ANKENY, Iowa—What do 1,100-plus teenagers gathered in one place, dozens of teens making spiritual decisions, more than 10 inflatable rides, go-carts, RC trucks, “Ga-Ga Ball,” inflatable obstacle courses, video games, trampoline bungee jumps, water wars, contests, preaching, and food all mean?
They sum up the 2009 FaithFest at Faith Baptist Bible College. Youth groups from all over the Midwest converged on Faith Baptist Bible College’s campus Oct. 3 for the annual one-day event, with the supporting help of Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. Attendees from as far away as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Tennessee, South Dakota, Michigan, and even Colorado made the trip. Teens reunited with old friends and met new friends as they competed and as they stood in the lunch line.
Andy Giessman, the youth speaker for the conference, began the day speaking directly to the teens’ hearts on the topic of salvation as he preached a clear gospel message. Later in the day he spoke about standing up for God as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. During the invitation times at the end of both sessions, many teens made decisions to follow God’s leading in their lives, decisions that they would take home with them.
