Hebrews 12:2 – looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

My family spent last weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Challenge Youth Conference.  We traveled with 24 youth and 9 adults from Summit.  While there, we joined 14,000 others who came together to sing songs of praise, learn more about God’s word and spend time in fun and fellowship.  We met some new people and were reunited with some long-time friends.  This was my families’ tenth trip to CYC.  Every year the experience is both exhausting and exhilarating. 

The CYC experience was tremendous. The singing was amazing.  We heard some wonderful lessons: on the power of the cross through the resurrection (Reed Swindle), the power of God’s word and that the Bible is ‘The’ book not just ‘A’ book (Craig Evans), the power of the Spirit working in us (Ralph Gilmore), and the power of God and his message working in our lives (Lonnie Jones).

I know over time the specific lessons will fade in our minds. So, I wonder, a year from now, after this event is long over, what do I want the young people to remember about it?

I want them to remember: 

· They have parents that thought this is important enough to send their children there for a weekend

· There are adults who have invested in their lives by spending 3 days chaperoning a trip like this

· They have support from and through the other 24 young people that were on this trip with them

· They are not alone in their Christian walk (14,000 other people came together for the cause of Christ)

· It’s important to spend time with God’s people and in God’s word

· That God wants us in Heaven more than we want to be there (John 3:16, Phil 3:10, I Cor 15:12)