Strength to Stand a new to us winter youth conference, We had a total of 22 youth and church members attend. Our youth group at Piedmont Baptist, usually go to Xtreme Winter each year. This year, we decided to try a newer event to us, Strength to Stand. Strength to Stand in 2016 was January 17-19, 2016 and is very similar to Xtreme Winter but smaller. It is done throughout various places in Pigeon Forge, TN and Sevierville, TN area instead of One huge place Gatlinburg, TN like Xtreme Winter they break it into more than one venue.
Like the bands stay at the one location, we just switch the night location one of the nights. Like this year TobyMac was a the LeConte, we saw him Saturday night and the people at Sevierville Convention Center saw Meredith Andrews. The next night we all switched and went to the other location so we can see the other artist.
Like Xtreme Winter, Strength to Stand assigns the hotels. However, Xtreme Winter you don’t get a say in the hotel, STS, let’s you have a three choices and they assign you one of those three. Piedmont Baptist Youth was assigned to the Spirit in the Smokies
This year’s theme is “Don’t Look Back“.
The focus verse is on Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We were are the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge fur most of the events, but one which was at Sevierville Events Center. They break it into smaller groups and another group was at the LeConte Convention Center, in Pigeon Forge, TN. I think they even did some at Country Tonight Theater, but not sure what went on there, but our group didn’t go to that venue in this conference.
No waiting in long lines like Xtreme Winter either. Better Seats and closer to the stages too. I think Xtreme Winter usually has 9,000 while Strength to Stand divides it up in various venues. We basically got right in and not waiting in the cold and elements to get inside the venue. That is because they break it up in smaller venues.
Now a church from Alabama told me that that was a first for this year, usually you do wait outside for a long time then go inside. This year they let you go inside to the corridor of the venue then let you inside the concert hall area.
I did notice the whole day event, we had more free time than Xtreme Winter between the morning session and the evening session.
I even got to put on my photo bomb sunglasses and photo bomb some youth. Some youth groups were like hey put on those glasses come here and had me come into their pictures. It was all fun.
Strength to Stand Christian Music Bands
- TobyMac
- DJ Morph
- Meredith Andrews
- Rush of Fools (Worship Band which was at LeConte)
- JJ Weeks Band (Worship Band which was at Sevierville Convention)
Kari Jobi, was suppose to play, but due to her pregnancy and the timing with the baby due, she had to cancel. In Strength to Stand you got to pick your worship bands.
Strength to Stand Speakers
- Scott Dawson
- Rick Burgess
- Ed Newton
- David Nasser
Ed Newton and David Nasser are among those speakers usually at Xtreme Winter. All the evangelist speakers has a great message based on the theme of Don’t Look Back. Make sure to follow this blog as one day, I may just share the notes from those teachings.
Hastags
#STSDontLookBack was used for this event. They had a big screen and posted pictures, using Twitter and Instagram. But, I don’t think they put up as much pictures like Xtreme Winter does. Xtreme Winter puts up a whole lot more.
Quote taken from STS website.
Today is a new day, a new journey, and a new start. If you spend your entire “now” looking backward, you will never see the great adventure that awaits. Let’s press on toward our calling and stop being paralyzed by our yesterdays.
More information or to learn more about the Strength to Stand conference visit: strengthtostand.com
I enjoyed this concert much better, but each event has great things in them. If I could and could afford it, I would love to do both Xtreme Winter and Strength to Stand. They are both great events. Just this one seems a little more intimate and close if that makes since and not as huge.
#StrengthtoStand #XtremeWinter #STSDontLookBack
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