I have loved the Youth Evangelism Conference, sponsored by Virginia Baptists, for 14 years, since my return to Virginia as a youth minister in 1993. I served for 10 years on the advisory team for YEC and was always thrilled and blessed by the many decisions made by the youth who attended, some even from my own youth group over the years.
But the real emphasis of this event didn't become personal until this summer, when my nephew, Lucas Hidalgo, came with me to be a volunteer helper and “runner” for the YEC committee. Luke is a skateboarder so the Skateboard Ministry guys made a big impact on him. Thursday evening, after the challenge by guest speaker Justin Lookadoo, Lucas stood to indicate his desire to ask Christ into his life. Jim Collie, campus minister at UVA-Wise, paired Lucas with Bob Badgett in the counseling room; I sat with them in support. It was a very emotional time. Luke is nearly 12 years old and goes to church with me as he has most of his life. I knew he was ready to make this decision but didn't pressure him at all, just brought him hoping the event would make an impact on him. Needless to say, I think the whole thing was worth it just for this one decision! On the way home that night, he called his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles; our whole family is rejoicing.
I would like to thank all involved in this wonderful event; Lucas went forward at church Sunday so now we have a baptism to plan! Again, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Virginia Baptists for their support of an event that has such incredible potential to impact the lives of so many young people.
Rhonda G. Nash, Fredericksburg