"God is awesome. You better tell somebody," was the battle cry of more than 150 attendees of the Hawaii Conference Youth Camp held at Camp Waianae. But even before their arrival, the spiritual work had begun.

A group from California was invited to lead out in ministry, youth leaders met and planned, prayer lists with every attendee were poured over daily, those who had shown little interest in church were personally invited, and funds were being sought for those willing to come but unable to attend because of financial considerations.

One week prior to the event, there were less than 30 applicants. Planners began to wonder whether they had adequately informed the churches of this event. But on the day of the registration deadline, over 100 applications arrived.

It became apparent and the number of attendees was going to create a new problem: Camp Waianae only had 112 beds and with 130 youth coming, plus all of the youth leaders, where were all of these people going to sleep?

Groups decided to sleep in tents, the camp manager opened his home, and some of the youth leaders slept in cars. Everyone was willing to do what it took so every applicant could come.

More than 20 young adults from the Yucaipa Samoan church came to minister through song, testimony and small groups leadership. They raised their own funds, took time off from work, and left spouses and children behind.

Meshach Soli, one of the Yucaipa leaders said, "We prayed that God's mighty will would empower this group of young people and leaders, and that they would be moved by the Spirit this weekend."

The Hawaii youth listened to their stories of how God redeemed them from lives of crime, drugs and gang involvement. In the small groups, youth were given an opportunity to share and respond to the messages they heard.

So many people, so many tasks — but only one goal: each person having a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. When the youth camp came to a conclusion, there were 18 decisions for baptism, more than 100 decisions of recommitment, and a passion and excitement that only comes when God touches a life.

As they boarded the buses and cars at the end of the camp, many youth spoke about how their lives were changed. They spoke about how they wished other friends had come, and that this was "The best camp ever!"

But they did not leave with just an emotional feeling, they left with a challenge: "You better tell somebody. God is awesome."