The first hours of this International Youth Convention are full of impressions. And they have to be processed first. While karaoke classics are being staged at some of the booths in Hall 6, there is a contrast programme in Hall 8a: The first worship of the IYT 2019 is pending. Be quiet, shut down, enjoy - and celebrate anyway.

Celebrate Jesus, cheer together and worship God. At a devotional it is also quiet. About one and a half hours before the start there is silence in Hall 8a. Technicians and singers go through the programme once more on the stage, and occasionally helpers talk in the background. From the ceiling you can hear the air conditioning. Otherwise it is quiet. Time to let the thoughts wander and contemplate on the first day. Because in addition to all entertainment and all the fun, the IYC stands for that: just come to rest and think about ones faith.

It is precisely this contrast between hectic and calm that is reflected in devotion. It's about questions of life, the questions about choosing a career, the right place to study, the search for a partner, the place in the congregation. With the song "Where I stand," the singers want to show that God has an answer to all this.

What do young people think about God?

The devotional takes just 15 minutes. But this short time is enough for the youth members to ask themselves where they are in their lives and how they relate to God. It is precisely this question that concludes the prayer that those present in small groups should pray. Everyone adds a thought to the prayer. And in the end, it concludes ends with thoughts from the stage. Finally, there is one last question for all participants to consider: Do you know where this Youth Convention is going to take you?

There will be more devotionals during the Youth Convention, including one about the last days of Jesus. 

All devotionals at the International Youth Convention