Southern Baptist youth event attracts 46,081; breaks even
The Layman Online, August 21, 2000
Baptists have completed their accounting for a youth event that was held at the same time as the ill-fated “The Dawn … An Epiphany,” which was sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The Baptists reported that 46,081 attended their seven-city millennial celebration, more than 15,000 made public decisions for Christian service and all the bills were paid.
The Baptist event was held Dec. 29-31, 1999, the same dates as “The Dawn.”
“The Dawn” organizers had predicted that 30,000 young people would attend the millennial event in Indianapolis. Only 2,000 did, and the financial loss was more than $1.7 million.
One of the explanations for “The Dawn” losses was that young people stayed home because of their fears that massive computer breakdowns (Y2K problems) would interrupt travel and accommodations.
But that did not seem to scare the Baptists away from YouthLink 2000 held in seven cities that were linked by satellite for musical groups, teaching and preaching.
North American Mission Board President Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, “YouthLink showed us the overwhelming openness of our youth to his leading. I think we’re on the verge of one of the greatest movements in the history of young people being on mission. While some may question what programs like YouthLink cost, I want to know what it will cost the kingdom if we don’t challenge this generation to sacrificially serve Him.”
The cost per young person for the Baptist event was $143. The PCUSA lost $850 per young person who attended “The Dawn.”