Bluefield College
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
 bcnews.edu

Campus News
Bluefield College and Virginia Baptists Offer Youth an Encounter with Christ (August 12, 2008)
  View a web photo gallery from YEC 2008
   
 
  Some of the more than 600 youth who participated in Youth EnCounter.
   
 
  The Human Bowling Bowl -- just one of many exciting activities that made up YEC.
   
 
  YEC participants who won BC scholarships.
   
Article by Bluefield College freelance writer Sharde Sherman
    More than 600 enthusiastic youth gathered in the heart of Virginia to experience three rockin' Christian music concerts, an inspirational speaker, a hilarious comedy show, 10 hours of uninterrupted fun at an amusement park, and best of all an encounter with Jesus Christ -- all as part of a youth evangelism conference called Youth EnCounter (YEC), hosted by Bluefield College and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, July 31-August 1.
    The youth, representing about 60 Baptist-affiliated churches throughout the Commonwealth, attended the two-day evangelistic event at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) where, according to organizers, about 100 of the 600 participants made professions of faith or commitments to Christian service.
    "I came to YEC to hang out with my friends, but being here changed me and pushed me to make a commitment to get closer to God," said Ian Gillman, a youth member of Pine Street Baptist Church. "I now have a better understanding and motivation to continue to press onward, never give up, and allow God to come into my life every single day."
    Featured motivational speaker Wade Morris, the author of a CD series of Bible studies and a frequent speaker at conferences, camps and revivals, challenged the youth to be "driven by who God wants you to be."
    "The speaker inspired me to let people know I believe in God, so that is what I am committed to do," said Jasmine Lovelace of Greenfield Baptist. "I definitely feel that the time I spent here worshipping God, hearing testimonies, praying and bonding as a youth group has really helped me to open up and enter a deeper relationship with God."
    Joining Morris on-stage for Youth EnCoutner were Christian music artists Sanctus Real, Grits, and Sonic Flood, who provided daily concerts and worship sessions, along with Christian comedian Thor Ramsey, who offered additional entertainment. In its 20th year, the event has become more than just an evangelism conference, according to YEC coordinator Ken Dibble, a youth ministry strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. It has become a "challenge" conference.
    "We want to challenge current Christians to be encouraged in their faith and to celebrate and experience God in new ways," Dibble said. "It is our hope that churches are strengthened to live and to lead a focused life on the work that God would have these youth do."
    YEC participants also enjoyed 10 hours of non-stop fun at King's Dominion amusement park, along with inflatable games, slides, a rock wall, and much more based on the theme, "Driven," taken from the scripture, "...reaching out for Christ...I've got my eye on the goal...I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back" (Phillippians 3:12-14).
    "Students are looking for something fun and interactive," said Bluefield College's Kris Hardy, director of creative media, who helped organize the event. "Our presence in this event brings the name and face of Bluefield College to each student who participates. We had everything from human bowling to Nintendo Wii, and students had the opportunity to interact with our admissions counselors and current students."
    As co-sponsors of the event, Bluefield College not only helped plan the program for YEC, but also produced and presented a series of video vignettes to open each session of the conference and awarded more than $20,000 in college scholarships. Participants who visited the Bluefield College exhibit had chances to win free t-shirts, a Nintendo Wii, and an Apple iPod Touch.
    "We believe YEC is a great venue to cultivate relationships with students and build a positive presence in students' minds," said BC's Dr. Toby Ziglar, vice president for enrollment management. "Each year we are able to continue to build on our brand name and particularly reach out to the eastern part of the state. We are building our reputation and hoping to get our name out there in the community."
    Joining Hardy and Dr. Ziglar as Bluefield College representatives at YEC were President David Olive, Campus Minister David Taylor, Admissions Director George Campbell, Admissions Counselor Mark Hipes, Bonner Leader Coordinator Sharde Sherman, and seven current BC students.
    "Bluefield College has been just awesome," Dibble said. "They are committed, with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, to seeing students become transformed and challenged in their faith, and for that we are grateful."