This is the 7th year leading a group of young adults to Passion. Each year is an exciting time of worship, fellowship and time with Jesus.
The Hewitt Foundation didn’t think it was going to be able to lead a group of young adults to Passion 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the cancelation of large group gatherings. Passion 2021 was canceled in early summer 2020…however, as December approached, Passion made arrangements for a select number of people to gather at their two Passion City Church locations in Atlanta. The Hewitt Foundation was given access to have up to 10 young adults attend IN PERSON for the event. This was such an honor to be included in the “in person” group!
We were able to send 7 young adults and one leader this year to Passion 2021. While that’s not our typical group of 55, we will take what we are able to get given the circumstances of the pandemic.
What better way to invest in our young adults then providing them an opportunity to grow spiritually in their walk with Jesus.
Below you’ll see a photo of everyone who attended with our group and below their photo you’ll see a write up of their reflection of Passion 2021. The Lord is at work within this amazing group! The Hewitt Foundation is already counting down until Passion 2022!
Audrey Carroll:
2020 was marked by many things for me; disappointment, anxiety, fear, loss, etc.. but more than that, my year was filled with peace that surpassed all understanding, joy when it didn’t make sense to be joyful, laughter when things were tough, unconditional love from those around me, & a hope and belief that God has used this time we’ve been given for His purpose and His glory. When I look back over this year, I am thankful that it took different trials and struggles to bring me to my knees in prayer before the Lord. I wasn’t there before. In the last minutes of 2020 spent at the Passion Conference, we got to partake in communion & as the clock struck midnight, we were all on our knees in quiet prayer. No loud countdown or shouting — just a genuine moment where the Lord took precedence over the noise. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better way to end the year and begin a new one in the same posture that 2020 taught me to take. The conference was so spiritually powerful and was exactly what so many of us needed coming off of a tough year and heading into a new one with fresh expectation for how the Lord is going to move.
Lauren Crider:
Attending Passion 2021 in person was different than any other year for a lot of reasons. However, even in those differences, God still met me and did a work in my heart just like he’s done every other year because our God is never-changing and He never leaves us. God doesn’t throw us into hardships or painful experiences just hoping we do well and come out stronger on the other side. Instead, He walks with us and ultimately carries us through those hard times. When this world changes, our God will remain a steadfast anchor and when we fix our eyes on his word instead of this world, that’s when miracles happen. I feel fortunate to of been able to attend such an amazing conference in-person this year, so thank you to the Hewitt Foundation. I look forward to attending for many years to come, God is good.
Abby Reid:
Passion 2021 was truly an experience I will remember forever! I remember how upset I was when they originally canceled Passion Conference because I just kept thinking of how special the 2020 conference was to me! I’m so glad that Craig extended an invitation to me from Passion to attend live this year! Although different than past years it was truly beyond special! Getting to spend the change of 2020 to 2021 on my knees, taking communion in conversation with God is one of the best ways to start a year I could possibly think of! The speakers really hit it home this year! Their messages truly spoke to my heart and what I have been feeling and I challenge anyone who hasn’t listened to them yet to do so!!! Getting to spend New Years worshipping God will forever me one of my favorite things and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference each year and grow my relationship with God!!
Cassie Simmons (far right):
Passion 2021, wow after the way this year has gone, I never expected to be able to participate in Passion in such a way. It was easily one of the biggest blessings of 2020. Christine Caine spoke about the anchor we have as believers and that it isn’t just rooted to the ground- it’s in heaven, holding behind the veil. Priscilla Shirer reminded us all of how life-draining a drought can be, but she pointed us to the well that never runs dry. Gathering with this group of individuals who are committed to the Lord and committed to proclaiming His Word, even in the midst of all that is going on in our world was so amazing, and I could not think of a better way to begin this year. One of my favorite moments was as we approached midnight, and I reflected on that same moment last year. It was loud and crazy, and there were fireworks and dancing. It was a party as we rang in the new year. This year was just as joyous and full of rejoicing, just in a different way. We each knelt before the Lord and in those last moments of 2020 and the first few of 2021, we all sat on our knees, considering and praising the Lord for who He is and the sacrifice He made for us. It really sat on me what a unique perspective to carry into this year. Hewitt Foundation, we are forever thankful for you. It is no accident that I stumbled across Craig and his lovely community. I am so thankful for him and the influence he has on my life, and though I haven’t met many of you, I am so grateful for all you guys do and what your foundation supports.
Madison Carter (far left):
As we celebrated the new year, one thing I kept hearing everyone say was something to the effect of “2020 was a hard year for everyone.” Which, it no doubt was a very hard year for everyone. I had the blessing of beginning the year at Passion 2020 worshipping the Savior as we rang in the new year. Everyone was so excited for what the year was going to bring and for the growth that the year would bring. However, I don’t think anyone was anticipating COVID or the effect COVID would have on our lives. But it is often in the most difficult trials and times, that we grow the most. As Shelly Giglio described at Passion 2021, before a seed can grow into a flower, it is deconstructed. It has to be broken down and taken apart to be able to flourish. For me this deconstruction came in the form of many trips being cancelled and all the disappointment that came with that. One of these trips was Passion 2021, which I had been looking forward to since Passion 2020. I remember standing in the Mercedes Benz so excited for how we were welcoming 2020 and looking forward to welcoming 2021 the same way. However, as COVID got worse, this hope seemed so unrealistic. Thanks to the Hewitt Foundation, I was able to ring in the new year the best way I can imagine. Just a few days before Christmas this year, I got the text that Passion 2021 was happening and that there were a limited number of seats available and that the Hewitt Foundation had been given a few of these spots. I quickly made arrangements to be able to attend Passion 20201 in person. While there, I was pushed in my faith by each of the incredible speakers. We were able to ring in the new year by worshipping and taking communion together. I could go on for hours about each of the speakers and what they taught me and how they pushed me in my faith. But one of the biggest takeaways that has stuck with me is taking what God gives you and giving it back to Him. When God trusts you with something, and to steward something, we are to take whatever that is and give it back to Him. Christine Caine also pushed me in my faith by discussing our anchor and how our anchor is anchored in the heavens. Passion 2021 was an incredible experience and one that I know I will look back on for years to come. Can’t wait for next year!
Jayden Slack: Passion 2021 was truly unlike nothing I have ever experienced. Being able to attend this year’s conference was truly a blessing. 2020 was a weird year, and I felt hopeless at times, sometimes I felt like I was alone; but that all changed that night. The very moment that I walked into the building, I knew something was in the air, I could feel the presence of God. For the first time in a long time I don’t feel hopeless, I feel like a brand new person. I feel like I have the power to say no to items that used to have control over me. I sat at the table with the King as the clock stroke midnight. I was with the King. God has blessed me with some amazing gifts, and this WAS my favorite one yet.
Joseph Pope (far right): Well for starters Passion 2021 was an amazing experience! My favorite part of this whole event was communion as we crossed over into the New Year starting in prayer. Also the teaching of Matt Chandler really stuck out the most and he talked about Not teasing out the wrath of God from the Love of God because it will cost you real worship.I believe the message wasn’t just for the people in the room or online it was for our country and the world. And the This was my 5th year attending Conference and I am extremely thankful to continue this tradition with the amazing opportunity from the Hewitt Foundation.
J. Scott Carter (far left): This was my first opportunity to attend a Passion Conference. I finished college in 1986 and seminary in 1991, and I think the very first Passion conference didn’t surface until 1997. So I’m a little old for this crowd (57yo). Even still my love of ministry and appreciation for great worship compelled me to participate when my daughter asked if I wanted to come along. (It is pretty cool when your college daughter still enjoys having her Dad tag along for current day concerts and conferences.)
I was aware that prior Passion conferences had drawn massive crowds of 60,000 to 70,000 students, and I new this year’s conference would be scaled way back due to Covid. I think this year only 600 people were allowed to attend in person, and those 600 were spread across 2 different venues. I understand the need for the multiple venues, and though the passion team did an amazing job flipping between the two venues, it did affect the flow of the conference. Some worship moments just can’t be replicated via video without creating the feeling of being a spectator rather than a participant. That said, I actually really enjoyed the more intimate setting for the portions of the conference that were held in our location. Again, I will say that the Passion team did an unbelievable job flipping between Venues, and worship leaders, and conference speakers that contributed from locations beyond the actual venues. It really was a technical accomplishment to have the entire conference run so smoothly from so many locations.
As for the actual sessions, I really enjoyed all the sessions, and the time flew as we jumped from worship sessions to teaching sessions in rapid fashion. This year they also introduced “round table” sessions where we got a chance to observe candid casual conversation between some of the passionate leaders in our Christian culture. By the end of the night these round table sessions actually ended up being my favorite part of the conference, in that you got to see a little more personal insight from some of the leaders.
As for the worship sessions, I think the Pasion worship team was amazing as always. My only disappointment was that the passion team lead the same passion songs in our venue from 4-6, and then they transitioned to the other venue from 9-1, and performed those same worship songs in the second portion of the night. As such, it felt a bit repetitive. I do think they introduced a couple of new worship songs that night, and maybe they just wanted to expose everyone to the new material. I was really hoping to hear Cody Carnes lead worship with his worship song “Nothing Else” but he and Kari chose 2 other songs for their worship session, and unfortunately, they were leading from the alternate venue. The best worship moment of the night actually came from the worship session with Crowder. I’m not a huge Crowder fan having seen them in concert before, but they lead worship in our venue and it proved to be a sweet moment of fellowship with the Spirit.
The teaching sessions were also encouraging, and challenging. Many of the speakers were familiar to me, but it was inspiring to hear some solid teaching from these leaders. For me the best teaching moment came during Priscilla Shirer’s session as she taught on what it means “to abide” in the father. There were other moments that moved me, but now a week later some of her comments regarding “abiding” continue to resurface in my mind.
Overall, it was a special night, and one I will remember for some time to come. Please thank the Hewitt Foundation for providing the opportunity to attend. However, on a bit broader scale, I want to thank the Hewitt Foundation for continuing to invest in the lives of college kids and making it possible for so many to participate in this conference year after year. That is a sweet ministry.
