We are so excited to introduce you to the YC 2009 blog where you can dig deeper into the theme and your role as a small group leader. We would love for this to be a place where you can post your comments, thoughts, struggles, and questions.

As a cabinet we have been exploring this year’s theme -- Noise.

We live in a noisy world. Our senses are constantly flooded with sound. Can you imagine a world in which there are no cars or planes speeding by, no speakers blaring, and no roaring televisions? Imagine if there were no iPods attached to our ears or cell phones continually ringing. Would there be any noise left? Our lives would be silent in comparison to today's society. Think about it. Such silence would be uncomfortable. The silence would be deafening.

How does all of this noise affect our relationship with God?

This journey on looking at the affects of noise and faith started during an hour long car ride with no music. It was surprising to find how many things I could think through and the number of ideas I could grasp in this time of silence. Noise had been getting in the way of completing a thought. So often, our inability to tune out the noise leaves us tuned out to what God is doing in our lives. Engaging in the discipline of silence and solitude can be significant ways to learn how to listen again. When was the last time you were in a space of listening to God’s voice?

We can find God in both the silence and the noise. In Scripture we see that Jesus spent time away from the crowds in quiet prayer and reflection, as well as time teaching and preaching. The Psalmist exhorts us to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” This presents an interesting paradox. Though the noise of today's society impedes on our relationship with Christ, we also need to create noise that aligns with the Christian worldview which deafens all falsehoods and allows truth to be heard.

Noise is the starting place for Youth Conference 2009. We are excited to explore this issue with you and to see where God leads us in this journey. You are going to be the face to the theme.

We are so thankful that you have committed to invest your time, your energy, and your heart to serving the students who will be coming to YC this year. The way God uses each and every one of you to touch the life of a high schooler makes your work invaluable. God speaks. God will speak through you and to you during the next six weeks as you begin preparing for YC.

You will be Christ to the students and youth leaders who come to Youth Conference 2009.

You will be the hands and feet of Jesus to the freshman guy whose parents were recently divorced and who is supposed to be spending the weekend at his dad’s house.

You will be the hands and feet of Jesus to the sophomore girl who is insecure and dresses to get attention from guys in order to feel loved.

You will be the hands and feet of Jesus to the junior guy who is trying to figure out how to follow God, but his teammates keep pulling him down.

You will be the hands and feet of Jesus to the senior girl who wants to come to a Christian college, but her parents can’t afford it.

What an exciting opportunity to be Jesus to a group of students who need him so desperately and to need to know that he is real and his promises are true. It is our desire that this time of training will be valuable, not only during YC, but as you participate in ministry throughout your life.

Bryant and Megan