to the 2008 Tour — and we can’t wait to meet many of you at one of our six remaining stops. Thank you for your continued prayers. Soli deo gloria!
Photo Credit: Ryan Bruce
April 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much for coming! I know that my perspective was changed on several things and you gave us such great tools for continuing Do Hard Things at home. I’m excited to live my life doing hard things…and I know that you changed a few of my friends lives by giving them the opportunity to come into the family. God has given you guys a wonderful message and I’m glad to help share it!
Laus Deo (Praise be to God)
April 7th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Praise God! I am so glad it went well. We will start praying for the next one:-)
April 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Great conference. I had 2 kids stand for salvation there. One was definitely legitimately messed up by the Holy Spirit.
Most all of my kids went home with a copy of Do Hard Things. One kid read 60 pages on the way home.
Alot of them decided to get rid of TV, to go outside more and hang out with lost kids, to read more, to seek to do greater things in our apartment ministry.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Cool pics. I went and abosolutely loved it, it was so cool to hear the words from your own mouth.(I hadn’t realized ya’ll were so funny!) I learned tons. I also enjoyed it because though I have been to a lot of conferences, I was able to apply what I had learned immediatly. I left very inspired. Thank you so much for all the work you put in!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I just want to say, I was there and it was so fun to meet the guys behind the Rebelution. Thanks for signing my book and more than that, thanks for your message of encouragement and hope to your brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been struggling in some areas lately and God used the NC conference to really speak to me through you guys. God is awesome and I loved how Christ focused you were through it up.
Keep it up and God Bless!
April 7th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I went to a DO HARD THINGS confrerence last Saturday, IT WAS GREAT!!!!! I am now inspired to Gods will and will be helping to change the world one person at a time.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Hi,
I am very very very glad that I went to yall guys confrerence. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. I am going to start a bible study for the kids on my street and I am going to help change the world for God.
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
i really enjoyed this conference. you guys opened my eyes to all the potential us teens have and how to use it for the glory of God.
i loved it!
April 7th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Wow.
Ever thought about coming to Australia? The teens here are awesome!
Do you guys take the pictures? They look good.
Just a question about the book, is it just about doing hard things, or does it go onto the kind of stuff that you both blog about? Like competence and all that?
April 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I don’t know how to put into words what a tremendous impact your conference had on my life. Before the conference I was just a Christian girl coasting along, not giving my all for anything I did. But what God said through you (and your book, which by the way is awesome) has started a stirring within my soul. I want to do hard things, not just to say “hey look at me” but to be an example to other teens everywhere I go. I plan on stopping my car that is coasting down the mountain and turning myself around and start hiking back up the mountain to do all the hard things that I just wasn’t “expected” to do before.
Thank- you two so much for following God’s will, if it wasn’t for your conference and book I would probably have wasted these wonderful teen years of my life (Luckily is still have a few left!!)
In Christ, Leandrie.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Just got your book in the mail!
April 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
It was excellent. I am glad I went and challenged, daily, to do hard things. Thank you for coming to my state; honestly, I didn’t think you would! However, I am extremely grateful and looking forward to meeting you again! I was so impressed by the extent of your knowledge and gifting, and yet your humility. Thank you both for being real, down-to-earth guys willing and eager to do as God calls you
Thanks guys!
April 7th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hey Alex & Brett,
You guys still haven’t answered my question- Have you ever thought about coming to NV?
The Lord bless and keep you!
Your sister in Christ,
Lanie
April 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
It is so great that God has provided a way for you to reach teens! I’ll be praying that all your conferences go smoothly.
Do hard things! Yeah!
Eric
April 7th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Awesome! I’m glad your conference went so well! God is really working, and I think it’s tremendous to watch. I absolutely cannot wait for May 3rd!
April 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Alex and Brett, I can’t believe the work you guys are doing!
I was in NCFCA and was at a few tournaments with you guys!
I never competed against either of you, but my sister Liz did :p
It’s so great to see the work God is doing in your life!!
It’s so cool to see the impact you guys are having!
I first heard about this while flipping through World Magazine and I was like, WHOA…I remember those guys!
LOL
How is everything going so far with the tour and book?
Hope you both are well
Grace to you
-John S
April 7th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
good job you guys
:()
Jeff
April 8th, 2008 at 3:54 am
I haven’t been to your conference but I hope to soon.
And as to having 1500 people is absolutely amazing.
God Bless
April 8th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Wow cool! God is good!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:11 am
The conference was great! Thanks to all who had a part in making it happen.
We brought 6 of our youth and I think the day really opened their eyes! They (and many other kids) are used to the “arena-style” youth conferences - loud music, flashy staging, hyper-emotionalism. NONE of that was present at Do Hard Things. Just a handful of people who love God, sharing their hearts and experiences - humbly, reverently, and, yes, quite humorously! THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT MAKES A LASTING IMPACT ON TEENS! What they experience at the flashy conferences fades away over time. What our kids experienced Saturday will be with them a lifetime.
All 6 of the kids we brought are already active campus leaders - they wasted NO time in spreading the message this week. I’m absolutely certain great things are afoot…ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Thanks again to all the Harris’ family and everyone who had a hand in Saturday’s event. You are all doing GREAT hard things!
April 8th, 2008 at 7:19 am
I was able to go and it was great! Even though I am twenty-one and not officially part of my youth group I wanted to go any way because I knew I would be challenged. I went to a Christian high school that had a classical education program in place. There were a lot of hard classes and it was hard to understand why our classes were so much harder than public school classes. For some reason you guys, by the grace of God, were able to make it “click”. Even though I’m in college now it was really good to hear what God expects of us because it is soo easy to coast. I really appreciated it. One of my favorite things about this website is the Booklist. I’ve been needing something like that. Its so easy to get caught up in reading “junk”. Thanks, guys!
April 8th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Jess: The book is a great primer on the Rebelution as a whole. They discuss “Do Hard Things” in the context of Character, Competence, and Collaboration, just like on the blog. Some of their blog posts are even incorporated into the book.
Other points they discuss in the book is the origin of the “teenager” and the whole myth of adolescence; what the teen years should be about; five different kinds of hard things: venturing outside your comfort zone, exceeding expectations, tackling things to big for you alone, small, “insignificant” hard things, and things that go against the crowd. They finish up with many examples of young adults (a.k.a “teens”) living radically different by putting their all into what God has given them to do, and sticking to it.
Overall, the book challenges young people to throw away the worldy idea of adolescence as a time of fun and goofing off (”I’ll grow up later” mentality), and adopting all the responsibility for their lives with Christ that they ought to have as adults. After all, it is now, in our youth, that we have the most energy and the most idealism. Those attributes are wasted if they’re not put to God’s use while we wait around for “adulthood” to set in!
April 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
That’s wonderful! I’m so happy that the first conference was a success, and I look forward eagerly to the one in Dallas!
April 8th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I’m sorry I’m posting twice, but will the “old” T-shirt patterns be availabe at the conferences as well?
April 8th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Emma: Yep! We have all the designs from last year plus four new designs. =)
April 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Hi, yall guys did a great job at the conference in Hikory I was there. IT WAS GREAT!!!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 8:05 am
So glad it went wonderfully! I’ll be praying that the other stops go just a well - even better!
April 8th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I LOVED the conference, but I have just one thing to ask: Did you guys ever find those five missing keypads? My family felt really bad if you had to pay $500 to replace them and we looked under our row for more, but to no avail. Those keypads were so awesome,I would hate for you not to be able to use them because of people losing them. God Bless!
April 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Chelsea: We found two of them… But there were three still missing.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I’m hoping to come when you guys go to Baltimore! It’s only about two hours from me!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Alex: I’m so sorry!:( I feel bad that you had to pay that much $. I hope that it doesn’t happen again!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I just wanted to post and say how beneficial the conference was to me. Just seeing what Brett & Alex are doing is a great inspiration.
I also want to encourage the people that are thinking about going to one of the upcoming conference. If at all possible, GO! This is life changing information that unfortunately a lot of churches and even homeschoolers are lacking.
Even though my time as being a teen is quickly dwindling I would recommend this conference for both pre-teens, teens, college students, and adults. I even saw grandparents at the last conference.
Thanks once again, Alex & Brett, for the work you are doing. God has used you in a marvelous way.
- Ryan
P.S. The pictures are really cool
April 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Ryan: I can’t believe I forgot to credit you for the photos! They are really cool, aren’t they?
April 8th, 2008 at 10:29 am
[b]Alex:[/b] Hey, no problem!
Yeah, I am pleased at how they turned out. Glad you could use them.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:33 am
H, everyone!
lets work to surve God together!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 11:25 am
What a Conference! I went with my youth group as a late pre-teen, and now I feel more confidant about becoming a Godly adult and spouse later on in my life. Thank you so much for coming to Charlotte! God Bless!
April 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Wish I could’ve been there…but I’ll keep you all in my prayers.
May God bless you and all of your efforts to spread His Word and vision among teen America.
May all things be done for His Glory!
Keep up the good work!
your sister in Christ,
Noella
P.S. Can I purchase your t-shirts on Amazon or another online store? I’d like to have one but am unable to attend any of your conferences, (at least for the present), to buy one.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Alex and Brett,
Words can not describe how amazing this conference was! This has truly changed my life. I have started to make some big changes in life because of this. I was so incredibly touched when I saw everyone who came forward. A few friends of mine came to know Christ through this, thank you for giving them that opportunity!
You guys are hilarious, humble and one of my favorite things is that for are believable. You are wise way beyond your years. Your brother, Joel was an awesome music leader(great choice of songs, I might add) and your dad’s session was great too! It was so cool to be able to meet you and have my book signed, thanks! The keypads were a great idea and I really liked that, but I’m so sorry that you have to pay $300.
The shirts are awesome, I got one and have already been asked about it!
I have told tons of friends and people I don’t even know about this and I just can’t stop spreading the word! This is a wonderful ministry and I pray that God will continue to work though you for many, many more years to come
I could just keep going on and on about how amazing this conference was, but I think I’ve gotten my point across!
Keep up the great work and doing hard things for the glory of God!
Emily
April 8th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Well…. its really hard to explain how amazing the conference was in North carolina!! Me and my youth group drove atleast an hour and a half to get there!! I was’nt very exited at first because I did’nt know what was going on who was speaking or anything!! But it was DEFINETLY worth it to drive that hour and a half!!! Keep it up in The Father’s name!!!
-Eavan Bardsley
April 8th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Looking forward to the Dallas conference! =)
April 8th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
How does it feel to finally be able to hold your book in your hands? I bet it’s really an awesome feeling after all the hard work you put into it. I pray that your book is a great success! I’m praying it will inspire teens all over the world.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
This makes me even more excited (if that’s possible) for the one in May!!!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
That’s awesome! When will the new shirts be available online? I would love to take a peek!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Ryan Farrington: Thanks. That clears it up.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Are the shirts available at places other than the conference? I want to go this year, but it looks like it just won’t line up with our travel plans.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Can anyone tell me the names of the songs that were sung at the conference? I really liked them.
~Thanks
April 9th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I think that you can find the names somewhere on the blog! ;.) I liked them to!
April 9th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Ya! Me to, what are the names of the songs sung at the comference?
April 10th, 2008 at 4:41 am
I agree, the songs were great…I especially liked the one that said ‘we must go’, but I can’t remember the names either. Maybe Alex or Brett can reply and let us know!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Is there like a list of all of the books that you guys had available at the conference? I know I have several of them already, like Total Truth, The Enemy Within, and Systematic Theology, but there were so many others!
April 10th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
And is there a place you can buy t-shirts online?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
To all those who are wondering:The name of the song with “we must go” is called God of Justice. It was written by Tim Hughes and you can download it on iTunes. I know this because I got online the night after the conference and searched for it. Hope that helps!
April 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Chelsea! I love that song!
April 11th, 2008 at 5:24 am
http://www.therebelution.com/apparel/
Thats where you can get t-shirts!
Thanks Chelsea!
April 11th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Thanks! I also found the booklist above. I’m done speaking…lol
April 11th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Thanks for signing my book DO HARD THINGS I read to chapter 3 the first day i got it
April 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
WOW! My sister and I attended and got to help out w/ registration. Thank you so much for coming. you truly made a difference in our lives. God bless! Oh, we read the book in one day- totally awesome. Thnx for signing.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I can’t wait till the mn con. Im glad this one went well. God bless the others.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Emily and Anna Claire: You’re welcome! Glad I could help.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I’m a mom of a teen.We attended the conference and I was blessed also.I came away from there with a new perspective on my own life as well.My son who is very much the silent type told me how much he liked it.Trying to describe the experience for a friend was impossible for words did not do it justice.Seeing so many young people eager for the Lord was breathtaking to be sure.I consider this one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Wow… well I preordered it a while back… shouldn’t be long now! And I really want one of those new T-shirts!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Ei. I just want to ask where can we buy/order the new T-Shirts. I wonder how much is it and how it will be sent here in the Philippines. Please do inform me. Thanks a lot!
November 1st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
afmhyjk
November 6th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
qsyboe
November 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
btoup