February 10, 1999
Houston preparing for YouthLink
___By Dan Martin
___Texas Baptist Communications
___HOUSTON--More than 80 youth leaders are busy planning for the massive YouthLink 2000, expected to draw between 40,000 and 60,000 youth and their leaders to the Houston Astrodome Dec. 29-31, 1999.
___The committee on local arrangements met recently in Houston to go over all aspects of the meeting, from prayer to security to program to food.
___The program planners were led by Chris Liebrum, youth ministry consultant with the Sunday school/discipleship division of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, who isproject director for the Houston meeting. Greg and Melissa Teal, formerly youth workers with First Baptist Church of Waxahachie, are on-site coordinators.
CHECKING THE ASTRODOME on a recent visit, representatives of YouthLink 2000 are Mike Baker, Shady Oaks Baptist Church, Hurst; Danny Crocker, Graceview Baptist Church, Tomball, local site chair; Chris Liebrum, Baptist General Convention of Texas, Dallas, general chair; Linda Schoene, director of sales for the Astrodome; and Greg Teal, on site coordinator. (Photo by Dan Martin)
___Planners came from churches in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Hawaii.
___The Astrodome meeting is one of seven sites around the nation expected to draw as many as 200,000 young people to celebrate and welcome the new millennium. Other sites are St. Louis, Atlanta, Anaheim, Tampa, Denver and Philadelphia.
___"This is a once-in-a-thousand-years event for teenagers, students and their leaders to gather together," Liebrum said, adding the meeting will feature worship, theme-related Bible study, ministry opportunities, exhibits and evening services which will feature top Christian music groups and popular speakers.
___Planning for the event has been underway since the early 1990s, and it is funded by LifeWay Christian Resources, Woman's Missionary Union, the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board.
___The Astrodome meeting is expected to be the largest of the seven sites, followed closely by Atlanta and St. Louis.
___Nationwide, leaders preparing for YouthLink 2000 are monitoring closely work on the Year 2000 computer chip problem, according to co-chairpersons Dean Finley of the NAMB and Richard Ross of LifeWay.
___"Because YouthLink 2000 ends at midnight on Dec. 31, the event will be over before any potential chip problem might arise," Ross said. "Since the potential for problems is anticipated during the hours immediately following the close of YouthLink 2000, the executive steering committee feels a strong responsibility to be aware of any potential problems."
___A YouthLink 2000 website (www.youthlink2000.org) gives information about the event, including city-by-city progress toward Y2K compliance.
___Additional information about the Houston YouthLink event may be received by writing Liebrum at the BGCT, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246-1798, or by calling (888) 968-8455.
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