Friday, March 21, 2008

Youth Convention 2008


What a week!!! The Western District Youth Convention was fabulous! My husband and I were kept busy working the freeWAY booth and spent two full days judging potential candidates as they auditioned for the 2008 WAY Choir season. We had so many auditions we barely had time to grab lunch and get ready for the evening services. There is some amazing talent in our district! Bryce had a full schedule singing with the praise team every night, two performances with freeWAY, and a solo for the mass choir. freeWAY's debut CD was released Tuesday and sales were great. The baritone for freeWAY, Lawrence, was unable to attend and D'Andre Franklin of San Diego, California, did a fabulous job as substitute baritone. The above picture is Tyler, D'Andre, and Bryce by the banner for their booth. On the last night, many from the crowd swarmed the stage and surrounded the praise team. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see Bryce in a white jacket just left of the podium in front of the drums. Praise erupted and for over an hour, the youth sang, danced, and worshipped elbow-to-elbow in the crowd of approximately 4,000.
You all know I am a huge fan of Bryce and freeWAY, but the highlight of the conference was the main speaker, Rev. Sam Emory, of Merced, California. You can visit his church website here: www.upcmerced.com Bro. Emory was over-the-top, off-the-hook, sic, tight, awesome, and the 100 other phrases kids use to say "really good." He addressed pertinent issues of morality, racism, and the importance of living a godly life. His straight forward manner of speaking is exactly what this generation needs. More later - my bones are begging to sink into my bed.

10 comments:

  1. Jana, It looks and sounds like you guys had a great time! All of the hard work will pay off as the young make up their mind to walk a victorious life with God!

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  2. Looks like fun. Going to youth convention was always one of the highlights of my year.

    Is the WAY choir going to tour again? If so where?

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  3. Kevin - thanks for your comment. It was an excellent conference.

    Von de Leigh - you missed it! It was one of the best youth conventions - ever. WAY Choir will tour again this summer throughout the Western District.

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  4. Sounds like Youth Convention was out of this world. Thanks for sharing. BTW, we need to get together soon!

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  5. Youth Convention was BOMB!!! freeWAY did great! i miss it!!! haha! bro. emory was so funny! "Brothers!","dont cha wish ya girlfriend was saved like me" LOL!! nice seein ya there sista allard :)

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  6. Debbie - YES!!!! We need to get together! It has been too long!

    Anonymous - I agree. Youth Convention was one of the best ever and freeWAY did a great job.

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  7. heya sista allard :D yes, YC was AWESOME!!! lol hope to see you soon

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  8. Great news! Our young people had a great time, as usual. Glad it was great again this year.

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  9. Sis. Allard,

    I missed you at YC! I attempted twice to go over to the booth to say hello, but you were a busy bee talking to folks, etc. I have to say I was so impressed by freeWAY. When they sang on Thursday night, I just had the tingles all over and tears in my eyes. It was so beautiful! Congrats to your son!

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  10. Anonymous - Thanks for dropping by.

    Ronda - Wish you could have been there.

    Monica - next time, just come behind the table at the booth and everything will come to a stop for me to hug you. Sorry I missed you, too. Thanks for the compliment for the boys. I was certainly proud of them!

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