New Attitude has a new name, new lineup of speakers, and a new location. A lot is changing for 2009.

I had heard the gospel a thousand times before. Having been raised in a Christian home by godly parents, I was familiar with the story of Jesus’ death on the cross for sinners. I had even prayed a simple prayer as a child, asking Jesus to come into my heart, and from then on I assumed I was saved. My parents also had no reason to question my salvation; outwardly I was a well-behaved, obedient child. But inwardly, my heart had not been changed and it was bearing bad fruit of pride, selfishness, and anger. I was in rebellion towards God, and, as I grew older, there was no evidence of godly fruit in my thoughts and attitudes. In college, I distinctly remember being terrified that I was not saved, because I knew that meant I was bound for hell, but not being willing to admit to anyone that I was not the God-fearing Christian I pretended to be.

God was, however, graciously drawing me to himself, and by his providence I found myself attending New Attitude with my sisters in 2004. There, I heard the gospel preached again and again, but it didn’t make any initial impact, until one night Josh Harris touched on the doctrine of sin in one of his messages. The Spirit opened my blinded eyes, and for the first time I truly understood my sinfulness and need for a savior! I was blown away by the realization that it was my sin that led Jesus to the cross, and that he willingly gave up his life for me. Over the next few days at New Attitude, God drastically changed my heart as I soaked in hours of rich biblical teaching, and when I got back to school my friends began asking why I was so different.

In 2006, I was able to attend New Attitude again, and I spent the weekend marveling at what a change God had wrought in my heart in just two short years. By his amazing grace, and through the faithfulness of Josh and the other speakers at New Attitude, he had changed me from a rebellious, deceitful sinner into a grateful and sincere follower of Jesus Christ. Now every time I remember the gospel, my heart rejoices with the apostle Paul: thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!