"The highest form of praise is obedience,” stated Gary James at Alaska’s Youth Rally. While most of America was concentrating on the sweet and the scary of Halloween, a number of Adventist young people gathered for the rally held in Palmer for south-central and interior Alaska’s youth. James, of Atlanta, Ga., enthusiastically spoke to the teen and older attendees during the Friday evening and all-day Sabbath program. His high energy presentation challenged the youth to live lives of highest praise in all aspects including their relationships. James referred to the book, Why I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and encouraged the young people to be deliberate in their choices. He stated that friendship and courtship are biblical; the typical form of dating is not.
Music for the rally was led by local musicians, Daniel Maccarone and David and Ben Velasquez. Eager to present Christ through the medium of contemporary music, the band calls themselves Sabyas which stands for "saved by association." This young adult group is finding their music ministry growing through exposure received during an August concert at the Anchorage public library.
The Hillside-O’Malley and Midtown churches contributed food for Sabbath meals coordinated by Michelle Mucha.
Gary James energetically challenged young people to be deliberate in giving obedience as their highest form of praise.
Daniel Maccarone of the musical group Sabyas leads the youth in praise music.
