Sydney teenager Ruth Monsted says she's found that elusive "x-factor' in Jesus, thanks to the efforts of her Eastwood youth group and this year's KYCKSTART conference.
The 15 year old Deniston school student discovered Christianity just over a year ago and has been attending her local youth group at St Phillip's Eastwood ever since.
She says being a Christian opens up a whole new level of coolness.
"Christianity has taught me that being content means to have strength from within, and to have strength you must live your life through Christ," she says.
"KYCKSTART gave me the strength to keep going and not give up."
Close to 6000 teenagers have spend the last two weekends at the annual conference.
This year's theme, "The Christ Factor', focussed attention on the completed work of Christ and the difference the promise of eternal life makes for God's people.
Speakers included Dean Rerekura, pastor of Campbelltown City Baptist Church, Leon Stead, associate Pastor at Narrabeen Baptist Church, and Eugene Hor, the minister at the Burwood Chinese Presbyterian Church.
Talks taken from the book of Philippians used today's obsession with reality television programs to demonstrate the power of "The Christ Factor'.
Youth leaders say the success of KYCKSTART in encouraging young Christians is largely due to the way in which it combines a dynamic and fun-filled atmosphere whilst offering a clear view of God and a believer’s role in the world around them.
"There is a lot to be said about the teaching. The kids really do appreciate the Bible being taught clearly and it revitalises their Christian life," explains St Phillip's youth leader Becky Carrit.
"It has become cool to go. You're up there with 3000 others so you're fitting in for once, which if you're a Christian at school you might not normally feel that comfortable," Ms Carrit says.
KYCKSTART is held annually over two weekends of the April school holidays with approximately 3000 high school students in attendance each weekend.
More information can be found at the Katoomba Christian Conventions website.
