Virginia Theological Seminary Interview about 30 Hour Famine

30 Hour Famine: A Youth Event with Staying Power

Posted by Admin on February 24th, 2016

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t short-change your youth – they can do this. 30 Hour Famine is a convicting and moving experience.”


30 Hour Famine at St. John’s
At St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, 30 Hour Famine is more than a youth program – it’s a parish institution. An annual event for 17 years, the 30 Hour Famine invites participants to experience hunger, and to raise money for hunger relief.

Building Faith recently interviewed Jillianne Booth, the youth minister at St. John’s. On February 26th, she will once again lead about 100 teenagers and 25 adults in the 30 Hour Famine.

How would you describe the 30 Hour Famine?
30 Hour Famine is an event to raise awareness for hunger and homelessness. It is actually a nation-wide (and world-wide) program, which you can learn more about at 30hourfamine.org.

The event allows youth (middle school and high school) to fast for 30 straight hours – starting on Friday and continuing until Saturday evening. During the fast, we are all together here at the church. We worship, play games, and do service projects off campus. For many students, the most powerful part is building cardboard shelters to sleep in on Friday night. All the shelters on the front lawn of the church create a ‘cardboard village.’

What is the primary goal?
There are several goals of the 30 Hour Famine. Certainly to raise awareness for hunger worldwide, and to help our youth experience a short period of hunger. Additionally, students raise money for hunger relief by obtaining sponsorships from family and friends. The opportunity to raise money is something our church takes seriously. In 16 years we have raised over 1 million dollars – this will be year 17, and so we’re starting on the next million!

Overall, an important aspect of 30 Hour Famine is encouraging our youth to reach out to the circles of people around them. The students write personal letters to request sponsorships, and this itself is a powerful experience. Students see that can make a positive difference. Another example is that because students begin their fast on Friday during school hours, they often need to explain to their peers why they are not eating.

What ages does it work best for?
At our church, 30 Hour Famine is for grades 6-12. And I can tell you that the sixth graders handle it amazingly well. As the students get older, they can do the event every year. Some of the high school students even do a 40 Hour Famine, in which they start fasting at 2 a.m. Friday morning. In total, we have 75 to 100 students, along with 25-30 adults participating.

Around Saturday afternoon, the students do get really hungry. Of course, health and safety are priorities. We have many adult volunteers who provide support, as well as drinks, etc. We do provide some food, usually rice and beans, if students need it. But overall, they really begin to identify with those people who lack sufficient food. Throughout the event, we give our kids tools and statistics to understand hunger. We also have children’s profiles from World Vision that we show on the screen in the hall.

How do you break the fast?
We break our fast with Eucharist on Saturday evening. St John’s has a regular 5 p.m. Saturday service – so we all go to that service and the youth serve as readers, ushers, intercessors, and chalice bearers. The theme of our famine is worked into the service in various ways. After worship we have a big meal in the parish hall, with many volunteers from the church providing food and hospitality.

How do you involve the whole church community?
This is a signature event, and it has really become part of the DNA of the parish. Everyone knows about 30 Hour Famine, and we publicize it well in advance. For example, there is big sign on the church lawn with a countdown to the event. We have parish volunteers to set up, break down, cook food, and help lead service projects such as creating small bags to distribute to the homeless. We also have our night watch team that stays up on the front lawn on Friday.

Can you describe a student for whom it was a powerful experience?
We have a student who is in the 9th grade this year. He discover that he could promote the 30 Hour Famine if he he showed up at every church service and met people outside to talk about it. Even the early 7:30 a.m. service! He is there every Sunday, telling people about the Famine. To see his dedication, brought out by this event, is really moving.

Do you recommend the materials from 30hourfamine.org?
Yes, absolutely. We get the kit each year, which is free. When you sign up to do the famine, they send you materials which include lots of practical advice and planning tools. Because we have such a large event, however, we have many additional planning teams and committees (worship, food, etc). We make our own theme each year.

Any other tips and tricks?
• Get the support and buy-in from the leadership of your church.
• Then seek support and buy-in from the entire church community.
• Brainstorm with a planning team.
• Know that there are MANY little details. For example, where are we going to get the cardboard?!
• Consider a volunteer coordinator. This has been a life saver for me!

Do you have advice for someone thinking of running this program?
Just do it! Don’t be afraid. Don’t short-change your youth – they can do this. 30 Hour Famine is a convicting and moving experience; you will be glad you brought this powerful event to your church.



Jillianne Booth is the Youth Minister at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC. She has a Master’s in Christian Education from Pfeiffer University. Jillianne’s two beautiful children keep her busy and on her toes; she loves being a mom. In her spare time she tries to be like Rachael Ray and if she could have any other job in the world other than youth minister, it would be Rachael’s! Her other loves are Mexican food and flip flops.

Falling in Love with God

People who struggle to spend time with God don't have a scheduling problem, they have a love problem. Can we really fall in love with God? 100%, absolutely, yes! In fact, the formula for falling in love with Jesus is very simple ... falling in love with Jesus = time + attention.

So why is it so hard to do for some of us? It takes an extraordinary amount of work but God designed, planned, and created us for this work so we know it can absolutely be done! The effort is no different from many of the other challenging parts of a teenager's life. To be good at soccer or swimming, what does it take? To get good grades, what does it take? To have an engaging and fun social life, what does it take? To win or get the ultimate score on a video game, what does it take?

Practice, perseverance, commitment, time, and attention.

In our culture the word love gets thrown around A LOT! I love Mexican food. I love video games. I love my car. I love going shopping. I love Instagram. And on, and on, and on ... to the point that this word, love, has been kind of cheapened. It can be a challenge for teen's today to really grasp the true, intimate, and powerful meaning of love, especially hearing the words "God is love." Do we categorize that love with nachos, Call of Duty, and shoes or do we really get it?

Do we really understand, teach and model for our teens there is a God-sized hole in our hearts that ONLY the Holy Spirit can fill? Yes, it is possible to fall in love with God! It takes a ton of work. We as parents, youth advisors, and mentors can't make the teens we care so much about fall in love with God (as much as we'd like to sometimes). But we are called to make the introduction. We are called to teach and model teens how to love harder, engage more, make time, and most importantly to get over ourselves and be open to God's love.

Scripture is full of examples of God's love for us all. It is God's love letter to us. Don't know where to start with your teen in teaching them time + attention = falling in love with God? Start here:


Dear Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all of your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28).

I knew you before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:15-16).

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you; simply because you are my child and I am your father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11), for I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48) .

Every good gift that you receive comes from my good hand (James 1:17). I am your provider and I want to meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I will never stop doing good to you. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32: 40-41). For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3).

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the one who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day, I will wipe every tear from your eyes and I’ll take away the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4).

I am your father and I love you, even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate Expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). When you come home, I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7).

I have always been God and will always be God (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is, will you be mine (John 1:12-13)? I’m waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32)

<3, God Almighty