Anaheim 07

With hands raised high, high school students from around the country experienced the wonder of a unified meeting of God’s children at Anaheim ‘07. As one of those worshippers, I genuinely appreciated the encouragement that the general sessions, ministry tracks and mission projects provided.

After enjoying a powerful session on Saturday evening, I set out Sunday morning to my individual ministry track, Leadership. I chose this track because I believe that Christians should be leaders among their peers, and I wanted to develop my knowledge in that area. The presenter was Chuck Taylor, youth pastor from Buhler, Kan. We learned through many activities, like guiding a blindfolded partner through the hotel or watching a segment of a movie. Taylor emphasized that “leadership is influencing people.”

I learned from this track that leadership is not only telling others what to do but leading by example. To influence my community, I should lead a godly life. This track addressed the issue thoroughly, and I learned a lot. When I go back to my home and church, I can use what I learned to be a good example even though I am a freshman.

On Monday, my youth group of 26 participants spent the day helping an organization called Kidworks in gang-controlled Santa Ana. We assisted the maintenance man, known to us simply as Bill, by reorganizing the large storage room at the side of the building. Although this did not directly influence the lives of the at-risk children Kidworks reaches out to, I still felt it beneficial, for the project would have taken Bill weeks, but we managed to finish in a matter of hours. After cleaning and stacking, some students tutored the kids, while I and a few other girls took a short trip with preschool teacher Eva Romero to make decorations for her classroom.

A highlight of Anaheim for me was walking the streets of Santa Ana and seeing the need, but also seeing God’s people pouring out his grace on these people. I appreciated the workers at Kidworks, who gave up safe lives in nice homes to help these needy families. The trip encouraged me to look through poverty to see the hearts that God wants to change and to reach out to the people that I know. Anaheim ’07 was a fun and exciting, but most of all eye opening, experience.