Expectant. One simple word to describe the energy as thousands waited to enter the Fillmore Theater on South Beach. Expectant to see God move. Expectant to see the Holy Spirit poured out. Expectant to see revival, breakthrough, and healing come through a weekend of close fellowship. VOUS Conference 2018 surpassed our expectations as we saw Miami transformed. Over 2,500 people gathered to encounter God, equip the local church, and empower next generation leaders. VOUS Conference 2018 was a mission, one that could not have been accomplished through ordinary efforts. We couldn't have done this in our own strength, So God Came to Us.[cta heading="Early Bird Special" subtext="Catch the early bird rate of $100 for VOUS Conference 2019" actiontext="Get Tickets" link="http://vousconference.com/"]

VOUS Conference came together in a beautiful array of worship, creativity, and celebration. We lifted one another up in prayer and exhortation, boldly proclaiming the powerful name of Jesus. What made VOUS Conference truly special were the incredible leaders and speakers we got to hear from. We leaned in as each speaker brought biblical truth and profound wisdom, touching on matters that so many of us are dealing with. Continue reading below for a recap of some of the gems from each session.

Rich Wilkerson Jr: Down and Out

We live in a world consumed with looking good on the outside while disregarding the condition of what is inside. People go to extreme measures to project an outward appearance that only masks the brokenness inside. In truth, every one of us has a God shaped hole of longing and spiritual need in our hearts. So God Came to Us. In Jesus, we have a mediator who bridges the gap between our human weakness and the righteousness of God (1 Timothy 2:5). The great chasm that once stood before us has been shut forever, allowing us to experience peace and strength in close fellowship of God.

DawnCheré Wilkerson: Eye to Eye

When God came to us, he didn't come as a cloud, angel or mystical being. God came to us in the form of Jesus, who was all God and all man, the only sinless person to walk the earth. In doing so, God demonstrated that he is perfectly capable, not only of understanding our every need but also fulfilling them as well. Just look at the many names of God to learn that his names reveal who he is, serving as pathways to his heart. Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Immanuel, God among us. We serve a God who isn't seeking to punish or abandon us but is seeking to draw us closer, so that we may see him eye to eye.

Brooke Ligertwood Interview with Pastor Rich

If preaching is a catalyst for change, conversations are the vehicles that affect that change. One such example was an illuminating interview between Brooke Ligertwood and Pastor Rich. Brooke bore her soul as she shared her testimony of wisdom gained through inviting God into every aspect of her life. She spared no detail as she vividly recounted the metallic taste of an unsatisfying life before Christ. Speaking on experiences within an industry built on ambition and acclaim, Brooke encouraged us not to follow our dreams but to follow Jesus. We are ordinary people with an extraordinary friend in Jesus.

Erwin McManus: Nothing is Wasted

In nature nothing is wasted. That is God’s design. He creates life with powerful interconnection. God uses every experience, good and bad, just like a garden’s complex root system to nurture in something productive and new. While society defines people by their worst moments and views them as useless, God doesn’t do that. He takes those negative moments and catapults us toward the path he has set for us. Our mistakes do not define what our futures hold, and so we simply cannot allow failure to seep into our very souls. Rather than thinking of missteps as lost opportunities, it is better to view them as fertilizer meant to shape and grow us into our God given destiny. With God, nothing’s wasted.

John Gray: Relentless

Ask yourself two simple questions. Who do you love the most? What would you do to save that person? In the cross, we see God's answer plain and clear. God's relentless love for us is exactly why we can't treat our relationship with God casually. God pursued us outside of time, space, and eternity. He ran after us when we weren't even looking. God sees value beyond our brokenness, treating us as finished products. Appreciate the layers of pursuit that brought you to this exact moment; love was and always will be at the root of that pursuit. [rev_slider VOUSConf2018]VOUS Conference 2018 was a life-changing experience. Our expectancy collided with God's abundance, leaving us spiritually hungry and inspired like never before. As we look ahead to 2019, we can't wait to journey into a new frontier. Not only will next year be the 10th anniversary of VOUS Conference, it will also mark a year of exciting change! For the first time ever, VOUS Conference will be held in the Watsco Center located in Coral Gables, with seating for over 7,000 people! We're believing that God is going to move in incredible ways as we prepare our hearts for what the future holds. The Best is Yet to Come![cta heading="Shop VOUS Conference Merch" subtext="Apparel from the VOUS '18 Collection available online" actiontext="SHOP NOW" link="https://merch.vouschurch.com/"]