Listen to this article
Challenged to be who we are: youth councils expose delegates’ true identities.
by Ryan Mann –
On the last weekend of February, nearly 200 teenage delegates from Southern California gathered at a rainy Camp Mt. Crags for “Born Identity”—Youth Councils 2010. The emphasis was clear throughout the weekend: neither popularity nor pleasure nor success nor fame determines who we are, but rather Jesus gives us a new identity in him. All chapels and workshops were centered on this theme. As young people questioned, “Who am I?” and “What am I here for?” Colonel William Harfoot, Western Territory chief secretary, Captain Matt Madsen, Southern California divisional youth secretary, and Major Ivan Wild, Western Territory youth secretary, led delegates on a spiritual journey to discover their identities from God’s Word.
Despite the rain and an overflowing creek, teens braved the elements to participate in activities such as hiking, crafts, basketball, rock climbing, a high ropes course, and a soccer tournament.
The weekend culminated in two highlights. First, Christian comedian Carlos Oscar entertained with his clean stand-up comedy. And second, a group effort during commitment time produced a glow-in-the-dark cross, comprised of everyone’s individual thumbprints.
Youth councils gave delegates a time of discovering their true identity in Jesus alone.
Josh Tangermann, from the Torrance, Calif., corps, said: Youth councils was an amazing experience…I learned about who I am and who God wants me to be.…[Now I can] stand up for what I believe in and I don’t feel awkward talking about it. We grew up a bit. I feel truly blessed for that weekend.”