Youth Conference Testimonies: |
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| In 1984 I had just graduated from high school, and that summer was attending your youth conference. My husband was singing in a Hyles-Anderson college tour group and was singing at that youth conference. We saw one another, talked, and sparks flew! When he realized I was planning to attend HA College that fall, he was very excited. So, first week of college we started dating and lets just say we were engaged the end of the school year! Now, after 22 years of marriage we have an 18 year old daughter who is graduating from high school this month and will be attending the youth conference this summer. What makes this years conference special to me as her Mom is that she will be at the same stage in her life as I was when I met Gods perfect will for me. (By the way, she is coming to GSBC this fall!) Boy, I sure never thought back in the summer of 1984 that I would have a daughter in the summer of 2008 doing the same thing and going to the same place as I did! - Tracy (1984) California |
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| Well I've been to the youth conference since 2003 and every year has been a blessing to me. Last year was even better. For the past few years I've been battling with myself on my spiritual walk. I have been doubting my own personal salvation. I think last year was a preparation for the day truly got saved, which was just recently in February of 2008. Thank you so much. This conference has been a life changing experience. Thank you North Valley for opening this youth conference to my church. Each year you have been a blessing to our youth group. I am looking forward to all the future youth conferences. - Marian (2007) California |
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| The Western National Youth Conference will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been the place where I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, memories that will always bring me a smile, and decisions that will effect eternity. One decision that I made after the big Wednesday Night service was to give God my life and to allow Him to use me in any capacity He sought fit. It was at my 2nd Youth Conference that God called me to Bible College, and by the grace of God, I am attending Golden State Baptist College today. I have this conference to thank and its great host Pastor, Dr. Jack Trieber. - Anwar (2005) California |
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| Well this was my very first youth conference. My Youth Pastor said it will be crazy, fun, and also life changing, so I was really looking forward to going. I never knew that it really would be exciting and life changing but it was. From the beginning to the end, I will never forget it. My Youth Pastor kept telling me to pray for this youth conference and for God to work. It was June 21, the third night of the conference when Pastor Mark Swanson preached. He preached on being an extreme teen for God. He ended the preaching with a beautiful song that just changed my life. I felt God tugging at my heart. I went down to the altar and surrendered my life to God for full-time in the Ministry. I was SO EXCITED. I really don't know what God has for me but whatever it is, it will be awesome and I'll give God the glory. I give all the honor and praises to God alone for that life changing youth conference. - Gerald (2006) California |
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| My life was on a path of destruction before I started going to church in 1997. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend a great fundamental Baptist church. However, the profound change in my life happened when I attended the youth conference at North Valley Baptist Church. The conference opened me up to a world I had never known. I surrendered to God and I also had the opportunity to find out about Golden State Baptist College and enrolled myself. The youth conference of 1997 was a pivotal point in my life and I will always remember it and be thankful to God for the opportunity I had to attend. - Timothy (1997) Nevada |
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| I had been saved for about a year in our church Montecito Baptist Church, our pastor Dr. Ezequiel Salazar. I was invited to go to my very first Youth Conference at North Valley Baptist Church it was my very first time going somewhere far from home, I enjoyed the ride from Los Angeles all the way up to the church in Santa Clara, once we got there I remember that we got there just in time for the service it was very funny because we didn't even have time to go and get changed or freshen up a bit we just went right into the service, we heard the preacher Bro. Trieber speak to us and welcome us to the Youth Conference, also my first time hearing him speak/preach, the whole week was wonderful but the preaching that really helped me in getting closer to God and doing something for Him was the preaching of Bro. Schaap which I have heard the title of "America, America" where he spoke about how the US is going to be destroyed for what she has done and how she has fallen from giving God the honor and glory that He deserves,I surrendered that night to serve God full time with my life, I knew that alot of things in my life would have to change in order for this to be a reality, I left the friends that I was hanging around with and also the things that I was doing, it has not been easy all these years that I have been in our church but I can sincerely say that I thank God for allowing me to go to that conference and many more that I went to after that first one in Santa Clara, but in the first conference I went to I made that big decision to stick with God all the way. Thank you for all that have sacrificed throughout all of these for this conference to become a reality, if not here on earth one day you will see the blessings of your sacrifice, may God bless you. - Omar (1996) California |
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| In 2003 I got saved at youth conference. Since then I have continued to make life changing decisions about my friends, music, and how to better my Christian life. I can't wait for this year I am so excited to hear the preaching and see what God has for me. Thank you so much for youth conference it has helped me in so many ways! - Krista (1991) California |
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| I had just started going to Central Valley Baptist Church. Before then I was in the Assemblies of God Church. God was really changing my life. At that time I was going to secular college. My brother had been trying to encourage me to go to Bible college and said that if I didn't go I would just flounder. A friend at church invited me to go to one of the night services at the Youth Conference at North Valley Baptist Church and I agreed to go. That was a Monday night. I liked it so much that I decided to go back the next night. That Tuesday night Rob Rowe got up and gave his testimony. He said that he already went through secular college and that there maybe someone tonight going to secular college and it is not worth it. That you know who you are and you need to go to Bible college. It was because of that testimony that I decided to go to Bible college. That night after the service I got an application. As a result of attending that Youth Conference, I am now a graduate of Golden State Baptist College, Class of 2004. Also I married the man of my dreams, Thomas Johnson, who I also met at Bible college. God used that Youth Conference to lead me to His will for my life. - Sharon (2001) Maryland |
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| This conference changed my life!! I was 15 years old, and because of circumstances in my life, was extremely bitter towards God. I no longer had any desire to do anything for Him. Than I went to the Western National Youth Conference, and my life has never been the same. Under the preaching of Bro. Mark Swanson, I re-dedicated my life to the Lord, and surrendered my life to serve him. Now I am going to be a Senior at Golden State Baptist college, but I know I would not be here today had it not been for that Conference. - Brittany (2004) California |
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| Our youth group has been going to this conference for years and years. I've seen several of our church kids saved there, and many of the guys are preaching. We always come out better than when we came. I have surrendered my life to the Lord because of youth conference. Praise God, I have surrendered to be His missionary to where ever He wants me to go. Last year, I realized that I hadn't read my bible cover to cover yet, and right now I am almost done! I praise God for you and your church. My dad got saved there! I can't thank you enough! -Natalia (2006) California |
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My life was forever changed at the Western National Youth Conference on June 21, 1994. I was a 15 year old boy, and I knew that God was dealing with my heart about preaching His Word. During that Tuesday evening service, God called me to preach. The auditorium was so packed that there was not enough room to conduct a normal invitation. It was an amazing service that I will never forget. |
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| My first Youth Conference was 1990, that year I surrendered my life to follow the Lord. The preacher was Steve Roberson and his message was "Take no Thought for the Morrow" and how we only have 1 life to live. In 1991, I made vows to follow God's will for my life no matter what He asked me to do or where He asked me to go. In 1992, I consecrated my life and wanted to be set apart for something special even if it was going to cost something. In 1993, Steve Roberson preached on "A Disciple for Jesus Christ" To love Him supremely, follow Him anywhere, and to willingly sacrifice anything. God really used the conferences every year to build my faith and keep my focus spiritually. Through all the ups and downs of normal teen years, Conference was my strong hold. All of my decisions to follow Christ and stay faithful and pure was made at Youth Conference. I'm so glad for all the decisions I made. My husband and I both attended these conferences as teens, got married, had children, and know believe it or not, my husband is the Youth Pastor in the very church we grew up in. Lighthouse Baptist Church, San Diego. We are forever indebted to North Valley and the preachers who sacrificed their time to preach to young people. It is because of the decisions my husband and I made at Conference that we are where we are today. Thank you, and keep up the great work. Looking forward to this year as we bring the next generation of young people from our church to hear the preaching. We know the same Holy Spirit that worked in our lives will continue to work in the hearts of our youth this June. - Nicole (1990) California |
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I was just a bus kid who attended the public school, but I had a loving Pastor's wife who cared enough about me to take me to Youth Conference. I attended my first Youth Conference after the 6th grade and went every year until my senior year in high school. Some major decisions I made were to go to Bible College, to serve the Lord full-time, and to stay pure until I got married. Praise the Lord I was able to keep these decisions. If it were not for the influence of Youth Conference, I don't know where I would be today. Thank you North Valley and Dr. Trieber--You made a difference in my life. |
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| At Youth Conference in 2007, my sophomore year, I confirmed that God has called me to be a missionary and I'm now leaning toward Bolivia, South America. The messages really helped me and I am forever thankful to have been able to attend this conference. - Ethan (2007) California |
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| My first youth conference was in 1997. It was so exciting to see so many teenagers excited to be a Christian! That year I surrendered my life to full time christian service and to go to Golden State. It made such a huge impact on my life that I got burdened for our teens in Montana that were not able to go. The next year we did a bike-a-thon and we were able to bring 15 teens! We have been going ever since. My brother also surrendered to full-time Christian service in 2006 at youth conference and is finishing his 2nd year at Bible College. I graduated from Golden State in 2005 and have gone on to teach for the last 3 years as a Christian school teacher. I am so thankful for NVBC and Pastor Trieber. I believe that Youth Conference is a MUST for every teenager. - Melissa (1997) Montana |
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The 2007 North Valley Youth conference was a time of real spiritual refreshment for me - I was reading my Bible, praying and going to church faithfully but going to a secular college really wearied me down - having the evolution theory pushed in my face and people openly criticizing my Savior and my foundational beliefs was really hard. The youth conference was amazing and it was a wonderful time of growing more in the LORD, getting to know my youth group and leaders more and enjoying the fellowship of God's people. Thank you so much for this ministry. God bless North Valley. |
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| I attended my first youth conference when I was 13 and every year after that until I was 19, at every one I made new commitments and surrendered more of my life to the Lord but it was the year I was 16 that the Lord got a hold of my heart and I surrendered my life to the Lord after that I saw how my life changed for the better. I attended Golden State Baptist College and I am now married to the most wonderful man who the Lord has called to the Philippines, there is nothing quite like this youth conference and my life was changed every year a little more because of it. Thank you North Valley Baptist Church for everything you did every year to make the conference so wonderful and memorable. |
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| God must have been prodding my heart all along that I can't do it all myself. Through the Youth Conferences 1990 through 1995 I felt the Lord leading me to live a pure life for Him. The Lord called me to Bible College and I had no idea He was grooming my future husband back in my home town of Modesto. We are serving the Lord together and God has blessed us with four sons and one beautiful daughter. I have the awesome privilege of applying what I have learned through Youth Conference and Bible College and all the preaching these many years. -Michele (1990) California |
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My first youth conference was last year. Those few days really made me think about a good future. I decided to dress appropriately and to forget the past and move on with the present. I think the youth conferences are the best thing for teenagers heading in the wrong direction. |
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| When I was in Jr. High it was really hard to stand for right. I had a choice to either join the crowd or stand alone and do what I knew was right. I went to the conference that year and it seems like God was speaking to me saying, "The enemies you make by taking a strong stand will have more respect for you than the friends you have by straddling the fence." I came home and took a stand for right, and I thank God I did. Thank you, Pastor Trieber and NVBC. - Theresa (2004) California |
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| It was the Extreme Teen Conference. I made a lot of decisions that year. I remember one message that that really hit home for me. I remember crying my eyes out, because I knew that what he was saying was so true about my life at the time. So that night I wrote down, "Get back on fire for God" in the back of my Bible, so I'd never forget. That was the night I wanted to turn my life back around. And I turned my life around, I'm a better person now then I was back then. I'm going to Golden State for college this fall. And that's one teen conference that changed my life. - Sylvia (2006) California |
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| My first Youth Conference with North Valley Baptist Church was in 2003. There was great preaching and many fun things to do. I believe it was Thursday night that Bro. Swanson preached. He preached on not quitting and keep running. Throughout his sermon he jogged. He never stopped until he finished and that spoke volumes to me. That night I surrendered to full-time Christian service. Now, five years later I have the privilege of being a Youth Pastor and bringing teens to the same conference. God has been great to me and I know that any teenager that comes will get life changing principles and goals. Thank you so much for keeping this conference going for the next generation!!!!!!! - Jonathan (2003) Nevada |
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| Well I cant really remember what year it was but there was a message that was preached about being in the ministry that has really changed my life. THANK YOU so much for all of the conferences that you guys put on because if they have made a change in my life and in many kids in our youth group, thank you so much again! - Amber (2007) California |
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| Youth Conference has pointed out so many things to me over the years. Last year, my little brother Brandon accepted Christ as his Savior. It was a wonderful moment. I looked back and saw his tears. He told me it was real; he'd finally accepted my Jesus. Thanks to all who worked for the conference to be what it is. You've helped me straighten out my life on many different occasions. For that, I know your rewards in heaven will be great. Looking forward to this year. -Ashley (2007) California |
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| My first year at conference Bro. Schaap preached a message called A Polished Shaft and I believe that same year he preached America America, and those two messages I will never forget. Bro. Roberson one year preached a message called One Shot and that message has always stuck with me. I just thank God that I was able to go to conference from age 14-19 and I believe it is one of the reasons why I am still in church today, besides my parents and my church. I am now serving in my home church with my husband and we are expecting our first child, and I hope that conference is still around so that he will be able to go and make life changing decisions. - Danielle (1994) California |
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| I attended youth conference at North Valley for four years and was in a few sessions while in college at Golden State. I loved hearing Bro. Roberson and Bro. Schaap preach. I remember a message Bro. Schaap preached in which he used a board and nails as illustrations. He said that some of us try so hard to hammer the nail and we are sincere but we keep missing it. I believe that was my last year to attend as a teen and it was the last night of the meeting. That message was a great blessing to me. Many decisions and turning points in my life happened at North Valley?s youth conference. I am very thankful for all the work the church members have put into the conference and I hope they are able to continue many more years. - April (1999) California |
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| I had been saved a year prior but just started going to church that spring. The Lord had been working on my heart about a number of things yet I really didn't understand what He was doing. It was under the solid preaching of the Word of God in that conference where I truly realized what it was to be a Christian. God not only convicted me of sin, but through the preaching He spoke to me about how to have victory over that sin and to live a life pure for God's glory. It was at that conference that God first spoke to me about going to Bible College. That conference left me changed and now because of that, there are lives I've been privileged to impact who are either now in the ministry, or currently in Bible College getting trained to serve in the Ministry. I truly thank God for the youth conference, and the Leadership of Jack Trieber. - Jim (1995) California |
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| I absolutely love youth conference! I can't thank God enough for giving Pastor Trieber a vision for this youth conference and having it for this long. I got saved in 2004 so I haven't gotten to attend alot of youth conferences but I have gone to a couple and they have been so amazing! Every single service I went to, the Lord truly spoke to me in the many different areas I needed to work on in my life. He has used many of my favorite preachers (Tony Hutson, Mark Swanson, Pastor Trieber, Jeremy Kobernat, really all of them are good)!! The baseball game, Great America, and all the fun stuff that comes with it, is really just a small plus. For me, I come for the preaching and if no other teens came from my church I would come alone because I am not going to miss out on an opportunity to get my life worked on for the Lord!! Its just a wonderful place to be in the midst of so many people who think like you and believe the same things you do. We can serve God alone but it sure is nice to know that there are more people out there who will stand with me and serve Him today! I thank God for this amazing youth conference. Thank you NVBC for all your hard work and a huge thanks to Pastor Trieber also! - Felicia (2005) Nevada |
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| This was my first year attending a church in general. So when they told me about youth conference I jumped at the opportunity to go. It was one of the best events I've ever gone to in my life. I am now a sophomore in high school and I do believe that this event made a huge impact in my life. It has helped me this year keep my life on the track that God had planned out for me. I am looking forward to going to this years conference "The Main Event." I would like to thank all the pastors for coming and showing us the way of God. -Alyssa (2007) California |
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Well I just turned 13 about two years ago and my youth pastor Bro.Junar kept encouraging me to go to youth conference. All of my fellow teens encouraged me to go, saying it was fun, and my youth pastor kept reminding us to go so that God could do something. On June 21, 2006, as I sat in the balcony listening to Bro. Mark Swanson preach, God was pricking my heart to give my life to Him and surrender to full time service in the ministry. I went down to the altar and surrendered my life. I believe God had brought me there for a reason and I'm glad I went. I encourage other teens who are reading this to not just go for all the fun and games, but go so that God will change your life and give you a blessing. |
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| My first Youth Conference was in 2004. The theme was "Commissioned for the Kingdom". During the Wednesday evening service, God really got ahold of my heart. At the invitation, I surrendered to full-time Christian service. Since then, I have grown spiritually, and my walk with God has improved enormously. I can't wait for this year's Youth Conference! - Arianna (2004) California |
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