Teen Prayer Conference Reveals a “Vast Resource” of Spiritually Committed Youth

13 minutes ago

2 min read

Seventy-five teens and their chaperones gathered at Camp Winnekeag on August 28-30 for Southern New England Conference’s (SNEC) annual teen prayer conference designed to create an atmosphere where teens can refresh spiritually before they head back to school.

“We have this notion that teens are not engaged,” Teddy Williamson, SNEC Young Adult & Youth Sabbath School director, said. “A conference like this [shows] we do have a vast resource of teens who are engaged, spiritual, and really want to have a meaningful relationship with God.”

Guest speaker Felipe Soares, pastor of the Boston Temple SDA church, presented the main messages with the theme “Higher Purpose,” encouraging the teens to look higher to learn God’s true purpose for them.

Teens woke at 7 AM on Sabbath morning for a prayer walk before breakfast, giving them the opportunity to walk, talk, and pray at various stations across camp and to release the burdens they were struggling with to God.

On Sabbath afternoon, in small groups teens discussed many real-life issues, including marijuana and pornography use, and were guided to seek God’s will in everything. As is the practice at many youth events that Williamson and his team organize, two mental health professionals, SNEC Pastor Fredo Ignace and Madalena Nunes-Barbosa, were available the entire weekend to provide one-on-one counseling for the teens.

Believe, a teen vocal group comprised of two families from Connecticut, presented a concert on Sabbath afternoon. During a special commitment service in the evening, many teens made a quiet decision to recommit their lives to Jesus with re-baptism. The teens enjoyed down time on Saturday night with board games, basketball, and time to chat with friends. On Sunday morning, Soares presented a final message and Believe shared more songs that would follow the teens home and encourage them throughout the week.

“I want to remind teens that even if they’re the only teen at their church, they’re part of wider community of like-minded peers who want to have a relationship with God and grow spiritually,” Williamson said.

Follow @yasnec_ on Instagram to learn about upcoming Southern New England Conference youth events and mission opportunities.