Nearly 1,500 high school students from across North America shook the Briercrest College and Seminary campus during Youth Quake, the schools’ action-packed annual youth convention known as a “party with a purpose”, from February 22-24.

Guests included Jared Herd of Northpoint Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia, Juno Award-winner Amanda Falk, CCM Readers Choice Award-Winners Family Force 5, metal band Disciple, Christian illusionist Jared Hall, comedy group 321 Improv Comedy, the interactive and unique musicians of Lost and Found, and the Briercrest-born worship band ELEVATE and hip-hop dance and drama team Refined/Undignified.

Herd, the keynote speaker, challenged students in four main sessions to “Live Out Loud,” saying that Christianity is more about attitude changes and faith than behavior modification.

Falk complemented his messages with her unique, pop-rock worship style and a message of freedom. She also led two girls-only seminars after the main sessions entitled “Beautiful Unique Girl”, where she challenged the teenaged girls to look beyond magazine covers to measure their value.

Caronport’s Hildebrand chapel pulsed with the sounds of laughter and hard rock on Friday evening as Briercrest College and Seminary students presented a comedic, sitcom and movie-themed kick-off skit and a “smashing” garbage-can Stomp routine. Disciple and Family Force 5 performed afterward at a late-night concert.

One of the weekend’s focal points was freefall, an initiative YQ began last year. Rather than funding a bigger concert, YQ facilitates new, exciting mission work among YQ retreaters. Groups are invited to put together mission project proposals that, if chosen, will allow them to walk away with a donation of up to $8,000.

Look for highlight pictures of YQ at the BCast photo gallery.