The GLOW Conference 2012 was a student leadership conference held August 16-18 at Molloy College's Madison Theater in Rockville Centre, NY.

The GLOW in the Dark conference (which is its full name), in its second year, is the work of H.E.V.N. (Help End Violence Now) Coalition, a faith-based organization presenting community service opportunities to students, youth, and young adults.

James Mackey, a quirky fellow, is the visionary of the GLOW Conference and has a deeper conviction and call that goes beyond just one weekend during the summer. He presently serves as the Youth Pastor of The Tabernacle of Joy Church in Uniondale, NY under the leadership of his parents: Bishop J. Raymond Mackey, Sr. and Co-Pastor Brenda Mackey. They are a spiritual covering that has aided in birthing such exploits for God. James' father, Bishop Mackey, also serves as the director of the H.E.V.N. (Help End Violence Now) Coalition and addressed the GLOW Conference, imparting wisdom and standing in the gap as a spiritual father over a generation.

A great sense of anticipation and excitement filled the air at the Madison Theater as the GLOW Conference 2012 kicked off. Young people made their way from all over the city to lift up the name of Jesus and gain strength to shine in this dark world. The GLOW Conference staff were ready to greet all attendees and assist with registration; many pre-registered but a good number of walk-ins occurred.

The GLOW Conference worship team led by Greater Allen A.M.E. worship leader Linny Smith gave exuberant praise, engaging the audience to honor the King of kings. The eight-voice ensemble represented various local ministries within the city backed by an anointed full band including a live DJ. The added visual components on the projector behind the team made for an excellent all-around presentation. One of the worship songs that truly struck a chord was 'I am alive'.

'Awake my soul to sing'

The song cries out to God to illuminate our spirits so that He shines through us -- a fitting song to declare the heart of the GLOW Conference. The night had some of NYC's finest hip-hop ministries blessing the stage to encourage those in attendance to shine for Christ.

One of the groups were Misfit NYC of Youth Explosion, an extension of Christ Tabernacle in Queens, NY. The church has a vibrant youth ministry where youth come out in droves on any given Friday night. They are under the leadership of Pastor Michael Durso. Misfit NYC ministered their single 'Ready for Life,' which admonishes the believer to be armed for warfare against those things we cannot see.

Nassau County Legislator Francis Becker alongside Bishop Mackey took the stage to greet the GLOW attendees and speak life over them. Becker spoke with fervent passion declaring "you are a gift from God and you have a purpose in this life." He spoke of how he does not allow his seat in government to nullify his relationship with Christ, which supersedes anything else.

Douglas 'Blessed' Sheppard was the main speaker for the night. Broken Chainz band, an anointed band who recently reached #1 on mtv.com for most shared video, ministered to prepare the way for the Word. Broken Chainz declared an atmosphere of freedom, "I'm tired of being anointed and appointed in captivity," said band leader Jerry 'Juice' Alexidor. The rock-infused gospel went forth praising the most high God as hands were lifted throughout the theater. The band closed out singing 'Hallelujah, you have won the victory,' making a declaration that Jesus is Lord.

The atmosphere was right for Blessed to share what God laid on his heart. The message was a word of exposure to the body of Christ, a call to repentance for not living up to where God has called us. The story of Jonah was the basis of his message, showing how Jonah had an attitude, was stubborn, and suffered from self-idolatry. Blessed paralleled Jonah's state of mind to many of us today,so deep in our own wrongs that we are of no affect in the body of Christ.

"Idolatry is a work of the flesh, thus you are not working in the spirit."

Blessed encouraged audiences to have a heart change and a posture change, moving from arrogant to humble, so that we may be used by God in these last days. A call was made for repentance as the altar filled up with young people crying out to God.

The second night of the GLOW conference started right where the previous night left off. A high spirit of worship was evident in the theater as the praise team sang to the glory of God. They declared freedom in the atmosphere and boasted about the love of God.

'When only love could make a way. You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange.
Holy are you God. Holy is Your name.
With everything I got, my heart will sing how I love you'

Jesus' sacrifice and love were rapped about as God's Own (G.O.) and C.H.R.I.S. ministered through rhythmic flows respectively. They spit bars over hot tracks, passionately delivering metaphors for His glory. C.H.R.I.S.'s single 'Victorious' with Bronx native Co Campbell reaffirmed the place we stand in life as long as we follow Jesus. This was a poignant encouragement for the attendees to continue to GLOW in the midst of darkness.

A sentiment that was truly emphasized at GLOW 2012 was being that change and light in the world.

Anthony Artis attended both nights and had an up close and personal seat as a photographer for the conference. Artis said he was extremely blessed by the conference and happy he was able to be a part.

"We're going public. We are to be a 'Light on a Hill'. You have to stay in communication with the quarterback(God) so you know the plays(direction). Concentrate on your role," he said.

The Broken Chainz Band ministered before the Word again on Friday night. The last song the band ministered was 'Come into the Light," a high energy ode to come to Jesus. The next voice heard was the messenger for the night, Jovita Sheppard.

She read from Psalm 119:105-112, highlighting verse 105, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Sheppard, who is also a Christian pop artist, took extra care to point out the background of the writer of this particular Psalm and the pattern in which the Psalm was written.

The various subheadings in Psalm 119 follow the Hebrew alphabet in order. The writer was a devout Israelite with a passion for the Word of God. As verse 105 states, it is the very Word of God that illuminates this Israelite's life. Sheppard declared for this generation to illuminate the world, they must have the Word of God embedded in their spirits. His Word is His very thoughts and holds sustaining power.

"You got to be in My Word, if you want to illuminate the dark places."

As Sheppard expounded upon the Word of God, she defined light as the source of illumination or the illuminator. It produces radiance; it is something that makes things visible. The unique characteristic of light is it dispels the darkness wherever it is. This was a mighty charge to the GLOW conference to be that light that shines in the darkness, full of the light of His Word to have substance to minister to a dying world.