Eleven of us from Christ Church & 6 from Trinity Church, Janesville were part of the over 1500 in attendance at this National Youth & Youth Leaders Conference. We left Christ Church, Delavan on Thurs. a.m., arrived at Ridgecrest on Friday afternoon, after getting settled and exploring a bit, we met back for some small group discussions.

CREED - everyone has one, but few people really understand the meaning of the word. To many it's something we say on Sunday in church - a concept that is usually paired with words like "Nicene" or "Apostles". But each of us lives out a creed - set of basic beliefs that guide our everyday lives. Whether or not we have a CREED is not the issue. Instead the question is, "What, or who, is your creed about?" YQ04 was centered around this concept of a personal creed. Christians can live an explosive life for God if they know what they believe and act on those beliefs every day! Shown here is Vince with the display that was onstage for the weekend. It was like he posed for the original or something, since everyone said it looked so much like him.

We had some great times of praise & worship, fun & great speakers too during the weekend as we joined up with everyone in the auditorium. There were over 1500 youth and leaders present for YQ04! AWESOME!

The Praise and Worship at YQ04 was great! They played a lot of fun, as well as worshipful contemporary Christian songs and hymns. Ones that stuck with us all, and that we listened to and sung on the trip home as well. God certainly put a song in our hearts!

We found space where ever we could for our times of small group discussions... sometimes in the hallway by our rooms, other times in the lounge area on our floor. CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL PHOTO TO DISPLAY A LARGER VERSION OF THE PICTURE.

There were many times for us to seek a deeper walk with Christ over the weekend. In our small group prayers, privately, and during the sessions as well. Some of our youth went forward for the first time in publicly declaring Jesus as their Lord & Savior. Some reaffirmed that creed again. We were offered times of prayer for ourselves or to intercede for others. The prayers of a righteous person does much good! We believe that and were shown that too! CHECK OUT THE "COMMENTARIES" LINK ON THE HOME PAGE (go to YQ04) for the comments and experiences we had to share! CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL PIC FOR A LARGER VERSION OF THE PICTURES SHOWN.

There were many great speakers and presenters. Pictured here is our group with Pastor Fred Lynch - the "rapping" pastor who spoke to us on Sunday morning. There was also Jeanne Mayo, Geoffrey & Lark & their crazy antics and skits, Eric Moulton, Father Alan Hansen, the PENQUINS who tossed us candy & gifts, and others! CLICK ON THUMBNAIL for a larger version of this picture.

We posed as a group for a final photo at Ridgecrest Conference Center... a wonderful retreat place. We had great accomodations, lots of good food, little sleep, inspiring teaching times, lots of fun, and awesome times with others who were praising and glorifying God! THANK YOU CHRIST CHURCH FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS THT ALLOW US TO ATTEND. AND THANK YOU ACTS 29 MINISTRIES FOR PUTTING ON THIS EVENT!!