Carley Lofton was born and raised in a Christian household. She grew up loving the Lord and going to church camp. She looks back upon those camp experiences as powerful, but for Carley those times were impactful for a season but then faded away.
But, a moment that forever changed her life was at first Pulse 100 retreat downtown Minneapolis. Pulse 100, led by evangelist Nick Hall, is a program crafted to prepare, challenge, and equip GenZ evangelists to share the Gospel throughout the globe.
Carley remembers walking into the Pulse headquarters and knew these people were different than anyone she had ever known. In the past, Carley had loving friends, but now she saw the wonder and beauty of being surrounded by 100 passionate followers of Jesus.
Throughout the first retreat in downtown Minneapolis, Carley noted “I was changed and empowered by the love I received.” Carley saw the Pulse 100 staff and GenZ members love her so well, through the care and intentionality they showed her. “They actually love, care, and have the heart of the Father. And see people the way the Lord sees people.” Carley had never felt so seen before.
Not only was this the first time Carley knew Christian community, but she saw pure worship of God like she had never seen before. Looking around her, she observed passionate worship as many raised their hands, some fell to their knees, and others smiled with such joy. “Everyone worshiped with such purity,” Carley noted. She saw the beauty of believers collectively seeking and glorifying God in the same room.
This community was different from any community she had ever known because of their authentic and moving faith.
For Carley, Pulse 100 provided fellowship that accelerated her faith beyond what she thought was possible. The Pulse 100 community, teachings, mentorship, masterclasses, and retreats all played a role in her incredibly life changing experience with Pulse 100. But, she firmly believes Pulse 100 believers had the greatest amount of impact on her life.
At Carley’s last Pulse 100 retreat in downtown Minneapolis, she stood before her cohort, mic in hand, and shared her powerful testimony. She looked around the room with a note of sadness now that her Pulse 100 experience was coming to a close. But, in her closing remarks she peered into the crowd before her and smiled saying: “The Lord changed my life because of you.”