About

In 2006, what began simply as a burden for the youth of Maggie Valley became a vision of an evangelistic meeting for the youth of Haywood County. March 26^th – 29^th, 2006 the vision became a reality as churches across Haywood County united for the “Ignite 2006 Youth Explosion”. The venue for the event was the Stompin’ Ground Dance Hall in Maggie Valley, N.C..

Leading worship was Carl Cartee and his praise band from Nashville, Tennessee, “3D” (Dramatic Difference Drama) from Sevierville, Tennessee, and the “Leap of Faith” praise team from Haywood County. Evangelist Clayton King from Boiling Springs, N.C. did the preaching.

The response to the meeting was phenomenal each evening. Attendance was estimated to be 1,500 – 1,800 each night and well over 2,000 present for the last service! Over 300 Professions of Faith were recorded, and there were more than 550 total decisions made!

A request came the last night of the meeting for us to have the meeting again but to move the location to the Asheville Civic Center. After much prayer and consideration of God’s will, we felt we were not ready to take the event to Asheville. We believed our Lord would have us take the meeting to the counties surrounding Asheville first. There we could gather an army of youth and adults and get them praying and working for the meeting in Asheville. Then, in God’s timing, we could go to the Civic Center.

Since that initial meeting in March of 2006, other “Ignite” events have been held at Lake Junaluska, Western Carolina University, Maggie Valley, Cherokee, Andrews(2) Brevard, Mars Hill College(2), Spruce Pine(2), Asheville, and Marion. There have been 14 events throughout Western N.C. so far. Over 2,000 youth and adults have made Professions of Faith, and more than 475 have announced their calling to ministry and missions! Altogether there have been more than 2,800 total decisions recorded in the meetings!

Now the door has been opened widely for us to go to the Asheville Civic Center April 30^th – May 2^nd , 2010 for a 3 day event. Contracts have been signed, and plans are being formulated even now to make this meeting a reality. Between 6,000 and 7,000 youth and adults are expected each evening, and we are trusting the Lord for at least 2,000 Professions of Faith during the meeting!