by Jennifer Park (D.C. 2006 conference attendee)

Jackson, NJ

 

Last year I simply watched as my older sister and the entire young adults group of my church registered for JAMA New Awakening in Washington D.C. My sister asked if I was going to register, but I simply shook my head. I didn’t have that kind of money to register or even the time! I was about to enter my 4th year in college and had a heavy schedule as it was already. One day, I got out of bed and the only thoughts in my head were, “register for New Awakening” so without hesitation, I went to the Web site and registered. The money would come, I knew that, so I just went ahead and registered. 

 

I thought New Awakening would be a simple conference but the speakers and praise surpassed any expectation I might have had. The services were incredible but what was really remarkable was the alone time I spent with God on that conference. I had distanced myself from God for quite sometime and I knew He had brought me to that conference for a reason. The first evening, I prayed… and I prayed hard. However, I heard and felt nothing. Actually, I did hear something. I heard negative voices and whispers in my head telling me I was a lowly sinner and coming here was a mistake. I could never go back to God and it was over for me. I literally felt like I was dying. I was so hurt and confused but at the same time, I realized just how horrible my life was when I wasn’t giving Jesus 100% of me. I spent the next day in a lot of prayer and even spent time in the counseling session offered at the conference. I realized that if I wanted God to be my life, I had to make Him my life!  Let go, and let God. 

 

At that conference He made it very clear the life I was leading was not the life He had planned for me and I was only hurting Him. I came home from that conference and made immediate changes in my life. I registered as a teacher for an upcoming youth conference. From starting off going to JAMA New Awakening to teaching at that youth conference, I realized my calling. I made a commitment to change and carried that commitment out. I’ll be graduating in just a few months from college and have made a commitment to go to seminary once I am graduated. I am answering God’s calling to be a youth pastor now and I have never been happier or more excited in my entire life. And the conference and registration? My sister paid for my registration fee. The money, of course, did come.