Joshua Walker, from Bakersfield, attended the third annual youth convention in Fresno because of his previous experience. "The sermon was good, the food was good, the workshops were good, the basketball was good," he explains.

Nearly 2,000 teens, plus youth leaders, parents, pastors and sponsors, attended the one-day event Oct. 6 at the Convention Center in Fresno.

The 12-hour day was packed with worship, 24 workshop options, two meals and an evening of games in the center's Selland Arena, which included three-on-three basketball, volleyball, ping pong and board games.

The featured speaker was Yami Bazan, vice president for student life at La Sierra University. She also taught a two hour workshop for youth leaders on understanding youth culture. "I've heard all the big name preachers like C.D. Brooks and Charles Bradford, says David Woolcox, youth pastor from San Jose Ephesus. "She is as good of any of those. It really touched my heart. It was beautiful."

In the afternoon, Bernie Anderson, pastor of the Wasatch Hills church in Salt Lake City, Utah, told of his journey out of pornography addiction. Many responded when speakers called for them to dedicate their lives to Jesus. Hope, a musical group from Southern California, gave an afternoon concert, as well as specials throughout the day.

The 24 workshops for teens included Dating With No Regrets, Making the Bible Not Boring, Remaining Pure in a Sexy World, Winning Friends to Jesus, and Training for Ministry. Michelle Esquivo from Denair heard from a friend that the workshops were good, so she decided to see for herself. She attended "Resolving Conflicts Without Loosing Teeth" and liked it. "Everyone deals with conflict," she says.

"The Youth Convention is an event where youth can come and see how big God's army is," says Steve Horton, senior youth and young adult director for the CCC. "It is also a place where youth encounter God, and many accept Him as their personal Savior."

Lawrence Aflaque, a college student who works with his local youth group in Visalia, expressed gratitude for the day. “I got a lot of good ideas to take back,” he says.

“I love these kids,” says Danna Bearden, youth leader from Modesto, about the eight teens she brought. “This experience grounds them and makes their relationship [with God] more practical.” Looking around the filled auditorium, she added, “I see lots of kids seeking a deeper spiritual relationship.”