After nine months in school, you’d think that summer school would be the last thing a teenager would choose to do. But once the curriculum was announced the three Ss — solitude, study and service — the first-time three-week summer intensive quickly filled to capacity.

Twenty-three teens attended. Some invited friends and cousins to join in. Their reason: “To get closer to God.”

For Caitlynn Matthews, coming up with the $350 tuition was the beginning of a new journey with God.

Matthews just knew this is what God wanted her to do. “But I didn’t have the money,” she says. She kept calling to make sure a place was saved for her as she began raising money. When her mother reminded her about tithing, she struggled. “Why do I have to do this [tithe], it’s all for God anyway?” she asked. Choosing to trust God with her fear that she wouldn’t have her tuition money raised in time, she decided, “I’m just going to do it.” By the registration deadline and after paying a faithful tithe, she had $352.

Led by the Conference Youth Evangelism Team (see sidebar and article) and divided into three one-week components, Teen Bible Academy is designed to bring teens into a deeper walk with God and to equip them for service. “We want their minds to expand to the limitless possibilities to serve,” says Steve Hamilton, youth pastor at Bakersfield Hillcrest and Teen Bible Academy director.

Learning to Commune with God

Solitude is how the academy begins. The essential equipment for a one-week backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park includes a Bible, Steps to Christ and a prayer journal. Away from media, peer influence and any other secular distractions, God is able to connect with an individual. “This week is the most significant,” says Hamilton. “God really gets to ground zero with them.”

At first, 20 minutes seems like a very long time time with God. By the week’s end, two hours isn’t long enough. “My conversations actually felt like God was right there beside me, even laughing with me,” says Kristine Barker.

Learning to Study His Word

Fresh from a new foundation of one-on-one communication, the teens immerse into study. Subjects include the power of God, prayer, prophecy, church history and how to study the Bible — topically and devotionally. “Reading my Bible, God’s daily bread, every morning breaks my heart, and I fall in love with Him every day,” says Daniel Gomez.

Learning to Serve

Getting practical is what week three is all about. Relocating to the Fresno/Clovis area, the teens developed a youth survey, then hit streets, parks and malls to ask their peers about God, church and life. A free car wash, including refreshments, literature, conversations and praying with people, connected them with community adults. Community teens were invited to supper and singing on the last Friday night. “Christianity can be fun,” says Lindsay Pratt. “Service brings this out, service makes it real.”

“We want them to have practical skills for ministry, to learn how to communicate with people, how to bring the gospel into everyday life,” explains Hamilton.

And to have an eternal view. “Now I really want to put God first and follow Him,” says Barker. “This changes my look on the future.”