Whether the 1980s or 2000s, youth felt God's presence in a special way at Nazarene Youth Conference and emerged as new persons in Christ. This is reflected in the following testimony submitted to Nazarene Youth International by a current youth leader serving as an NYC 2011 coordinator:
 

Our NYC Testimony

I (Kaitlin) was a junior in high school when I attended NYC in Orlando, Florida, in July 1991.  

I went with a large group from the Sacramento District with great expectation. At the time, attending NYC was an application process that included memorizing scripture, writing a statement of faith, and being accepted to attend. I also took a summer job the year before in order to save enough money to attend the conference. I had no idea what impact this event would have on my life.  

During worship on the final night of the conference, I sat in a huge auditorium with 5,000 other teenagers, singing "Our God Is An Awesome God" lead by Al Denson. We held glow sticks in an otherwise dimly lit arena. People flooded the altar in response to God's presence. As I remained in my seat I prayed to God like I had never prayed before, feeling His presence in a new way. I felt a gentle hand on my back and turning around to see who had come to pray with me, I saw that the seats behind me were empty. A chill went through my entire body as I realized, I had been touched by God. I heard Him say then, "Kaitlin, you will be a part of this!" This is my calling for your life, He was saying, to be in life-long ministry for Me. After the service I went back to my hotel room and called my parents in tears and told them I had been called by God to be in ministry and I would spend the rest of my life living out that calling.

Mike, also a high school junior from the Southern California District, attended NYC'91. A believer in Christ but somewhat new to his faith, Mike loved the corporate worship of so many teens all together. During worship on the final night of the conference Mike watched as several hundred teenagers went to the altar receiving God's grace and turning lives over to Him. Mike, too, remained in his seat, praying. Knowing that many of those around him had left their seats, he hesitated as he felt a sure presence around him. For the first time Mike heard God speak audibly to him saying, "you will be a part of this". Knowing he had heard the very voice of God call him to a life of service and ministry, he cried tears of awe and anticipation of what his life would hold.

Three years later, Mike and I met at Point Loma Nazarene University. We dated for three years and were married July 1997. God is so amazing and so intentional that He would call us, having never met each other, on the SAME day, in the SAME place to the SAME calling.  

We have been in ministry (youth, then Christian camping, then Church ministry) for our entire marriage.  

'"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."' Isaiah 30:21

NYC 2011 will unfold July 5-10 in Louisville, Kentucky, with the theme of A World Unbroken. For more information, see www.nyc2011.org.