First Youth Conference for rising above

"Heavy but good!"

"Very helpful!"

"The presenter's stories touched me."

"Powerful words!"

These were the words used by young people to describe their experience at Rising Above's first "youth conference on abuse issues" hosted by Beaver Lake Camp in Dryden, Ontario. Facilitated by the gifted team of Native presenters from Rising Above, many of the youth took steps towards God in repentance, forgiveness, and salvation and others were encouraged and strengthened to continue to follow Jesus.

In the opening session, Mervin Cheechoo, explained to the youth that the problems youth are experiencing today such as substance abuse, suicide, aimlessness, violence, sexual problems and spiritual apathy are really symptoms of deeper problems or hurts that lie below the surface of their lives--sexual abuse, abusive parents, lack of love and affection in the home and "father wounds". He pointed them to Jesus as the one who can heal these hurts.

In other sessions, the presenters drew from their personal stories and experience. Selma Poulin and Linda Martin presented sessions on sexual abuse and its emotional, physical and spiritual impact along with ways to deal with that impact. In an effort to help the youth better understand their own history and family disintegration, Howard Jolly and Selma Poulin described the residential school experience and the impact it has had. In addition, Linda Martin and Gary Quequish spoke candidly to the youth about issues of sexuality, primarily premarital sex.

In what seemed to be the turning point of the weekend, Mervin and Howard spoke powerfully to the youth about choosing the path of life to healing and wholeness by repenting of the way they have responded to their pain and turning to God to ask Him to help them choose forgiveness rather than bitterness, revenge or self-destruction. Many of the youth who the evening before, in sharing circles, had shared personal stories of the pain of abuse, loss and abandonment, came forward in response to the call to repent and forgive.

In the last session, Mervin drew the conference to a close by presenting a picture of the Heavenly Father's heart for His children. The front of the chapel was crowded with youth and adults responding to the invitation to receive the Father's blessing.

What an encouragement it was to see these youth take steps towards life in God when so much in their world draws them away.

For information about Rising Above, visit www.risingabove.ca or call 204-388-5408.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Intertribal Christian Communications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group