More than 1,000 youth and young adults attended the "Generation in Action" youth rally at the Fresno Convention Center on Oct. 8. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the day’s schedule was packed with worship, learning, training, meeting old and new friends, devouring food, and enjoying fellowship and games.
Marc Woodson, Southeastern California Conference youth director, and Bailey Gillespie, executive director of The John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry at La Sierra University in Riverside, were featured guest speakers. Eleven afternoon workshops offered a variety of options (see sidebar). Concerts included recording artists Undivided, The Bucket from Bakersfield and Directed By Christ from Seaside and an evening of interactive games played in the convention’s sports arena.
“Very informative and useful in daily living,” said Joseph from Modesto of the day.
Matthew, an Armona youth, says he “liked the sermons and workshops.”
“My favorite part of the event was meeting people,” said Victoria from Dinuba.
Garrett from Clovis says he wants to take what he has learned and use it “to lead others to Jesus.”
The Central California Conference (CCC), Pacific Union College and La Sierra University were ministry partners for the free event. CCC Youth Ministry Action Teams, organized in each of the conference’s eight areas, were also essential to success, raising money and organizing transportation including renting buses.
Eddie Vargas, a youth pastor from Hanford, especially appreciated Gillespie’s afternoon workshop for parents, youth leaders and pastors. “It was fantastic,” he said. “We were able to get an idea of where our youth are spiritually and what are their concerns. They have a deep spiritual hunger and need us [adults] to get more involved in their lives, to take a personal interest.”
Steve Horton, vice president for ministries, sees an all-encompassing youth ministry. “We believe in a family-based youth ministry. There is really no separation. Young adults are responsible for teens. Teens are responsible for senior citizens, and so on. We want them [youth and young adults] to understand that we are responsible for each other — they are part of the whole church family.”
