SOAR 2024 Goes "All In"!
Donny Parrish
SOAR 2024 was held at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas, July 3-5, and enjoyed huge crowds, convicting worship times, discipleship equipping and lots of fun. This 34th annual edition of SOAR, a uniquely BMA student conference, saw over 1,800 students and adults converge on Arlington for the new Loews Hotel’s first-ever student event. The theme for the week was “All In!” and the focus was on becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Souls were saved, decisions for Christ were made and almost 500 students registered to work through “Follow,” Lifeword’s new discipleship portal.
Andy Comer, lead pastor at Antioch, Georgetown, Texas, was the speaker for SOAR ’24. His messages were challenging and right on target with the students. The altar was filled after each session with students who were praying and adults who were counseling. God used Pastor Andy in an amazing way. One of the most memorable statements made by Andy was, “Stop spending time trying to figure out God’s will! Pursue holiness! Through holiness, God will reveal His will to you.”
Joe Costa, Lifeword’s broadcast partner in Beirut, Lebanon, led as speaker for the annual SOAR Mission Service. He also did a great job in challenging the students to go all in as a disciple of Jesus. After the invitation, the students were introduced to the need for a new studio for Joe and his team in Beirut. The students responded by giving an offering of over $11,000 for the project. What a blessing! The annual Midnight Meeting, led by BMA Global Director of Short-term Missions Angela Rice, saw over 400 students attend to get more details about taking a summer mission trip.
Breakout sessions were divided by gender and grade. The SOAR Breakout team members introduced students to the characteristics of a true disciple, then took them through the process of using Lifeword’s new app, Follow – an interactive, video-based tool that walks users through the basics of discipleship using easy to understand terminology and life applications. Students were taught how to go Follow, then use the app to disciple other students. Again, over 500 kids registered to be involved.
Late-night hours were spent in the SOAR Village for a time of fun and relationships. Kudos to Daniel Springs Executive Director Jason Prewitt for leading this time of fellowship. It was top shelf.
God has used SOAR for 34 years to inspire and challenge the next generation to commit, serve, worship and live for Jesus. It is a uniquely BMA event! It’s the largest gathering of BMA Baptists in the world! Thank you, BMA churches, for bringing your students.
We will return to the Loews Arlington Hotel July 2-4, 2025 for the SOAR 2025. Mark your calendars now and make plans to join us next year!