Over 200 area teens are expected to attend the YMCA Teen Summit, Impact 2010. The event was organized by the YMCA Christian Emphasis Committee. The inaugural event will be held on May 14 beginning at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church located at 5201 Dayton Blvd. in Chattanooga.
The goal of the event is to empower teens to “impact” their community. Organizers say that impact should extend to their respective YMCAs, their schools, their neighborhoods and their peers.
Joe Smith, regional director of the YMCA Community Action Project (Y-CAP), said, “We have put together what we think will be a high energy evening that will inspire and challenge our teens to get more involved in the community and encourage their friends to do the same."
Each attendee will receive an Impact 2010 T-shirt and a free dinner. The meal will be “heart smart,” in keeping with the YMCA’s emphasis on encouraging everyone to eat a healthier diet.
The evening will begin with a time for teens to socialize followed by a fellowship hour with sports and games in the church’s Impact Center and Gymnasium. Dinner will follow at 7 p.m. Tennessee Temples Praise Band and members of the youth ministry staff at Calvary Baptist will lead teens in praise and worship.
Josh Sarmiento, pastor OF Destiny Community Fellowship in Cleveland, will be the keynote speaker, and NewsChannel 9 personality Don Welch will serve as the emcee.
Mr. Smith said, “The committee has a vision to grow this into an annual event. We especially want to thank Calvary Baptist church for their partnership with the YMCA by providing transportation form our YMCA’s to the church and for allowing us to use their Impact Center.
“Our hope is that teens will benefit from the influence of other teens who are living a life of faith and be inspired to step forward to serve others."