Over 300 teens and sponsors attended the Great Lakes Youth Conference held at Faith Baptist Church of Davison on Saturday, April 18. The annual event, sponsored by the Independent Fundamental Baptist Association of Michigan, is a single-day conference packed with preaching, wacky comedy and skits, conservative Christian music, an all-you-can-eat lunch, and an array of fun activities in the afternoon. The conference organizers, several youth pastors from the Detroit/Flint area, were delighted with the excitement exhibited in both the senior high and junior high tracks and were grateful for a number of life-changing decisions made among the teens.  

Matt Herbster, Program Director from The WILDS Christian Camp, was the keynote speaker for the day. His energetic delivery kept the focus on biblical principles that could regenerate hearts and reinvigorate lethargic Christian teens.

A team of musicians from Maranatha Baptist Bible College, in Watertown, Wisconsin, provided top quality music for the conference. They, as well, participated in a couple of unique question and answer break-out sessions discussing the ins and outs of choosing how to receive a solid Christian collegiate education.

The teens went various directions for the afternoon activities. They could be found bowling, playing some intense outdoor paintball or enjoying a plethora of activities at the University of Michigan Recreation Center in Flint. The junior high teens had a blast slapping on some skates at Ice Mountain in Burton.

Competition was in full swing for the all-you-can-eat pizza lunch. Five local pizzerias vied for the “Big Cheese” title, given to the pizzeria with the most votes for the best pizza in an informal voting by a selection of the oldest teen guys. Senior high teens and adults alike stacked their plates with slices of pizza as they sampled the various pizza styles and flavors, ranging from the regular pepperoni pizza on to an array of amazing supreme pizzas. The pizzerias that participated in the competition this year were Cottage Inn Pizza, Hungry Howie’s, Jet’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, and Little Caesar’s. The conference committee is grateful for the participation of all these Davison businesses and making the “Big Cheese” a tremendous experience.

Next year’s Great Lakes Youth Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010. Evangelist Morris Gleiser will be the speaker.