Youth Alive Australia

Youth Alive is a not-for-profit multi-denominational Christian organization dedicated to reaching the youth of Australia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is run on a state-based structure with offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. They carry the mission to reach the youth of Australia in both metropolitan and regional centres through positive life-choice seminars in schools, regional rally events, and state-wide rallies.

Youth Alive is also dedicated to training up the next generation of youth leaders and equipping youth groups and leaders around the state to most effectively reach the youth in their area. Youth Alive hosts large scale evangelistic events, making united stands for righteousness, that see young people impacted with the Gospel and making decisions for Christ.

History

The concept for Youth Alive was formed in 1982 at a camp in Victoria. It was birthed out of a genuine concern and passion for reaching young Australians with a positive message. This concern was being felt in a similar fashion in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, and in June 1986, youth leaders from around the nation met in Melbourne to discuss plans to make an impact on this issue. Out of this meeting Youth Alive was formed with its first National director, Mal Fletcher. In later years, the Youth Alive model was taken to the United Kingdom and named Youth Alive UK. Currently, Glyn Barrett is the UK National Director of regions including Scotland, Wales and England.

During 2002 and 2003 Youth Alive Tasmania moved their focus from large state-wide rallies to travelling among small towns in the state bringing their message and music to young people in regional areas.In 2004, the most successful state rally was held at the Silverdome with record number attendance. American evangelist Reggie Dabbs spoke.

Events

Big Events

Youth Alive Big Events are drug and alcohol free events that take place across Australia at various times during the year. Each state holds a number of major events every year varying in attendance from 500 to 15,000 with most attendees aged between 12 and 25. The style of each event may vary dramatically but generally includes exceptional music, dance and drama performances, competitions, multimedia presentations, motivational speaking, giveaways and guest artists. The purpose of these Big Events is to provide an outstanding night out for teenagers and young adults, that promotes positive life choices.

Exo Days

the states big event is titled "Big Exo" or similar. Often as part of the school based exo days, guest bands and guest speakers appearing that weekend at the Big Exo will visit different schools during the week.

The main theme of Exo is "Life is Excellent" and students running these days in their schools are encouraged to run activities and events that demonstrate that Life is Excellent.

While Youth Alive Tasmania does not run Exo days, the organisation has taken bands and speakers into local high schools prior to annual rallies to promote the event and reach out to those who may not attend. In 2006, Darrell Scott, father of Columbine High School victim Rachel Scott spoke in several Launceston high schools at the invitation of Youth Alive.

Leadership Training

One of Youth Alive Australia's main goals is to empower youth ministries across Australia and develop young people in their potential. In many states Leadership training events are held throughout the year to encourage and build up youth leadership teams.

Youth Alive Queensland does this by running Leadership breakfasts around the state throughout the year. Youth Alive Victoria runs an annual leadership conference each year at Richmond AOG. Youth Alive Tasmania does this by holding annual Youth Leader training days.

Music

Over the years many worship albums have been released by Youth Alive. Youth Alive WA's 2006 release, is "All of the Above" while Youth Alive Queensland's 2006 release is titled "Selfless". Youth Alive Victoria recorded an album titled "Free" in September 2006 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Youth Alive NSW released many albums in the mid to late 90's through Hillsong Music until Hillsong United began releasing their own youth worship albums in 1999. However in 2001, Youth Alive Alive NSW released an independent album titled "Elevate" which was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Youth Alive SA also released many albums as well, but with the growing popularity of the youth conference Planetshakers, then held in the same state, many of the Youth Alive musicians, including Henry Seeley, Mike Guglielmucci and Sam Evans, wrote songs for the albums recorded at the conference. Planetshakers has since moved its ministry to Melbourne.

Youth Alive Tasmania has released one CD titled 'Mediator' in 1999. It's style was slightly different from that of other states, featuring a sound rich with brass. The album featured a studio set as well as a live set.

Albums

Youth Alive NSW

:# Jump to the Jam (1994):# Chosen One (1996):# The Plan (1998):# One (1999):# Awake (2000):# Elevate (2001)

Youth Alive QLD

:# Burn:# Hero:# Forever (EP) (2004):# Selfless (2006):# God is for me (2008)

Youth Alive SA

:# Fire it Up:# Aliens from Planet Worship:# Buzzsaw (EP):# Shake:# Phenomena

Youth Alive Tas

:# Mediator

Youth Alive Vic

:# Witness Protection Program (1999):# Free (2006)

Youth Alive WA

:# Huge (1998):# Rescue (EP) (2004):# Shout Your Glory (2005):# All of the Above (2006):# Long Story Short (2007)

ee also

*Planetshakers
*Hillsong United
*Youth alive ghana

External links

* [http://www.youthalive.com.au Youth Alive website]
* [http://www.exoday.com Exo Day website]
* [http://www.youthalivetas.com.au/site/index.php Youth Alive Tasmania]
* [http://www.youthaliveghana.org Youth Alive Ghana]
* [http://www.youthaliveuk.com Youth Alive UK website]