Share this story.

Ignite 2009: The Rest of the Story

By Rachel Wegner 07

---

Click Photo to Enlarge Tag team. Tess Holtzclaw 08 shares about her work with TOMS Shoes, an organization that donates a pair of shoes for every pair purchased. David Lewis (right) then took his turn to explain the heart and vision behind Falling Whistles, which is involved with freeing and rehabilitating children forced into a rebel army in the Congo.

Click Photo to Enlarge On point. Micah Davis 05 is no stranger to the Ignite stage; he is a brother of Ignite co-founder Selah (Davis) Hirsch 03. He also helped direct the conference during his senior year. Davis returned this year to talk about ROOV.com, a Web site dedicated to connecting people within their churches and cities.

Behind the scenes, there was a small army of people making sure that Ignite 2009 was a success. From directors to organization representatives to returning alumni who were Ignite veterans, they had a lot to say about this year's conference.

The Directors: Chad King and Joy Gooch

Seniors Joy Gooch and Chad King took the helm of Ignite 2009, directing the leadership team and putting in long hours to get the conference off the ground. They took a moment to talk about their team and how they felt the conference came together.

Tell me more about the quality of your leadership team this year.

Chad: "You get a unique type of leader. They're not getting paid; it's all volunteer. You really get people committed to what we're trying to do. Everyone really took ownership of what they were doing."

What did Ignite 2009 mean to you personally?

Joy: "All three years of my experience with Ignite has really showed me and encouraged me to keep dreaming. That's really what Ignite is about--being a leader and stepping out. I really believe one person can make a difference and do something big."

The Organizations

Falling Whistles

David Lewis came to Ignite 2009 as a representative for Falling Whistles, a nonprofit organization started by young people and dedicated to aiding in the rescue and rehabilitation of children forced to be soldiers in Congo, Africa. Learn more at www.fallingwhistles.com.

What stood out to you about the students and conference attendees you've encountered?

"There are so many young people here that have visions and passions and are just looking for an outlet for that. People seem to realize that changing the world doesn't take four hours of volunteering or one purchase or one donation. It takes a lifestyle over the next 40, 50 or 60 years. People [at ORU] seem to recognize the value of making a difference in the world and that the value of what people do in life is not just found in a dollar amount."

TOMS Shoes

Tess Holtzclaw 08 interned at TOMS Shoes from August 2008 to December 2008, where she helped coordinate many of its events across the country. As a veteran of the Ignite leadership team, Holtzclaw spearheaded the effort to get social justice organizations involved with Ignite during her senior year. TOMS Shoes is an organization that, for every pair of shoes it sells, donates shoes to children who need them. Find out more at www.tomsshoes.com.

What was it like to come back to Ignite this year? What were you thinking and feeling as you watched it happen?

"Once you're part of Ignite, it's like a family. Every year, all the directors come back and get to continue to see Ignite change. It was so much of who I was and something I was passionate about. I almost wanted to cry, seeing how much that idea that started with our group last year carried on and how it's become such a part of what Ignite is. It made me feel humbled. It left me speechless to realize we do make [an] impact and our actions really can create change and legacies. You're always told that, but whenever you come back and see something continued that was a part of your dream continued without you even being there, it's such a surreal feeling."

The Alumni: A Former Director's Perspective

Former Ignite director Micah Davis 05, brother to Ignite co-founder Selah (Davis) Hirsch 03, came to Ignite to reunite with old friends, network with new people and speak on behalf of ROOV.com. Davis and a few other fellow alumni founded ROOV.com as a Web site to help better connect people in their churches and communities. Interacting with the many Ignite 2009 leadership team members, Davis was impressed with how the conference was executed.

What are your thoughts on how the team pulled it together this year?

"I think they did a great job. I love the theme ("A Call to Action") because it really encourages students to not just come to the event, but to look beyond that and say, 'How is this part of my life? What's God put in my heart? What am I going to do about it?'"