The Southwest Voice

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“I love to sing and dance, I love to travel, and I love making new friends and most of all I love Jesus! I had an exciting opportunity this summer to travel the country singing, dancing and performing with the Young Continentals!” said Mikayla Feil. What a perfect summer for an eighth-grader from Tevis Junior High School.

^{The Young Continentals, made up of kids age 12 to 16 from all over the United States, traveled many miles this summer visiting nine states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. The tour started July 7 with a 10-day rehearsal camp in Oxnard, Calif. and ended Aug. 20. They were on the road in their bus with a concert nearly every night with two on Sundays!}

^{They may be young, but they had a powerful message to share. The concerts opened with a high energy pop version of “Celebration” and "Jumpin in the House of God."}

^{With statistics about teen depression on the rise, this group performed an intense musical drama that focused on the pressure young teens feel to conform to societies ideals. Songs like Barlow Girls "Mirror" echoed the drama's truth. Followed by fun and upbeat songs like "Trust in You" and "We talk to the Lord" about a relationship with Jesus Christ and the power of prayer.} 

^{This young touring group was their own set-up crew. Everything from unloading the bus to ironing the concert clothes were done by members of the tour. They performed with lots of energy and then did their own entire tear-down afterward. They stayed with host families from the different churches and sometimes visited a national landmark along the way.} 

<sup>Not all of the concerts were held in churches! Occasionally the kids performed at a senior care facility or in a city park. The Lord taught these kids many things this summer. Flexibility and patience were very high on the list right below trusting the Lord in every situation! 

Would Mikayla do this again? YES! She already plans to be a Young Continental again next summer! To find a concert or join a tour you can check them out online at:  http://www.continentalsinge... href="http://www.continentalsingers.org/about.htm">http://www.continentalsinge...</sup>