Conference comes to Purdue campus

By Tom McHenry
Summer Editor

The nearly barren campus of Purdue in the summer has been overrun by nearly 6,000 teenagers.

As part of the Evangelical Free Church Challenge 2000, the youths have come to worship, provide service to the Lafayette community, and better themselves.

The Evangelical Free Church Challenge 2000 brings together 7th-to 12th-graders from churches all over the United states. Over 1,250 churches are part of the loose association of churches that make up the Challenge 2000.

Jeff Piehl, president of Challenge 2000, said the purpose of the conference was "to challenge kids to get out of their comfort zone and radically obey Christ."

Piehl has been head of the organization for more than two years and knows the length of his tenure down to the hour. Piehl began working in youth groups in high school and eventually went to graduate school to become a youth pastor.

This Challenge is held bi-annually and alternates locations between Purdue and Colorado. Scott Ludcht, attended two years ago in Colorado and said, "It's a great time."

The program has been structured similar to its current incarnation since 1986. This year boasts the largest number of attendees, though. According to Piehl, there has been a 10 percent growth rate since the last conference two years ago.

The Challenge mixes a wide variety of activities to meet the needs of each of its attendees.

Morning rallies featuring music, readings, and prayer bring the energy level up in preparation for the upcoming day.

These morning rallies were described by Piehl as "incredible." Thursday morning's rally saw participants waiting outside of Elliott Hall of Music more than a half hour before the doors even opened. While waiting, the teens bustled with a nervous excitement and mingled with friends. Some even began singing hymns and clapping along in anticipation of the rally.

The rallies themselves have the feeling of a rock concert. But a rock concert about more than music. One attendee from Nebraska went onstage to describe how prayer and the Challenge had helped him cope with his drinking problem and kept him sober.

Athletic competitions, community service activities, and even an art show are also provided to participants.

Community service activities for the Lafayette community include a free car wash, painting house numbers on curbs, performing in nursing homes and participating with children in the day care.

The nearly 6,000 participants are housed in Purdue's Residence Halls and use Elliott Hall of Music and the Armory for activities.

"It's a lot of work but we have a great Purdue family that pulls it all together," Kathy Hyman, coordinator of Challenge 2000.

This year's theme is "Bring it on!" and decorates the campus from banners to t-shirts.

"Bring it on- Bring on the world. Bring on the next year. Bring on the next millennium. We want to live like Jesus," Piehl said.

"(Challenge 2000 and Purdue) kind of have to work hand in glove because they organize their content and they give it to us and we find places and a location for them to do it," Hyman said.

Phil Erwin, an attendee who's participated in the Challenge three times before, said, " It's something amazing to take part in and worship in and have something to take home."

One of the most important points of the Evangelical Free Church of America Challenge 2000, Piehl said, is "reaching out to the unlovely, caring for the down and out, the poor, the homeless- those who are not usually in our sight."

To this end, twice as many participants as previous years are involved in community outreach to Lafayette.

"We want (the Challenge participants) to get off their comfortable couches and see the world the way that Jesus does and act accordingly. We want the city of West Lafayette to know that Jesus loves them," Piehl said.