Michigan—We attended the General Youth Conference (GYC) in Chattanooga, Tenn., from Dec. 28, 2005, through Jan. 1, 2006. Here is a glimpse of our experience.

We began the trip apprehensively. As we walked into the huge Chattanooga Convention Center, we were immediately overwhelmed by hundreds of people standing in line to register.

The devotional meeting on the first night was the start of many changes in both our lives. Imagine walking into a large auditorium and seeing 2,700 people, mainly youth, dressed in business attire. When the song service started, it wasn't the loud, contemporary music we were expecting. Instead they sang hymns. This is the experience we encountered at every meeting.

Throughout the meetings, there was a table to sign up to volunteer serving food. We did so apprehensively. While we were serving, we realized how many attendees there really were. Watching all of those people, we realized we were in the midst of God’s army of young people. I cannot tell you how we were touched seeing people like them, serving graciously as Christ did.

It is hard to explain what it was really like. All we can tell you are our observations and the resulting changes. God has directed us to La Vida Missions in New Mexico, where I (Nicholas) will instruct and work with computers, as well as help cook, and I (Valerie) will teach violin and choir and help in the dental clinic.

If you have not gone to GYC, go. If you want to be challenged to change your life, go. We are going to warn you though, do not go if you don’t want to experience powerful speakers and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This stuff is powerful.

Valerie Plue and Nicholas Rayner, Michigan GYC attendees, Berrien Springs Village Church