Teens staying up all night to study the Bible? "We stayed up Thursday night 'til 4:30 a.m. studying... I learned I can talk to God," says Marc.

Teens learning to trust? "Before I came, I was really struggling with God. I didn’t want Him. My mom made me come, and I am so glad I did. The Bible study and prayers were really good. I am willing to give it another shot," says Wendy.

Teens encouraging teens? "I’ve never seen so many people on fire for Christ," says Rachel.

More than 150 youth attended the sixth conference-sponsored Back to the Basics Youth Prayer Conference, March 5-7, hosted by Fresno Adventist Academy. Young adult college students, raised and mentored in Central, led out in the three-day event, providing a rich environment to discover or deepen a friendship with God.

"We want to see teenagers experience God," says Steve Hamilton, Bakersfield Hillcrest Church associate pastor and Janet Page, conference prayer ministries director. "We want to see kids not just entertained but to know God." They believe the best way for that to happen is to get youth involved in prayer, the Word of God and outreach.

A conference highlight was a study of Isaiah 58 followed by an afternoon of community outreach opportunities. Participants — teens, sponsors and leaders — volunteered at nine Fresno locations, including Habitat for Humanity, Community Food Bank, SPCA and Boys and Girls Club.

"The whole community service was amazing how God could work through all of us," says Gilbert.

Sponsors Experience Blessings Too

"At first my kids were excited about going," says Yolanda Urbina, youth leader at the Visalia Bilingual Church. But as the weekend grew closer, most had changed their minds. The mostly public school group were busy with other activities, and missing school on Friday complicated matters.

Discouraged, Urbina could think of many reasons not to go. "I have a very bad back and wasn’t looking forward to sleeping on the gym floor," she says. Still, she persevered. By the time her group arrived, there were seven.

When she learned her service assignment was at Poverello House, she knew she was in trouble. Standing on hard floors all afternoon preparing meals would be impossible with her back. And working with teens she didn’t know was scary. After they prepared 300 burritos, 500 sandwiches, 300 sack lunches, plus a dinner meal for 300, she was amazed at how good she felt and how well it went. No pain killers were needed. "I need to do this more often," she says. "It’s the best therapy I’ve ever had!"

Listening to the testimonies of the youth on Saturday evening, Urbina knew she was in the right place. "I’d come empty, but now my heart and spirit were filled. I was blessed." So were her teens who have shared their experience with their church family and are planning to continue their spiritual growth through outreaches at home. And they are planning to bring more of their friends to next year’s conference.

"It is so exciting to see the changes [in the youth]," says Page. "And they are hungering to know more!" At Modesto Adventist Academy, Bible teacher Jennifer Pattengill is thrilled with both new and inspired spiritual leaders. Since the conference, one student has faithfully led out in a Thursday lunch-time Bible study. And others are continually seeking new prayer and outreach opportunities.

From "cool Bible studies" to personal encounters with God, the prayer conference was life-changing. Like for Masha, who says she didn’t really believe in God. After being surrounded by peers who did, her mind was changed. "It was an awesome experience and made me closer to God."

The next youth prayer conference will be at Modesto Adventist Academy Nov. 4-7, 2004. For more information, contact Janet Page at japage@cccsda.org.