Conference Youth Attend Youth 2007 in Greensboro, North Carolina

Thirteen youth along with four adults from Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference attended Youth 2007 in Greensboro, North Carolina July 11 through 15th. Oklahoma Conference had chartered two buses and allowed space for youth from our conference which were officers of CCYM or Region officers.

Those attending were: Jalisa and Chelsea Ross, Haikey Chapel UMC; Eco Lowe, Big Cussetah UMC; Rae Kernell, Billy Hooton UMC; Krysten Daukei and Joanna Gomez, Huntinghorse UMC; Jacob Tsotigh, III, Norman First American; Joseph McHenry, Broken Arrow UMC; Kiowa Dupoint and Mogee Quoetone; Mt. Scott Kiowa; Elizabeth White, D.D. Etchieson; Kirk Taylor, St. Paul UMC; and Mark Billy, Old Cedar UMC. The adults were Cordelia McHenry and Christie Kernell, Conference Youth Coordinators, Rev. Walter Quoetone, Southwest Region Youth Coordinator and Josephine Deere, Director of Programs & Interpretation from the Conference office.

Seven thousand seven hundred attendees attended Splatshops, heard inspiring messages as well as storytellers and attended concerts all focused around the theme "SPLAT - Seek, Pray, Learn, Act, Teach."

Wednesday′s theme was Seek with the speaker Bishop Scott Jones. We were led in praise amd worship each morning and evening by the praise band "Fusebox". Wednesday night concert featured the "Katinas".

Thursday′s theme was Pray. Bible study was lead by Rev. Michael Williams and the speaker for the evening was Bishop Linda Lee. Thursday night concert featured "Superchic(k)".

Friday′s theme was Learn. We spent time in our jurdisdiction groups during the morning session. South Central Jurisdiction had the largest in attendance with over 1200 attending. The evening message was presented by Bishop Minerva Carcano and the concert featured "Kutless".

Saturday′s theme was Act. Rev. Michael Williams led us in Bible study and the evening speaker was Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball. Saturday concert feature was "Stellar Kart".

Sunday′s theme was Teach and the closing speaker was Ray Buckley.

Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference received a Youth Service Fund Certificate of Excellence for achieving the status of a 2006 "Top Ten" Youth ServiceFund Conference for dollars based on per capita. Thank you to all the churches and youth groups who contributed to the Youth Service Fund for 2006 and who are continuing to contribute in 2007! A new DVD is available from the Young People′s Ministries with the General Board of Discipleship titled "In Search of the YSF, Stories of the Youth Service Fund."

"The worship, the speakers, everything about Youth 2007 was AWESOME! Imagine 5000 youth in one room praising God, there′s nothing like it; I am a changed person!" said Mark Billy, CCYM President from Old Cedar. "On behalf of the CCYM, I would like to thank all who made it possible for the CCYM and it's officers to attend this amazing event."