World evangelists expect hardships like cancelled flights, equipment malfunctions, car problems, health issues, and other challenges. They also expect to have amazing and miraculous experiences as the Lord opens the way, sends the right person at the right time, repairs equipment, and makes all things work together for good.

For 16 days in March, 13 students and staff from Central Valley Christian Academy in Ceres, Calif., preached God's Word in Guatemala. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to see God work and to experience unconditional dependence," says Jennifer Pettengill, who teaches Bible and algebra.

"The first night, I didn't have a translator, and my projector didn't work, and I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?'" says 11th-grader Karen Grimaldi. Grimaldi, who speaks Spanish, preached her first sermon from her notes.

"I was so nervous," reports Matt Bloyd, a ninth-grader, about his opening night. "At the hotel, my computer and projector weren't working. Mr. Krpalek and I prayed over them, and when I set up [at the meeting], they starting working."

Preparation

It was at the conference-wide youth prayer conference at Fresno Adventist Academy, when a group of people began regularly praying for God to work specifically in each student's life. "That brought kids to know Him, and once a kid crosses that line, when they are walking with God, you can't stop them," explains Pettengill. "Kids minister to kids. Peer ministry is God's work."

In the past few years, CVCA has hosted two youth prayer conferences led by the youth evangelism team. "That's where they step over the line, because they are in the Bible, in prayer and in service," Pettengill says.

Spontaneously, student-led Bible studies, spiritual retreats and outreach projects began to spring up. This past fall, the youth evangelism team spent two months at the academy, training and mentoring students in their spiritual walk. A group from CVCA conducted a youth prayer conference at Rio Linda Academy this spring, too.

Unseen, a public evangelistic series for Adventist teens and their friends was perfect preparation for Guatemala and for more local outreach. Now, a student-led Wednesday night prayer and Bible study meeting for teens and their friends is growing as more Adventist teens in public school come and bring their friends.

Share Him

Since 2004, members from Central California Conference have traveled with Share Him (formerly Global Evangelism) around the world preaching and assisting with evangelistic campaigns (www.sharehim.org).

Preaching 19 sermons in 16 days, guest evangelists borrow or buy computers and projectors, pay or raise funds for their own expenses (flights, hotel and food), and sacrifice time to participate in the Gospel Commission. The sermons and graphics are provided by Share Him.

"I knew it would strengthen their relationship with Jesus, and they'd never be the same again, not only spiritually but in their priorities," says Principal Don Krpalek. He served as mentor, photographer and last-minute speaker for four of the evening meetings.

Local pastors and members do the pre-work. In Guatemala, guest evangelists preached in church buildings and outside locations, including an amphitheatre. Loud speakers sounded the messages beyond the walls and streets. Shaina Herman's sermons were broadcast on radio. Attendance grew at every site as the Holy Spirit spread God's Word.

"A maturity beyond their years," is how Modesto Central Pastor James Scarborough describes the students. He went as pastor/mentor and to preach his own campaign. "They met their appointments on time, didn't complain, faced the challenge of restructuring and adapting the daily sermons. They conducted themselves excellently!"

"My favorite thing was hanging out after the meetings, connecting with people and being able to help them come closer to God," says Nick Kreitzer, a 10th-grader.

Megan Tresenriter loved visiting the people in their homes. "My pastor spoke English, so I could connect one-on-one. We visited everyone from the wealthy to the very, very, poor."

Growing the Church

Two mass baptisms on the final Sabbath marked the end of the campaign. "It was such a powerful and wonderful day," says Jessica Aguiar, a 10th-grader. More than 200 people joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church that day. And many, many more are studying.

"We weren't going to see these people again until heaven," says Aguiar about saying goodbye.

"When people hugged me goodbye, they'd say ‘In heaven,'" says Bloyd. "It hurt so bad."

Back home, solidly rooted in their faith, their beliefs and their confidence in sharing Jesus, priorities and attitudes have changed. "I want to be involved in any evangelistic work," says Sean Nation. "Now I have a personal experience to share. I want everyone to catch God's glory."

"We could see them grow, could see it in their walk, how they prayed," says Krpalek, as his team became unified in purpose.

Watching the generosity of the Guatemala members inspired them, too. "They are so willing to work for their church. Even the youth work," says Grimaldi who plans to be more involved in her local church. "The spirit of evangelism is not taught, it is caught," says Tresenriter. "It's living life with a purpose."