The summer of 2010 brought upon our second three-week CROSStraining program held in San Jose, CA. The Lord blessed us with 23 eager students from all across the United States and Canada. It was a time filled with learning, fellowship, and worship. Each morning would begin with Spirit-filled singing, powerful testimonies, and inspiriting thoughts from the Bible. This would prepare the students’ hearts and minds for the full day of instruction on Biblical doctrine and practical evangelism and witnessing. The students were also afforded the time to go into the community to hand out GLOW tracts and find people interested in studying the Bible. Several of the students were able to give their very first Bible study during CROSStraining. The three weeks came and went very quickly, but we are confident that the Lord will use these students to impact others for eternity.

Here are testimonies from some of this year's students:

“After attending CROSStraining I feel an ernest desire to share the testimony of Jesus Christ wherever I go. Thank you, ARISE, for teaching me how to take my spiritual journey to the next level.”

- Taylor Kielman, Washington

“CROSStraining has changed my life forever! Real, practical, and radial soulwinning!”

- Robert Villegas, California

“In every Bible study of every doctrine I’ve learned to teach God is love. ARISE taught me more than a method, it taught me about a relationship.”

- CROSStraining ’10 Student

“What’s great about CROSStraining is its ability to meet the student wherever they are in their spiritual walk. From new converts to born and raised Adventists, the program helps them reach new spiritual heights! There is no way you could come to CROSStraining without learning something.”

- Michelle Schiavo, Delaware

When was the last time you sat in complete and total silence? When was the last time you sat in complete and total silence with 1,300 teenagers? When was the last time you sat enveloped in the presence of God with your heart overflowing with love and gratitude listening to sacred music with hundreds of young people, most of whom cannot speak due to the upwelling of emotion in their souls? Does this sound impossible? With God all things are possible!

In April of this year at Youth in Mission, I experienced these things and felt the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isaiah 32:17) We all felt those words because we were in the presence of the Holy Spirit and, “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) We were free from anxiety. Free from guilt and sin. Free from selfish ambition. Free from arrogance and pride. Free from this temporary world. And what a blessing it was!

The presentations were simple, straightforward, and Bible based. No frills, no manufactured excitement. How then were the youth so moved, and so obviously impacted? How was it that they were so interested in the plain teaching of God's Word? In 1 Kings 18 we see two groups of worshipers and they are in conflict. A test is determined to find out who it is that worships the true God. Who is it that has a connection with the divine? The prophets of Baal put forward extraordinary effort to gain the attention of their God and in spite of all the display there is no fire. No power. No Spirit. Their antics prove ridiculous when put to the true test and are shown to be mere pretense. How different is the worship and prayer of Elijah? How simple? How ordinary? He does not need to overcompensate. He does not need to work himself up into an emotional frenzy. He simply kneels and prays and the fire of God comes with the confidence that can come only with a living connection to the Creator; the man of God pours water on the altar. Most Christians today would rather pour gasoline on it.

At Youth in Mission we preached and we exercised faith in the One who said, “Ask and you will receive.” He blessed and for His sake we testify. God is on the move and he is calling young and old to be a part of what is beginning to happen in our church. Specific appeals were made on the last two nights of the conference. “Commit a year of your life to full-time ministry in some capacity.” Hundreds of youth responded. “Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Hundreds responded. “Answer the call to pastoral ministry.” Over 20 responded. “Attend a mission school like LIFE, Amazing Facts, Josiah Mission, or ARISE.” Hundreds responded.

What are you doing with the life God's given you? Are you doing anything to assist the youth in the call that they are pursuing? Where are you investing your treasure? Why not seek God's call in your life? Why not be more than a spectator in these last days?

Youth in Mission is a South German Union Conference initiative geared toward inspiring and encouraging young Adventists. Its fourth annual conference was held in April 2010.  Matt Parra, the associate director of ARISE, preached the evening meetings.