The first Adventist youth group to appear on the TBN television network show “Virtual Memory” has become the highest scoring team in that show’s history. “Virtual Memory” is a Bible trivia game show for teens between the ages of 13 and 18 and is designed to educate and encourage viewers in Bible knowledge and moral values. It points viewers toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. TBN is America’s most watched faith channel.
GLO (God’s Light to Others) youth ministry of the Laguna Niguel church, directed by lay pastor Edye Campos, made history on July 15 when they scored an all-time high of 5,100 points on the Bible game show. Scores usually average from 1,500 to 2,500 points.
The concept of GLO in the Dark ministries began in January 2001, according to Campos, who came up with the name and the vision based on Matthew 5. “Bringing young people one step closer to Christ is not just a tagline of GLO, it is a summary of our mission,” says Campos, who started with a group of three or four young people. Now, three-and-a-half years later, there are more than 30.
“It was a divine appointment,” said Campos when asked how GLO in the Dark was invited to appear on the television program. “One of the producers called our church by mistake. Before I knew it, the conversation went from apology to curiosity. As I shared with him what GLO in the Dark meant, he questioned me about what we believe. I asked if he would allow some of our youth to appear on the program and compete against other churches.
He began laughing. I asked him why, and he said, 'I’m sorry, but we’ve never had an Adventist youth group on our station.' 'Why?' I asked. 'I don’t know,' he replied. He then extended the invitation and we accepted."
The team of three youth, Jhenifa Parker, India Parker and Sara Uribe, answered regular Bible questions for 75 percent of the rounds with 25 percent on contemporary Christian music. Questions appeared in the form of true and false, crossword puzzles, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank. The show is scheduled to air on TBN Oct. 7 and several times thereafter.
As a result of the hugely successful appearance by GLO in the Dark, other Adventist youth groups have also been contacted to appear on TBN, “All because one small youth ministry let their light shine,” says Campos.
