¿Que es BigStuf?
What is BigStuf you ask (in Spanish)? WOW! How can I even begin to explain how awesome this organization is. First and Foremost, BigStuf is a Chrisitan organization based out of Alpharetta, Georgia. BigStuf was founded in 1987 (I was one years old!) as Youth Ministry Resources (which is still what they go by). Their conferences have not always been known as BigStuf though, “Goodstuf was started byLanny Donoho, Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley and was later known to be bigstuf in 1994, the bigstuf band consists of the best musicians in christian music today (BigStuf myspace).” And when they say the best musicians, that is no lie! Steve Free, Eddie Kirkland, Kristian Stanfill, Davis Harwell, Casey Darnell, Rick Pearson, are just a few of the people who have graced the stage with their talent. BigStuf makes such a BIG difference, that Jeff Foxworthy has been a part of the camps for the past few years, often making trips to Kenya to show people back here the reality going on in third-world countries.
But beyond the significant people that are involved with BigStuf, the impact the conferences have on students and youth ministries is beyond belief. Compassion International has partnered up with BigStuf for the past many years allowing all their Kenyan Compassion in need of a sponsor to only be available during the summer at the camps. Lanny’s vision is to see all the kids of Kenya to be sponsored by those who attend the camps. But Lanny was so much touched by Kenya that he began the 410 Bridge in 2006. 410 Bridge is another Non-Profit orgnization that seeks to use churches and people to bring hope and help to communities in Kenya. I was able to see some of their work in 2007 when I went with BigStuf and 410 Bridge to Kenya. Lanny began a new internship that would take college students over to Kenya to begin a transformation where one day he hopes to see thousands of college studets working alongside Kenyans to show the Glory of God to the rest of the world. During the time of my internship, Lanny and the gang worked hard to get a choir of Kenyan children together called “The Daraja Children’s Choir.” After a rough start, the first group of kids made their way to America. The imact over the past 3 years from these group of children has changed everyone’s lives.
The Conferences (or Camps) BigStuf does each summer up to a few years ago were only in Panama City. After a test-try in Daytona, there now is two camp locations. Why is the camp so special beyond the people and music? One, it is the beach! Both camps are right on the ocean, which is beautiful and BIG, much like our Creator. Two, the theme and subsequent messages given throughout the camp are amazingly simple, but profoundly life-changing in that they make the content so applicable to our lives. While at camp you are isolated from your worries, home, and work. It is easy to focus on God and His plan for your life. That is some BigStuf!!!
- Trent
BigStuf 2009 Promo
