As the sun filtered through rain clouds at the Scottsville farmers market pavilion on Sunday, May 4, the air was thick with music, testimony, and a tangible sense of something sacred. The third annual Youth Awakening event concluded with a powerful worship service, bringing together hundreds of youth and adults from across central Virginia for a weekend that many described as transformative, unifying, and Spirit-led.

What began as simple prayers and conversations between a few area pastors has evolved into a regional movement. “The idea for the first one just came out of prayer and having coffee and hanging out with Pastor Michael,” recalled Dave Vogt, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, remembering his conversations with Michael Karr, who serves as the youth leader at Scottsville Baptist Church. “I have three teenagers, and I wanted them to have a deeper hunger for God… and Michael was feeling the same thing.” That shared desire sparked what is now known as Youth Awakening, a collaborative youth revival drawing churches from Scottsville to Farmville and beyond.

Vogt, who preached Saturday night, emphasized the event’s growing reach and impact: “Last night, we had almost 250 young people down here.” Groups from several denominations attended, including Methodists, Pentecostals, Churches of God, and independent churches. “It's kind of cool to see all different branches of the kingdom of God coming together with a common goal. We just want to lift up Jesus.”

From Friday to Sunday, youth heard messages on topics like surrender, the bystander effect, and the freedom found in transparency with God. For Piper, a student who attends Antioch Baptist, the teaching on “turning your secret place into a sacred place” struck a deep chord. “There’s some things you can just feel so ashamed about, but it’s not good to hide those from God,” she said. “Giving that to him and fully surrendering… that’s been big for me.”

Her peer Caroline, from Scottsville Baptist, shared a similar sentiment: “I felt like a lot of people really came to Christ, and I wanted to see more people come.”

That kind of spiritual movement was the original vision Michael Karr held in his heart. “When I started the youth group, I had a heart for the unchurched in our community,” he said. “Ninety percent of our students don’t have family who go to church. I wanted to see those kids come and be radically transformed.” And they have.

“We’ve seen people come out of that bar right behind where we’re standing now—people who were intoxicated—come over and worship with us,” Karr shared. “Adults come down and turn their back on what the world says is true. It’s incredible to watch.”

This openness—to God, to one another, to healing—is what defines Youth Awakening. Mel Brice, FCA representative for several Virginia counties, observed, “Inside here is like a barrier. Kids can come in and take their walls down… Whether it’s self-harm or suicide or ‘I’m not enough,’ this area is just so protected by God.”

And the event is no longer just a once-a-year gathering. “We started doing monthly events too,” said Vogt. “But this weekend…this is kind of the Super Bowl of our youth gatherings.” The organizing churches now include Scottsville Baptist, Mulberry Grove, Effort, Bybee’s Road, Beaver Dam, and Antioch. “We can do more together than we can alone,” he said.

The community has taken notice. The town allowed the pavilion to be used for free, local businesses donated food and treats, and the Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department filled the baptismal tank at no cost. “It’s been an awesome community collaboration,” said Vogt.

Skip Wallace, a BGAV field strategist who supports churches in the region, praised the grassroots nature of the event. “These churches don’t have full-time youth pastors, but they came together. If churches in other regions are interested in doing something like this, they should contact these guys and just talk with them. It’s been exceptional.”

For Lily, a student who’s attended all three years, the draw is simple: “Meeting new people and building a community…everybody surrendering and all coming together.” Adult leaders like Zach Oder are committed to guiding youth toward God’s path: “Just making sure all these kids… don’t get caught up in the drugs, the alcohol… but just follow their faith.”

And for parents like Laura Vogt, the event is nothing short of a gift. “It’s just been incredible to see [my kids] worshipping with their peers…surrounded in community,” she said. “And in doing that, my kids will watch me and learn from my example.”

As the final song echoed through the pavilion and teens raised their hands in worship, the message was clear: Youth Awakening is more than an event—it’s a movement of revival, relationship, and relentless hope.

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