We wanted to take a few minutes to invite you to an exciting conference specifically designed for younger Vineyard risk-takers—the 2009 Cause To Live For, Cause To Die For Conference. The kingdom of God really is a cause to live and die for. And as John Wimber used to say, “Faith is spelled RISK.” This is the fifth time that we’ve put on the Cause Conference and we are thrilled to get to be a part of watching God move powerfully in the lives of people who will simply take a risk to follow Christ where ever he calls them.

In the past this has only been a Midwest regional event. This was not because we didn’t like the rest of the country. We just didn’t think anybody else would want to come. Well we were wrong. Many others have asked us to open this event up to anyone and everyone from all around the country. So here you go, we’d love to have you visit the Midwest! Take a look at what one person wrote about thier experience at the Cause:

When I entered my freshman year of college, I had a long journey ahead of me, and no doubts in my mind. As a pre-med major, I knew that it would be a long time before I could fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a wealthy, highly-respected family practice doctor. But, God had other plans. At the Cause conference in 2002, I felt like God picked me up, turned me upside-down, and shook all of my grand plans out of my head. Then he put his plan in. “Kyle,” he told me. “I don’t want you to be a doctor. I have better plans. Get out of pre-med. I want you to focus on Spanish now, because you are going to plant churches for me in Latin America.” I wrestled with God the whole weekend. I walked probably half a dozen times around the church block arguing with God. “But, God, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I spent my free time in high school hanging out in the ER learning from doctors there. Pastors don’t make any money!” But, by the end of the conference, God won. He gave me total peace. I didn’t know how everything would work out, but I knew that he was in control of my life, and I would rather surrender to him than try to follow my plan.

This year the Cause Conference is going to be held in Duluth, MN on August 5-8, 2009. We'll have a flyer with the schedule available very soon. Click here to let us know that you'll be attending!

God is looking for people who will lay down their lives, embrace God’s cause and truly live out the kingdom of God. There are many worthy causes calling out for our attention, which one will you serve?