Dear Friends,

We look forward to seeing many of you at conferences this summer! Please note that the early bird registration for the Seeking Christ Conference in Cedar Rapids ends April 30.   

High School Guys with Zeal for God (By Harold Mally)

“I think someone is at the door,” Nickie said.

The door was locked because our bookstore wasn’t open, but I ran and opened it for the man standing there. I invited him in and he began looking around. He was middle-aged, and said his name was Tim.

Then two young guys, who were friends of Tim, also knocked on the door. When I realized they went to a nearby high school, this immediately grabbed my attention.

“Are you guys Christians?” I asked.

“Yes,” they both replied enthusiastically.

“Are there other Christians at your school?”

“Yes.”

“We’ve been wanting to start a group for guys,” Tim inserted, “but I’m new at this, I’m still learning myself, so I know I’m not the one to lead it.”

“Well,” I said, “I’ve actually been praying about starting a Bible study for high school guys. But the problem is I don’t know any guys to invite.”

“Oh, we can invite the guys if you can lead the study!” they said.

“And I’ll provide pizza,” I replied.

With excitement Tim asked, “So you’re saying that you’ve been praying about starting a Bible study with high school guys, and we just ‘happened’ to walk in the door wanting to start a group for high school guys? This is crazy!”

The truth is I had been praying specifically about this since last summer—praying in particular about high school guys. They are young and have a lot to learn, and nothing is more interesting than the Word of God. My idea was to have a Bible study each week after school here at Noah’s Archive (the Bright Lights office bookstore) and also provide pizza. But I didn’t have the time or contacts to make it happen. So I just prayed. I wasn’t sure it was a prayer God would answer. I am behind on everything else God has given me to do, so why would He give me more?  But I prayed anyway because our world needs strong, godly men. 

And now here were three guys who randomly walked in our bookstore wanting to start a Bible study for high school guys!  Tim was so excited about what God was doing that tears were streaming down his face.  We all instantly understood that God had just miraculously arranged what we were all independently praying for. 

“Let’s all keep praying about it and see what God does!” I said.

What God has done has been truly awesome. We’ve been meeting on Monday nights, and we call our group “Just Men.” The guys specified that it should be short and sweet, only one hour from 6:00 to 7:00. They also specified that after we read the Bible, they wanted to discuss other “guy things” like dating.

The first week we had five guys and me and Tim. The group has been growing and now (seven weeks later), if everyone came, we would have 20 guys and eat seven pizzas. :-) Some are believers and some are not. We have finished 2 Timothy, and now we’re in John chapter 3. We’ve had great discussions about dating, lust, anger, repentance, and forgiveness. They decided that an hour wasn’t enough and asked if we could go until 7:30. 

I am very encouraged by the spiritual interest and hunger of these young men! They say that Monday is their favorite night of the week.

I don’t know what God is going to do with this group or where it is leading, but all the guys are excited about it and want to make it grow. They are a zealous bunch of Just Men.

Seeking Christ Conference – June 13-14

Just today I (Sarah) received a letter from a young woman who shared that she attended her first Bright Lights conference when she was seven, and it was foundational for her, giving her a desire to read the Bible and serve the Lord in her youth.

In the same way, we pray that many young ladies will be impacted at the Seeking Christ Conference coming up June 13-14, in Cedar Rapids, IA. We pray that each girl who attends will grow in her love for Jesus and desire to know Him more and more! Please join us in praying for this event!

The conference is for girls ages 10-18 and their moms. We are looking forward to a special time together with sessions from God’s Word, humorous skits, real life testimonies from godly young women, crafts, music, a chalk drawing presentation, snacks, and wonderful fellowship! We hope you can join us! We would also appreciate help in passing the word to others. Please considering sharing on social media, or ask us for an email to forward or flyers to hand out in your church or community.

Learn more or register here. Early bird registration ends April 30.

Abound Still More – July 18-20

Join us at the Ark Encounter for a weekend with likeminded sisters in Christ as we learn from God’s Word and “encourage one another on to love and good works.”

Singleness is a wonderful blessing, but it can be a season of unique challenges too. Whether a woman feels called to remain single long term or whether she is waiting for God to bring her a husband, we believe this conference will encourage her deeply, give practical help as she seeks to press on in Christ, spur her on in ministry, and provide great fellowship with single sisters who are in a similar season of life!

Do you know any single ladies who would be blessed by this conference? If so, please consider sharing about it with them. :-)

For single ladies ages 17-35+. Learn more or register here.

Testify Camp – Gain Experience in Witnessing

“It surpassed expectations!” – attendee from last year
“I have less fear and more confidence” – attendee from last year
“I really enjoyed the fellowship and the sharing at the end of the night” – attendee from last year

Every year over a million people pass through the Iowa State Fair. The Testify Training camp is an amazing opportunity to reach others with the gospel and to grow in personal evangelism skills. Learn more or register here. 

This Month’s Resource – Graduation Gift Bundles

We are offering our graduation gift bundles for $20.

Gift Bundle 1 (recommended for young ladies) includes a leather keychain with text from Hebrews 11:6, one copy of Speak Truth in Your Heart and one copy of Will Our Generation Speak?

Gift Bundle 2 (recommended for young men) includes a leather keychain with text from Matthew 28:19, one copy of Will Our Generation Speak? and one copy of What if Jesus Meant What He Said?

To receive the discount, use coupon faith55. Good through June 30, 2025.

Upcoming Schedule

May 1, 2025 – Leaders’ Encouragement Zoom
May 15-17, 2025 – Answers Homeschool Experience, Ark Encounter – Bright Lights has a booth
May 25-June 4, 2025  – Nickie will be in Mexico visiting missionaries, speaking at a ladies retreat, and participating in a gospel outreach
June 13-14, 2025 – Seeking Christ Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
July 18-19, 2025 – Abound Still More Conference, Ark Encounter – Williamstown, KY  
August 1-3, 2025 – Father Daughter Camp, Waynesburg, PA – Harold, Sarah, and Andrew are speaking
August 7-11, 2025 – Testify Camp 1, Des Moines, IA
August 14-18, 2025  – Testify Camp 2, Des Moines, IA 

God bless you all!
The Mallys, Moffitts, Hancocks, and Bright Lights Staff