They came from academies and churches. A deeper experience, a rekindled love for Jesus, hope in the middle of unbearable circumstances, or to discover Him for the first time — each participant shared a deep burning desire — an encounter with God.

The fourth annual Youth Prayer Conference, held Oct. 20-23, attracted 294 participants.

“The four-day event conveys basically three elements vital to Christianity — prayer, study of God’s Word and service to humanity,” explains Steve Hamilton, associate pastor of the Bakersfield Hillcrest church and youth evangelism coordinator. “When we put these three components in a pressure cooker experience, we get profound results. At the end of the weekend, so many kids say ‘I saw that Jesus is real for the first time.’”

It Takes a Team

Led by the conference youth evangelism team, the event was prayed for and planned for months in advance. (All of the team’s members have attended previous prayer conferences, first as participants, then as leaders.)

Teens from several academies volunteered to be small group leaders and attended a leadership training weekend at Monterey Bay Academy prior to the conference. “I was terrified during small group training. I would have never imagined doing a small group or talking, but God has led me to do it,” shares one teen. “Now, I trust Him, and I love Him with all my heart.”

MBA hosted this year’s conference. Principal Tim Kubrock and his staff made themselves available for whatever was needed. Seventy MBA students participated. “God was just everywhere at MBA,” reports one youth. “I felt really connected with Him.”

Sponsors — youth leaders, teachers, parents and church members — provided transportation, kitchen help, community service assistance and prayer support. Sleeping on the gym floor with their youth added a bonding experience.

Conference prayer partners volunteered to come and pray throughout the entire event.

Learning to Serve

Friday’s focus is on serving. Small group prayer and Bible study groups are followed by an afternoon of community outreach. Divided into 17 teams, the youth spread out to Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Seaside, Salinas and Monterey serving others.

Donna Teale, Watsonville church member, and George Bronson, Salinas church member, helped with planning and underwriting several of the service projects. Contractor Jim Genn, Ceres church member, gifted his leadership to one building project. And every sponsor provided leadership and energy, too.

The day ended with vespers and teens sharing experiences and insights into how Jesus views these communities. A communion service provided an opportunity to serve each other.

The Power of His Presence

Eighteen teens came forward for baptism, including two non-Adventists who came with friends. One teen was re-baptized in the ocean.

Saturday night was not a time for clock watching as teen after teen came forward to share what was on his or her heart. “I’ve been an Adventist all my life. I’ve always known God and wanted Him. Tonight, for the first time, I knew He was alive! God was hugging me in my seat.”

Another teen told the crowd, “I see that love that you have, the twinkling in your eyes. I wanted that, yet had to understand what He’s all about."

Some shared deep personal trials and struggles and were immediately surrounded by others and lifted up in prayer. One shared his anger at God. Another told of how he had been planning to commit suicide and told God this prayer conference was His last chance. “My life has been changed here,” he share.

“I realized I really need God," said another. "I don’t want it to be a phase, but I need to get involved and witness.”

“Young people have an incredible influence among their peers,” adds Andrew Uyeyama, a youth evangelism team member. “Prayer conference is an awesome ground for training.”

Passing It On

Saturday night was especially meaningful for Janet Page, conference prayer ministries coordinator, as she listened to the testimonies. “Youth leading youth to Christ, youth mentoring youth to do ministry and outreach is what I see happening all around our conference.”

Leah Hawley, a youth evangelism team member, agrees. “Again and again, students were thanking their classmates for how they’d loved and accepted and cared for them. These conferences are not just a feel good experience. Kids are going home to work for God.”

Student-led small group Bible studies, prayer conferences, weeks of prayer and community outreaches are just a few examples of what’s happening in their local schools and churches. “He’s bringing a revival among our youth. God is using them to set the pace to hasten His return,” says Page.

“One of the biggest things I see most often is they [youth] come away knowing that God is alive, that God is more than a concept,” says Godfrey Miranda, youth evangelism team member. “When kids are serious about God, He shows up in a big way.”