An Enthusiastic History

The "I'm Enthusiastic about the PC(USA)!" Movement was initiated by Tyler Ward in response to the Christ's call through the Holy Spirit. At the April, 2004 meeting of the National Presbyterian Youth Ministry Council (a branch of the Presbyterian Youth Connection), he proposed the Movement to the Council saying,"Great ministry is going on in the PC(USA)... Sure, there is controversy in the church, and it needs to be addressed, but we shouldn't loose sight of the great work of the PC(USA). There are lots of positive ministries…" The Council endorsed the Movement with joy.

The first move, according to Tyler, would be to take the 216th General Assembly by storm. Tyler and other Youth Council members would attend the Assembly in order to spread the message of enthusiasm.

And did Tyler and company ever spread the message of enthusiasm?! They distributed over 4000 buttons, more than 3000 stickers and quickly sold 50 shirts.

The Enthusiastic Movement was a force at the 216th General Assembly in Richmond Virginia. People on all sides of political and theological debates were unified through their enthusiasm for the PC(USA). For example, during open debate, the conference camera would zoom in on a speaker articulating their opinion. They wore an "Enthusiastic" shirt. Then, the camera would pan to someone else that was on the opposite side of the debate. On their hat was an "Enthusiastic" button.

The Enthusiastic Movement even reached the Moderator at General Assembly. Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216th General Assembly concluded his election speech by saying, "…and I'm very enthusiastic about the PC(USA)!"

There's More:

"I'm Enthusiastic about the PC(USA)!" buttons from General Assembly were shared with congregations and presbyteries all over the States and Puerto Rico.

A youth group from Ft. Myers, FL sported 50 new Enthusiastic shirts to Rock the Universe, a night of Christian music and fellowship at Universal Studios.

In October 2004, the "I'm Enthusiastic about the PC(USA)!" website was established: www.pcusamovement.org

An annual retreat in the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina was recently renamed "I'm Enthusiastic about the PC(USA)!"

Winter Sonshine, a youth retreat in the Presbytery of Florida recently printed the Enthusiastic Logo on event T-Shirts for around 70 senior highs.

The Enthusiastic Movement would like to thank all those who have already supported the movement, financially or otherwise. Without the support of such individuals, churches, and presbyteries, the movement would not have a history to report.

We extend a special thanks to the folks and churches in Transylania Presbytery who provided the financial foundation for the Enthusiastic Movement. The Movement's debut at the 216th General Assembly was made possible by large churches and small churches, poor churches and wealthy churches, conservative Presbyterians and liberal Presbyterians from Translavania Presbytery. According to Tyler Ward, "When I started getting $200 dollar checks in the mail, I thought to myself,"Wow- this is really going to take off!"