By Hyung Seok LEE
CV Weekly Intern

More than 250 students from the Glendale Unified School District gathered at First Baptist Church La Crescenta on Friday and Saturday June 11-12 for two nights of worship. The praise night was called “The Wonderful Cross” with Christian clubs from CV High School, Glendale High School, and Hoover High School sponsoring the event.
The praise night director was Kevin Kang, a senior at CVHS who serves as Falcon Christian Fellowship’s (FCF) president. By joining hands with presidents at the various Christian clubs throughout the school district, a night of unity between the schools stood as the primary purpose for the praise night.
“I feel that this praise night succeeded in setting a foundation of unity among the Christian clubs in the GUSD. The staff bonded very closely through the Lock-In and other unifying events,” Kang said.

The first night began at 6 p.m. in the church parking lot with a pizza dinner catered by Guidos Pizza. Throughout the whole night, the staff took shifts praying nonstop for God’s hand to be on the people attending the praise night. Pastor William Chung was the guest speaker for Friday night and he spoke about his personal experience in meeting Christ, from being kicked out of three countries to, at age 16, accepting Jesus Christ into his heart. His message was targeted toward non-Christians and when the call came for those who desire to devote their lives to Jesus, nearly half the audience stood up declaring their life for Christ.

The second night was directed toward the believers. Pastor Bill Flanders, head pastor of First Baptist Church, was the guest speaker. He spoke on the how one can tell if he or she is a true Christian. His message revolved around the ability for a Christian to love as Jesus had, and how the ability to love displays the characteristics of a true Christian.
Both nights began with a series of worship songs led by the GUSD praise team. The worship was followed by a message by the guest speaker and a time of prayer led by the guest speaker and also a Christian club leader. The night concluded with a few more songs of worship.
“It was a heck of a lot of work, but I felt that the intentions behind the night remained pure and as long as God was glorified, I am content with whatever happened,” Kang said. “As long as God was glorified through it all, I feel that it was worth it.”
Now that a stronger unity has been established, communication is expected to be easier and the “ice” broken.
The leadership in the clubs hope to host another praise night during the month of November.

  Crescenta, FIRST BAPTIST