Denver Recap: Growing Momentum

Click on the picture for a fully illustrated recap of the Denver conference by 11-year-old Katie, the young filmmaker behind Unexpected News and member of the incredible Collins family — who provide Audience Response Technology.

On Saturday over 1,100 teens, parents, and youth workers came together in Denver for the third stop of the Do Hard Things Tour — nearly doubled from last year. They came from as far as California, Arizona, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Louisiana. By God’s grace lives were changed. Souls were saved. Momentum is building. Thank you all for your prayers!

60 Responses to “Denver Recap: Growing Momentum”

  1. Kole Says:

    AWsome picture, Katie!

  2. Kole Says:

    Praise the Lord! not only for what he’s done but for who he is!

  3. Mark Hutchins Says:

    Love it!

  4. Kaysie Says:

    Praise God! I am so trilled that your message is spreading. Wish I could have been there! :)

  5. kailey Says:

    katie that is an awsome picture. ever thought of making comics.

  6. Destiny Says:

    Wow, that’s an amazing picture! Very good Katie!

    I sure wish I could have been there! God bless!

    -Destiny

  7. Nicole Says:

    Alex, you look like a character out of an old western. =)

  8. Kaitlyn Kay Says:

    I was there! It was awesome! You guys did great! Two of my friends accepted Christ! Hallelujah!

  9. Victoria W. Says:

    That is a really cool picture Katie! I’m so glad the conference went well! Like everyone else I wish I could have been there too. Are ya’ll going to make this year’s conferences available on DVD or CD or anything?

  10. Molly Says:

    Thank you so much for what you did for me on Saturday! You really gave me a wake up call… I was really coasting even though I thought I was doing hard things. I am going to work harder from now on!

  11. Eric Novak Says:

    The amazing thing the drawings really look like you boys (and Mr. Harris). ;)

    Eric

  12. Ashton B. Winslow Says:

    Wow, that’s good!! I’m an artist, and I’m totally impressed!! I really wish I could have been there.

  13. Margaret Says:

    “I’m going to kill you little boy…?” So I didn’t hear it, but could you explain that Brett?

    In Christ,
    Margaret

  14. David Says:

    Come to Canada. We need you up here too.

  15. Anna W. Says:

    That’s so great! Glad to hear the Denver conference went well!! May God continue to work through you!!

  16. Jacob Says:

    I believe that was the showerhead talking. (Brett did not enjoy his first shower!)

  17. Brett Harris Says:

    Victoria: Actually we do have a DVD of this year’s conferences — and they’re now available to order! =D

    http://www.noblebooks.org/the_rebelution_store/dht_08_dvd.html

    Margaret: I believe I was interpreting the rumbling and hissing noises that a shower makes before it prepares to kill clean a little boy. :wink:

  18. Eleanore Says:

    Wonderful drawing - it’s accurate even down to the clothes you were wearing! The conference was amazing - I was truly blessed to be able to be there. What a fantastic outpouring of our great God working through your sessions. I cannot wait to dive into your book and read the version of the concept of “Do Hard Things” that ISN’T on steroids (quoted by . . . I believe it was Brett; forgive me if I am incorrect)! =D

    Out of curiosity . . . Alex and/or Brett, you thanked your family for their support at some point in the conference and mentioned a family of six siblings - Isaac, James, Sarah, Brett, Alex, and Joel. Are you not also related to Joshua Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship, among other books? I don’t know why I got the impression you were related if that is not the case after all. . . .

  19. Margaret Says:

    Ok, Brett, thanks. You really had me thinking there for a minute, but yes, your shower story.

  20. Josh H. Says:

    Alex and Brett–

    Thank you so much for the conference…it has changed my life. Literally. I’l email you later.

    Even though I was not one that went up, I was touched by the 75 that did go up. Praise God!

    –Josh H.

  21. Hannah Says:

    Great job, Katie!

  22. David Ketter Says:

    Great drawing by Katie….I have a few comments I’d say to you guys based on that lovely artwork, but mayhap a comment isn’t the best place for them. ;) Glad to hear that Denver was a success. Looking forward to Gaithersburg, brothers!

  23. Miranda Says:

    That picture just made my day! She managed to give an excellent account of what was said, and of some of the great moments, in that drawing. Way to go, Katie!

  24. Ahlaischa Says:

    This really has nothing to do with the current post, but I have heard so many good things about John Piper. I have not read any of his books yet. What is so phenomenal about him, is it his passion, his writing style, or his practicality? I was reading Alex and Brett Harris’ booklist ,and they recommend some of his books. For a person who has never read any of his works, where would be a good place to start?
    P.S. I have a friend who went to the Denver conference, she said it was absolutely amazing! I can’t wait until you guys visit Dallas!
    Soli De Gloria, Ahlaischa

  25. Allison Says:

    That’s great! Awesome work, Katie!!

  26. Carrissa Rayburn Says:

    Hey!!
    it was soo nice to meet y’all at focus on the family a few days ago!
    good luck and y’all will definitely be in our prayers :]]

  27. Nick minglin Says:

    hey guys i’m 12 and i love it

  28. Amanda Howell Says:

    Since I won’t be able to attend a conference this year, I will definitely look into getting the DVD and then that way my whole family would be able to benefit :-)

  29. Caleb Nathaniel Says:

    I had the privilege of being able to go to the conference. It was really good! The way Alex, Brett, and Greg Harris presented their sessions was entertaining and moving. I was really affected when they had the altar call. One of my friends went up. Worship also was superb! It was such a blessing to hear worship given with such passion.

    Great job Katie with recap of the conference! Your drawings look really good.

    Eleanore- Joshua Harris is Alex and Brett’s older brother

  30. Justin M. Davito Says:

    Good note taking!!!

  31. Hannah Michelle Says:

    What a GREAT “recap” of the conference! I love it - brought back some good points and memories from last year. Way to go Katie, thanks for sharing your artwork with us!

  32. Jasmyn Says:

    Thats amazing! way to go!

  33. cj Says:

    This is a perfect illustration of the conference.

    Glory to God!
    -cj

  34. Lydia D. Says:

    I wasn’t there, but now I have an idea what it was like! :) I love your work Katie! Keep it up!

  35. Mercedes Says:

    i wasn’t there either, but i can only imagine that it was a great experience and that God was with you the entire time.

    Joshua 1:9
    Mercedes N.K.

  36. Kay Says:

    Katie - great comic! It is so easy to remember all the different parts on it!
    The whole conference was fantastic - you guys did a great job! One of my friends took the alter call. The whole event was touching. Keep up the good work guys! (and you too Katie :) )

    ~Kay

  37. Brett Harris Says:

    Ahlaischa: The best way to get familiar with John Piper would be to visit his website:

    http://www.desiringgod.org

    Here’s a clip of him speaking to give you a taste:

    http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2006/09/john-piper-a-challenge-to-young-people/

    Here’s an amazing sermon he did on 1 Timothy 4:12:

    http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2008/04/john-piper-let-no-one-despise-you-for-your-youth/

    As far as which of his books to read first, we recommend “Don’t Waste Your Life.” =)

  38. Nicole Says:

    Praise God! that truly is fantastic! You guys should come to Florida:)

  39. Eleanore Says:

    Caleb Nathaniel - Thank you for clarifying! I thought I was hallucinating for a minute there. Good to know I’m not losing my mind entirely . . . ;D

  40. Hillary S. Says:

    Another amazing and encouraging conference. Thanks for taking time to talk to me and sign my book between bites of Chipotle. I’m really glad I was able to come before I leave for Africa.
    Miranda: It was so good to get to meet you in person. It’s pretty amazing I was able to find you amongest all those people!
    How many stood for salvation? I think I counted 9. Praise the Lord!

  41. Miranda Says:

    Hillary S., I agree that it was amazing that you were able to find me!!! That was one of my favorite parts of the conference, actually. It was so neat to meet you and know who you are just because we both commented on here!!! : ) Do you have a blog? I’d love to keep in touch. I can post my e-mail address on my blog, if you don’t have your own blog. Just let me know!

  42. Katie Collins Says:

    SO glad to see so many people are enjoying my comic. :)

    It is always a blessing to go to The Rebelution conferences and hear Alex, Brett, and Mr. Harris speak.

    It was an exceptional blessing to be in Denver, and to see all those people come to Christ!

    Katie

  43. cohen Says:

    That is an amazing picture Katie! I’m glad you took the time to draw it.

  44. cohen Says:

    Brett and Alex-
    I’m happy to see what you have done to change teenagers around the world.
    -Cohen

  45. Anya Says:

    Great drawing, Katie! I burst out laughing when I saw Brett talking about not liking showers! Can’t wait for the conference we’re going to!

  46. Ahlaischa Says:

    Thank you Brett for the referral! I’m excited about June 28th:)
    -Ahlaischa

  47. Hannah B. Says:

    Hey Everyone!

    I went to the Rebelution conference in Hickory, North Carolina, and God radically worked in my life there. I want everyone I know to get the chance to attend this conference, so while I was there at the conference, I started a petition for the Rebelution to come to Michigan. I even got Brett and Alex to sign it! Michigan is a central state, and people from Canada, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin would have easy access to the conference. If u live in Michigan or a surrounding state, please email me at rebelutionmichigan2009@yahoo.com to get ur name added to the petition!

  48. Alyssa C. Says:

    Well captured. :D

  49. Grace C. Says:

    Great Sketch, you most of the important information ;) Can’t wait till you get to Gaithersburg.

  50. Melanie H. Says:

    I love taking notes, but I’d never thought of drawing them! What neat idea Katie!

    So thankful the conference went well. So sorry I can’t go to any. Maybe next year.

    -Melanie

  51. Chelsea Says:

    Great drawing Katie! I wish I were as creative as you!

  52. Hillary S. Says:

    Miranda: I would love to keep in touch. Unfortunately I don’t have a blog (I’m a little bit behind when it comes to blogs, facebook, etc). So that would be great if I could just get your email from your blog.
    By the way Katie. I really liked your comic. As I was looking at it I thought “Man, I wish I could draw like that”. That was a really great idea for taking notes. Especially for those of us who are visual people (like me) remember stuff better. Many thanks to your family for what you guys to help make the conference so meaningful. God bless you guys!

  53. Miranda Says:

    OK, Hillary. It’s in my profile now. Just go to my profile and under “contact” it says something like “email me”. :)

  54. Abbie F. Says:

    I’m so excited about what God is doing through the Rebelution! Can’t wait to see you guys at the Dallas conference!

  55. Bethany Grizzard Says:

    I live in Cheyenne, which is only about 2 hours away. I really, really wished I could’ve been there, but my dad and brother had just gotten back from a nearly 3 week mission trip in northern India. I’m glad so many showed, that’s awesome!

  56. Hannah Williams Says:

    Come to IN!

  57. Hepzibah Hastings Says:

    Wonderful! To God be the Glory!

    Hepzibah

  58. rachel Says:

    wow, great picture! i hope this is a forehadowing of what it’ll be like when you come to MD! can’t wait!!!

  59. Nicole K. Says:

    Wonderful picture! It made me laugh!

  60. Trey Edwards Says:

    Come to Hunstville, AL! I know of a lot of people (almost every one in my church) who could use a wakeup call such as only you can deliver. Your message changed my life, and I enjoy seeing it change other people’s lives as well. I hope I can come to some part of the conference, or some other event, soon!

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