Going Down Under in Search of Spiritual Thunder

Several Students Travel to Australia for Christian Youth Conference
BY: Stephen Kibbee
The trendy and tropical city of Cairns, Australia recently enjoyed a generous influx of Guamanians, who were there to attend the AYC (Adventist Youth Conference), an SDA youth conference with a vision of seeing young people grow to their highest potential in their social, academic and spiritual life. Over 40 delegates from Guam, ranging from GAA students to adult chaperones and families, attended the conference from April 30th to May 3rd at the beautiful 5-star Sebel Hotel. Delegates were also given the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and get vertical high above the tropical forest on the SkyRail tour. True to stereotype, many students indeed did have the opportunity to hug koalas and play with the kangaroos.
A host of young, dynamic and Godly speakers presented messages to the youth; including Jay Rosario, a one-time hip-hopper and underachiever from Miami, Florida, now serving as a Pastor in Central California; Charissa Fong, a passionate and persuasive preacher from Australia who is studying Education; and Peter Gregory, a break-dance artist turned teacher and preacher. Guam’s own Louis Torres also preached and conducted workshops. The excitement, enlightenment and spiritual enrichment could be read on many of the faces of the young and old alike as the conference came to a close. Female students were especially impressed and inspired by the preaching and demeanor of young Charissa, who showed that God is just as willing to see women live wholly for Him as men.
GAA plans on sending even more student delegates to the 2011 conference, and we are confident that there will be no lack of interest amongst the students. Many of them shared the sentiment upon returning home, “I can’t wait until next year. A year is such a long time!” If you interested in learning more about AYC, financially helping a student, or planning on attending yourself, please don’t hesitate to call the school and ask to speak with Stephen Kibbee or Mia Valentine. Hopefully next year we can share in the blessing of AYC together.