Teens Attending YEC 2023 Challenged to Live Faithfully
Two high school seniors will long remember the January weekend they spent in a hotel ballroom with four hundred of their peers from across New England. They took part in the BCNE’s Youth Encountering Christ (YEC 2023) winter retreat January 27-29 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center in Massachusetts.
Mike Hong leading worship at YEC
Yes, they will reflect on challenging biblical messages about living as faithful disciples by Jon Bell, campus pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel, Aurora, IL, and be inspired anew by dynamic worship led by Mike Hong, pastor of worship and mission at City on a Hill Church, Brookline, MA, and the YEC alumni band. Mostly though, they will recall their own profound spiritual commitments and moments of prayerful reflection.
“It was definitely bittersweet. I went into the weekend not really knowing what I was looking for, but I quickly realized that God was looking for me! God spoke to me and, while it was broad, I knew exactly what he was trying to get through to me,” said Lucas, a high school senior attending his last YEC conference.
“Throughout high school,” he added, “I have sought the safety and security of friendships and communities that weren’t always godly. This weekend God reminded me that my safety is found in Him and not through the socially safe ways of this world. His love and His salvation are all I need, and the safety of this world is equivalent to nothing in comparison to the never-ending love He shows us.”
“God opened up my heart and showed me that I need to pay more attention to [His] warnings,” said Vanessa, another high school senior attending her final YEC conference. “The longer I ignored the warnings, the more of a problem it would be. [Disregarding biblical warnings] would create a deep tunnel that would be hard for me to get out of.”
“Being able to talk about my problems with others around my age—and older—helped me realize I’m not the only one struggling with the problems that I’m faced with and that I can open up about things with no judgment. YEC is the place where I let God into my heart and, because of that, YEC will always be a major part of my life that I can share with others,” she concluded.
While the problems faced and the lessons learned (as well as their last names) remain confidential, the comments from Lucas and Vanessa are indicative of many YEC 2023 attendees, including these:
“At YEC I liked that the songs were the ones we sing at youth group, and I got closer with my friends,” commented Abby, a sixth grader.
“God really showed me how there’s a lot of things in my life that are against Him and unholy, but with prayer and reading the Bible, I can grow closer to Him, and He will help me get rid of the bad things in my life,” stated Julia, a ninth grader.
“I used to be scared talking about Jesus, but now I’m ready for anything He wants me to do,” reflected Vera, also a ninth grader.
“YEC was great! JB [Jon Bell] had our youngest students engaged and taking notes! “observed Robert, a church youth group leader.
Attendees considered the conference theme, “POWER,” which was based on Paul’s challenging message to the Romans: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile” (1:12, NLT).
In the first three sessions, Bell retold the biblical story of Samson and highlighted the power of both life choices and the Gospel. His concluding message on Sunday morning drew attention to “the marks” of a Christian disciple: the profession of faith, the practice of faith, and the perseverance in faith.
A total of 580 youth and adult group leaders from forty-two BCNE congregations and five states attended the extravaganza. Eleven young people made public decisions for Christ, thirty-five recommitted their lives to Christ, and a dozen answered a call to serve through a life of ministry.
First responders enjoying their gifts prepared by YEC participants
YEC 2023 attendees collected $7,293 to help support the efforts of their peers around the world on mission trips and engage in local mission projects through BCNE’s Quest leadership development and discipleship emphasis. Twenty high school juniors and eleven faculty were commissioned for Quest 2024.
As expressions of their appreciation and willingness to serve others, the youth prepared and gave seventy gifts to Sturbridge first responders and forty gifts to hotel staff. They prepared another fifty birthday gift packages for distribution at food pantries.
Ray Allen, the BCNE’s retired evangelism leader, organized the first YEC conference forty-two years ago. In recent decades, the leader for Next Generation Ministry, Allyson Clark, and teams of volunteers have assisted with the annual event. The new BCNE Next Gen Youth Ministry leader, Renee Ghobrial co-led this year and will direct in 2024.
A Massachusetts native and a New England Baptist since 1970, Dan Nicholas is the BCNE managing editor.