Teens from Christ Church Delavan, Delavan United Methodist Church and Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville posed after the Friday night session. We heard a lot of wonderful, gifted and funny speakers, we praised God in some wonderful contemporary music, some even older hymns with a more modern beat! We had discussions often as we digested the things we learned, and came back with a lot to share. One of the speakers told us to let God do to you what Jesus does to bread... Jesus takes it, blesses it, breaks it and then gives it. He told us that Jesus is indeed a "taker", and encouraged us all to "Get TOOK!" (Click on the thumbnail photo for a larger version.)

Adult Youth Leaders from Christ Church, Delavan and Trinity Church, Janesville pose after enjoying lunch at a truck stop on the road. One of the important parts of our retreat is getting to know each other (adults & youth) as we travel, eat together, have worship & prayer times, discussion times, and fun on the way to NC and back again. (Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger version.)

Thursday night at Motel 6, we joined together after dinner for evening prayer in one of our rooms, then some times for discussions and bedtime so we could start out early the next day on our continued trek to NC. (Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger version.)

Teens joined with others from our hall at Ridgecrest, in singing, talking and getting to know each other during the weekend, between and after large group sessions. (Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger one.)

The Praise Band, skits, video clips, speakers and drama presentations left us with much to contemplate. Comments from teens & adults tell the story... Pat: This was my second year at Ridgecrest (YQ) and even though I've been through most of it before, it felt like a brand new experience. I came into this weekend with some important questions and expected them to be answered. By the time the weekend was over I realized that God won't give you the answers all at once, but reveals them a little bit at a time. Eventually I will find those answers, but until then, I'm going to take the journey bit by bit, the here and now. Like a very wise friend once told me, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” ......Kaine: I would like to thank Christ Church and the Milwaukee Diocese for the scholarships you gave me for the weekend. Even though this was my third year at YouthQuake, it was still great! I'll always remember my first year as being the best one, but this one was good too. The music was great, and it was good being with people who had not been to a conference like this before and seeing them experience God in different ways too. (Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger version.)

More comments... Alyssa: While at YouthQuake on Saturday night, I went forward to get prayed for, after I felt as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders. God helped me forgive not only other people, but also myself. He helped me see that no one is perfect. Even though I already knew this it just clicked, like a light was suddenly turned on. I would also like to say thank you to everyone who gave money so that we could go on this trip and have this life changing experience. .... Matt: My experience at YouthQuake was awesome. At any moment you could feel God and even on the ride back. I remembered a moment where this movie was playing about Jesus coming back and I felt a twinge through my whole body, one of the strongest things I ever felt.... Chris: This was the first year I went to YouthQuake. It was an amazing experience. I accepted God as my Savior and I could feel His power as I was praying. It was a wondrous time, also thank you for the scholarships. (Click on the picture to get a larger version.)

More comments... Jesi: This is my third year at YouthQuake. It was definitely once again, a great and awesome experience! I "rested in the Spirit" this year for the 2nd time. However it was also different this time. This year I rested with the Lord for over a half an hour and it was the greatest experience I've ever had in my life, something I will never forget. I was the closest to God this weekend than I've been in a long time! He showed me many things and gave me the greatest peace of my life. I had been angry at my birth mom and God allowed me to forgive her, and in a vision I had even hug her. I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the Youth Leaders and the Diocese and our church for giving me the chance to attend one of the greatest times of my life. I am truly blessed.... Jeremy: I was invited by Christ Episcopal Church of Delavan, this youth convo showed me that God is with you through good and bad times. It made me more of a believer that God chose me. I was chosen by God! When I went up to pray I felt God right next to me along with those who were for me. New faces came into my life. God blessed me with friends nationwide. That was special to me. In the morning I would be tired, my eyes would be heavy, but my heart was racing and alive. I am blessed by a voice to express my faith through song. God has instilled His Spirit in me and through Him I was "taken" or as Greg Johnson (the Fri. speaker) would say, "TOOK!" and that seems unique.. Praise be to God our Savior! (Click on the thumbnail photo for a larger version.)

More comments.... Laura: This was my first year at YouthQuake and it was definitely the greatest thing ever! It was just fantastic! There were a lot of memorable moments that I'm going to have with me for a long time. One of the best ones for me was on Saturday night when my friend and I were praying together because I asked her to pray for me. After a few minutes I felt a couple more hands on me and heard more voices praying. There were about 5 people that came and joined us and they asked what we were praying for and my friend said, "We're praying for Laura." Right then these people started praying for me, I didn't know who they were, but it was so awesome knowing there were people that care even if they don't know you. To me that was just awesome because there are people that can help you so much just by praying even if you've never met them.... T.J.: I was touched by God in many ways this weekend. On the first day I was a little unsure of that was going on. I was a little homesick and was a little scared. Eventually when we went to the first session I was finally sure this was where I was suppose to be. I really got into it, also at the end of that session I went up and confessed and was prayed for. During that time I felt God with me forgiving me for my sins. The second session I went up and prayed for all who I care for and all who couldn't be there. I would like to thank those who allowed me to go on this trip, my family was not able to pay for the trip and by a miracle I was able to go, that was when I knew I was meant to go. So thank you all who supported me in allowing me to have such a great experience. (Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger version.)

We enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and nature in NC too. More comments.... Bill: This year YouthQuake was very special, we took 10 young people - 5 new ones and 5 "veterans". They formed a bond with each other that was so close. It really should be a model for all of us in our relationships. Watching that develop and hearing them witness about their experiences really made the trip worth it for me.... Roberta: At YouthQuake this year, I felt God's love so powerfully in the speakers as they spoke to us...when one of them started a sentence with..."Beloved...." I really felt as if it was God telling me I was indeed His beloved. I realized how much I longed for God's love to be expressed, and His truth to be spoken to me...even though I have known God's love for a long time.... when I reflected on those thoughts I believe God was telling me that if I, someone who knows God's love, NEEDS to hear it often and longs for it, how much MORE do people who have never experienced God's great love for them need to be told of it and experience it. I need to share that love more with others. I also take home with me a desire to want to honor God more in my life, in my actions and the things I do. Thank you to Christ Church and to the Milwaukee Diocese for the scholarships, they are very much appreciated.. Beloved of God, let us Love! (Click on the thumbnail photo for a larger one.)

Heading back from YouthQuake to our hotel in Lexington, we made a side trip to a river in the mountains along the way. (click on the thumbnail photo for a larger one.)

Our final night before arriving home was spent at a Holidome, where we enjoyed the hottubs, swimming, pizza and discussions, sharing the ways God had touched us during the YouthQuake Event. (click on the thumbnail picture for a larger one.)

Twelve people, 12 backpacks, 12 suitcases, food, pop, pillows, and more packed into ONE van! The teens spent most of Monday afternoon sleeping on the way home. THANK YOU TO CHRIST CHURCH & THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS WE RECEIVED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT! THANKS ALSO TO ACTS 29 MINISTRIES FOR PUTTING ON THE CONFERENCE, AND THANK YOU GOD FOR THE WAYS WE WERE BLESSED, HELP US TO PASS ON THOSE BLESSINGS TO OTHERS! (click on thumbnail for a larger picture.)