GYC 2005 - Now is the Time

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11

From Dec. 28, 2005 to Jan. 1, 2006, over 2,600 young people gathered at Chattanooga's convention center in Chattanooga, TN for the fourth annual General Youth Conference.

The majority of young people were from the United States. However, a growing number of attendees now come from international countries such as England, Iceland, South Africa, Sudan, the Philippines, and other countries.

The theme for GYC 2005 was "Now is the Time" based on Romans 13:11, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to wake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed."

Speakers for the main plenary sessions included David Gates, missionary to South America; C.D. Brooks, former speaker for Breath of Life television program; John Nixon, senior pastor of Oakwood College church; Cindy Tutsch, from the Ellen G. White Estate; and Michael Hasel, religion professor from Southern Adventist University.

GYC 2005's seminar topics included "Urban Evangelism", "Revelation", "Last Day Deceptions," and many more.

Besides attending seminars and hearing sermons, attendees partnered with Mark and Ernestine Finley, who will be holding an evangelistic series in the Chattanooga area later in 2006, to facilitate a massive unprecedented outreach effort on Sabbath, Dec. 31.

As a result of this outreach, attendees knocked on 9,117 doors and gave surveys, producing over 1,200 Bible study interests.

Young people who attended this conference were able to make specific decisions and answered God's call to their hearts in various ways.

GYC 2005 Attendees Share How God Touched Their Hearts

"I had been really unhappy in school. I felt unfulfilled in my life. I had questions like, 'What is the purpose of life?', 'What should I study?' and 'Where should I be?' I was praying and struggling with questions and inner conflicts. Randy Skeete, the speaker the first night, talked about putting our plans before God instead of doing what we want. He talked about how we plant roots here on earth, when it really isn't our home. I had a meeting and prayed with Pastor Skeete. I now know that I don't belong where I am. I am going to go where God needs me and I'm going to stop saying no to Him!"

- Deyana Castellano, Biology major from Fontana, California.

"The seminars I've been to have given me tools to address both believers and non-believers by meeting people where they are and the desire to speak clearly about the hope we share."

- Nicholas Valles, Math/Physics major from Andrews University

"The GYC underlined the urgency of our Adventist message. It helped me to realize how serious it is and how important it is to study the Bible and know God personally. I realized you can't be fully happy without God. You can try to fill the hole with many things, even good things, but it doesn't truly fill it. Only a life fully dedicated to Christ is truly fulfilled. GYC showed me that there are still many people who take the Bible seriously. It encouraged me that youth aren't dead in the church. Sometimes I feel there is nothing substantial, but I now want to be more involved because I know I am not alone."

- Sonja Stojanovic, Psychology major from Andrews University

"I enjoyed listening to David Gates the most at GYC. I've been so blessed by the prayer sessions and the environment! I've never been to a place where it's four days, all God! We got up at six o'clock and went to bed at nine."

- Timothy Canham, from Durham, South Africa

"Since GYC, I'm more deliberate about scheduling time for God. I wake up in the morning and I pray. I play music that creates an atmosphere of joy and peace. I like to start my days off with Him. GYC has made me realize the importance of being a true Adventist and knowing that it's not wrong to have standards. It made me reevaluate my life and stop teetering."

- Tanisha Greenidge from Takoma Park, Maryland