Samantha Stone:

     The last few months I have not been able to come to church very often because of some family problems. Without my realizing it, the devil was discouraging me. I felt like it was really difficult for me to maintain a close personal relationship with God and that I was drifting away from Him. I’m the only one in my family who is saved and it is discouraging not to be able to talk to any of the people I care so deeply for about being saved and having a close relationship with the Lord. I got to the point where I would wake up in the morning feeling frustrated and would feel more and more frustrated as the day progressed. By the time I talked to the Lord at night, I would be

so frustrated that I wouldn’t know what to say.

     Finally, God cornered me up and said, “You really need to pray through this.” I said, “Okay; I need You to make Yourself more real in my life with everything—the little frustrations and the big problems.” The Lord totally answered my prayer and it has been so much easier for me to go to Him with everything since then.

     I’m really thankful that I was able to go to the youth retreat. I needed to set some time aside for the sole purpose of drawing closer to the Lord. That absolutely happened this weekend and I feel like I am in a really good place spiritually now. Being with young people who have the same purpose as I do—drawing closer to God—made me feel like I have a church family that really cares about me even if there are problems in my own family. I am so thankful that the Lord saved me and that I am part of the Family of God.

Brennan Barrett:

     I am thankful that I had the opportunity to go to the youth retreat this year. It was a wonderful time of encouragement and blessing to me. I love the Lord and I always have. The Lord told me, “Brennan, you need to start growing closer.” I am thankful that the Lord is drawing me, and as I am listening, I love Him more every day.

Enna Krasnogorov:

     I am thankful that the Lord worked it out for me to go to the youth retreat. I was supposed to be working, but He made it possible. We had some wonderful prayer services, and it is so great to be surrounded by people who want the same things you want, and to pray in unity.

     I am thankful for this Gospel and that this church preaches sanctification. People notice the difference. I am just so thankful that my life belongs to the Lord and I can shine His light at work and everywhere I am.

Michael Mathews:

     I went to the youth retreat with a plan in mind. The Lord had put something on my heart that I really wanted to pray through. Yesterday after the morning devotional, the Lord came down and met me and gave me the strength to give that to Him. I have the victory over that!

     I am thankful that the Lord is with me. I recently started a new job and from day one I really wanted to tell people that I was a Christian. I wanted them to see a difference in my life. I am thankful that the Lord has given me opportunities so far. I’ve told people what church I go to and that I am a Christian.

     The Lord keeps me day by day and I love Him so much.

Alexis Rudolph:

     Initially, I didn't really feel like attending the youth retreat. I kind of had a pity-party; I thought, I don't have many friends and nobody would hang out with me. God just said, "You don't want to go, but you really need to go." So I said, "Okay, Lord, I am going to go."

     The Lord really undertook for me and I got to hang out with some fabulous people. He showed me that there are people who really care about me and love me. It totally took away the lie that the enemy had placed in my heart that nobody cared. People really do care and I am thankful that I went.

     We had a good prayer service last night. The Lord really made

Jody Burton:

     I am thankful that the Lord saved me when I was eleven years old, later sanctified me, and then gave me my baptism at Midwest camp a couple of years ago. Growing up in this church we hear that we shouldn’t think we are done when we get the baptism, but it is easy to do that.

     This youth retreat really stirred my heart; we had some heavy talks. It was really good for me, personally, to be reminded that the laborers are few and that I need to be in my place supporting the great organization that has helped my life be what it is. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to go.

David Rozmaity:

     This weekend was my first youth retreat. Last year I had the opportunity to go but didn't. This year, one of my friends urged me to go. Thank God for peer pressure! I called my dad hoping that he would say no, but thank God he said yes. I am happy I went.

     Before this weekend I thought that I was sanctified, but I realized that I just lied to myself. Now, I have a hunger for that experience and I love how that feels. I want to keep going.

     I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to be around everyone at the retreat. I thank Him for the friends that He gave me. They are there to support me and I love them all.

Natalie Newell:

     I am so thankful that I was able to be at the youth retreat this weekend. God’s sweet Spirit was there the whole time and my spirit feels refreshed. I felt a real unity and closeness with all of the young people there.

     The Lord is starting to work in my heart with a deeper desire to serve Him better and to be careful to maintain that holiness. I talked a little bit at the retreat about my experience of sanctification and how real and powerful it was. It is something that is very precious, and I don’t ever want to compromise it. I want to be on fire because sanctification is an experience that few people in this world even

know about, let alone believe in. I want to have a zeal for the Gospel and for holiness.

     The Lord is working in the hearts of all the young people that were at the retreat. I know by the unity that was there that we all have the same purpose and that the Lord is going to do big and wonderful things. I ask that you all pray for us that we can go forward and carry on what was started this weekend.