“One life, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for Christ”
The 24/7 Squad is a team of volunteers who come to Student Convention and are prepared to do anything necessary to help the SCEE staff make Student Convention successful.
Pictured: the 2018 South Pacific Student Convention squad
Squad members are usually graduates of the A.C.E. program, however sometimes students can be over 20 years of age and still at school because of the lack of educational opportunities. If these older students have a heart to serve, they could also come as volunteer Squad members. The Squad is also open to willing adults who can volunteer their time for the whole Convention. It is an opportunity for students who have been blessed by Student Convention during their school years to put something back into Convention to bless the next generation of students. Senior students who are still enrolled in a school or home school provider may be eligible to serve in a 24/7 squad somewhere other than their own region. These senior students, and their parents and/or supervisors, should contact the Events Coordinator, and their suitability will be assessed on a case by case basis. You don’t have to be an expert, just willing to serve!
History
The idea of the 24/7 Squad was birthed as a result of a Student Convention message in 2001 exhorting us to live 1 life 24 hours a day 7 days a week for Christ (1L2474C).
That message identified four elements of a 24/7 Christian lifestyle:
COMMITMENT
Jeremiah 24:7
“And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am
the Lord; and they shall be my people and I will be
their God: for they shall return unto me with their
whole heart.”
WORSHIP
Psalm 24:7
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall
come in.”
OBEDIENCE
Exodus 24:7
“And he took the book of the covenant, and read
in the audience of the people: and they said ,
All that the Lord hath said we will do, and be
obedient.”
WISDOM
Proverbs 24:7
“Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his
mouth in the gate.”
We especially celebrate the 24/7 Christian lifestyle on 24/7 Day, which is the 24th day of the 7th month (24th July) each year. We encourage everyone to take up this celebration and on that day especially contact each other to encourage and exhort one another to live their one life 24 hrs a day 7 days a week for Christ. The first 24/7 Squad served at the South Pacific A.C.E. Student Convention in 2002. Since then selection as a 24/7 Squad member has become an honour shared by many graduates, parents, teachers and senior students. These “Squaddies” have made an invaluable contribution to Conventions throughout the South Pacific, leading by example and encouraging students to continue to raise the standard for Christ as they use their gifts and talents to minister to the world around them.
The 24/7 Squad has now progressed to other A.C.E. Student Conventions around the world, with the “24/7 Team” at European A.C.E. Student Convention, “His Servants 24/7 Squad” at International Student Convention, “24/7 Squad” at the All African A.C.E. Student Convention, and the Student Convention in Singapore.
I have attended New Zealand Regional Conventions, South Pacific Student Conventions, and International Student Convention as a student in 2009.
ACE Student Convention has given me the opportunity to travel to many places, which many of my peers are yet to visit! I now have friends all around the world. Convention people have been the ones I have turned to when life has been challenging or difficult. They have become like a family to me!
As a student I learned much from attending Conventions – I have tried and accomplished many different things that I would not have done otherwise. Lyrics of songs that I learned for Convention as a student, often come to mind. I know, without a doubt, that I would not be the person I am today if I had not learnt to persist and develop certain skills, particularly in the area of public speaking e.g. suddenly making speeches at short notice. I have fond memories of the massed singing at Evening Rallies – joyfully and fun with other young people.
Yes, Convention is a lot of work and does cost money, but the benefits are totally worth the time and effort.
I have now served on the 24/7 Squad at Regional and South Pacific Conventions as I want to give something back and encourage the current students. My times on 24/7 Squad always stretch me in many ways, and I gain new skills! The past two SPSC 24/7 Squads have gelled very well. There was much hard work but there was also much fun and many blessings.
I can honestly say that after being involved at 12 conventions as both a 24/7 squaddie and a student, that they have impacted my life so powerfully. The atmosphere is incredible at each convention and it is such an encouragement to serve with like-minded christians. Being a squad member at the latest SPAC was a real life-changer and an all around fun time! Get around it!
More fun than being a student!!!