Hot Topic: Prayer Room

Here's a sneak peek on one of the hot topics that will be offered to you and your students this year!

TSUNAMI PRAYER ROOM
 Jesus did it all the time. He would escape to the mountains or a garden by himself to be with God. No disciples asking him questions, nobody asking him to heal them; just great one on one time with his Father. The prayer room is a place for you to do the same: be with your God. No distractions, no cell phones, nobody watching or judging you. The prayer room is a unique space especially designed for you to connect with your Father. Freely express your heart and mind through worship, art, and other interactive stations, and experience an out of the box way to engage with God.

Make sure to check out the Prayer Room and spend some time praying in a creative way!

Led by Michelle Lee

Past experiences @ TSUNAMI

When my students look back and think about Tsunami here are some of the things they remember.

1. NO parents, NO Curfew:
2. Pillow fights in the Hotel:
3. All you can eat buffets:
4. Rockén out with the Bands:
5. Hearing Awesome speakers:
6. Having a great time with Great Christian friends:

When I look back and I think about Tsunami here are some of the things I remember.

1. No parents, but we have video cameras in each hotel room and we have set up tracking devices on all cell phones.
2. Lots of fun high energy games so that students ZONK out during the night and actually get lots of rest for the spiritual recharge they’re about to get the next day!
3. We do eat well so that the youth have energy to keep up with the fun fast pace of TSUNAMI
4. Enjoying ear plugs while the bands play, seeing our youth jump up and down, lifting up hands in worship, while I really get to meditate on the words of the songs the band is actually singing.
5. Hearing theologically sound speakers bringing the same truth that I’ve been teaching all year round but for some reason the youth get it this time! AMAZING!
6. Getting to fellowship with other youth groups, build relationships with other youth pastors and listening to their strategies as they do ministry in a context similar to mine.

I pray you and your students are charged up and ready for the time of your life here at TSUNAMI !!

Jeremy Williams
Pastor to Students

Makin' Friends in San Jose

5 Guys in San Jose are
"More than Enough"

So you're a youth, and it's free time at Tsunami in San Jose...

What are you gonna' do?

You can choose to go shopping, go get something to eat, go to a movie, some students choose to work out in the gym at the hotel, some even get together to discuss their last Hot Topic. But there are some who walk around the town making friends with everyone they meet, and then ask their new found friends to pose for a photo with them. Yes, that's what 5 guys from Daybreak did last year during free time. I am curious to see if they will run into any of their "friends" this year.

Besides creating photo opps. there are many fun experiences to be had! I personally am looking forward to spending some down time with the students from my church, hearing some awesome speakers, experiencing some great worship, and reflecting on the kind of "mark" I leave on my world.

Daybreak Uth Minister'
Dawn Holleman

GOOD EATS

In preparation for Tsunami, one of the most common questions among leaders may very well be "what are my students going to eat?" It can get a bit tedious not knowing what is available, but fear not! I have dedicated this page to inform you of all the local restaurants and some helpful tips in making your trip as smooth as butter.

Johnny Rockets

105 S 1st st. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 977-1414

Categories: burgers

Price: less than $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Hours: 11am-9pm

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks (behind the Fairmont Hotel)

Pros/Cons: In walking distance, clean, great customer service Cons: small indoor seating

Note: Usually one of the "hot spot" for lunch and dinner- be prepared to wait

Tandoori Oven

150 S. 1^st Street. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 292-7222

www.thetandoorioven.com

Categories: Indian, Pakistani

Price: moderate $11-$20

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks (behind the Fairmont Hotel)

Pros/Cons: Great place for wraps and salads, in walking distance, clean, great customer service

McDonalds

90 E San Carlos St. San Jose, Ca 95112 (408) 293-7016

Categories: burgers

Price: under $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Distance from Convention Center: 4 blocks

Pros/Cons: Quick place to grab a bite to eat

Note: Another “hot spot” for students- expect to wait

Subway

165 W San Fernando St. San Jose, Ca (408) 297-8090

Categories: sandwiches

Price: under $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Hours: 8am-9pm

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks

Pros/Cons: $5 foot long sandwiches (can't beat that price)

Note: Not enough seats for an entire group

Pizza My Heart

117 E San Carlos St. San Jose, Ca

(408) 280-0707

www.pizzamyheart.com

Price: under $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Hours: 11am-11pm

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks (behind the Fairmont Hotel)

Pros/Cons: fast and decent pizza, sold by the slice or whole, both indoor and outdoor seating

Note: Another "hot spot"- expect to wait

Peggy Sue’s

29 N San Pedro Street suite 100

(408) 298-6750

www.peggysues.com

Categories: Diner, American

Price: less than $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Good for Groups: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Hours: 8am-8pm

Distance from Convention Center: 1 block (behind the Tech Museum)

Pros/Cons: Decent place for burgers and fries, both indoor and outdoor seating

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

115 E San Carlos St

(408) 275-8827

www.benjerry.com

Categories: Ice cream & frozen yogurt

Price: less than $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Distance from Convention Center: 4 blocks

Pros/Cons: Great place to get desert Cons: May be too cold for ice cream

You Should Try: Cherry Garcia and Fish Food

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

150 S 1^st St. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 287-3565

www.bajafresh.com

Categories: Mexican

Price: less than $10

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Hours: 11:00am-10:00pm

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks (behind the Fairmont Hotel)

Pros/Cons: Quick service, great place to get mexican food

Note: Another “hot spot” for lunch and dinner- expect to wait

You Should Try: Original baja soft taco with pork carnitas

Chicago Pizza

155 W San Fernando St. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 283-9400

www.pizzachicago.com

Categories: Pizza

Price: moderate ($11-$30)

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Reservations: Yes

Hours: 11:00am-10:00pm

Distance from Convention Center: 2 blocks

Pros/Cons: Amazing pizzas, accommodates parties up to 150 people (call in advance), great service and worth every penny

You Should Try: The Wrigley Field, The Al Bundy (watch out for the garlic!)

Original Joe’s (For adults/leaders)

301 S 1^st Street. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 292-7030

www.originaljoes.com

Categories: Italian

Price: Moderate ($11-$30)

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Reservations: No

Hours: 11:00am-1:00am

Distance from Convention Center: 1 block

Pros/Cons: Food is great, large portions, great customer service, open late

You Should Try: Baked Lasagna, Chicken parmigiana, Italian sausage with onions & peppers

Sonoma Chicken Coop (Transportation Needed)

31 N Market St. San Jose, Ca 95113

(408) 287-4098

www.sonomachickencoop.com

Categories: American

Price: Moderate ($11-$30)

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Takes Reservations: No

Good for Groups: Yes

Hours: 11:00am-10:00pm

Distance from Convention Center: 5 blocks

Pros/Cons: Indoor and outdoor seating, great food, clean

You Should Try: BBQ Chicken Salad, Lasagna, chocolate fondue

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Transportation needed)

51 N San Pedro St. San Jose, Ca 95110

(408) 288-7488

www.osf.com

Categories: Italian

Price: moderate ($11-$30)

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Take Out: Yes

Take Reservations: Yes

Hours: Mon-Fri. 11:30am-2:00pm (lunch); Mon-Fri. 5:00pm-9:00pm (dinner)

Distance from Convention Center: 5 blocks

Pros/Cons: Great for large groups, indoor and outdoor seating

Note: Extremely busy- reservations recommended

You Should Try: Pot pourri, Italian sausage w/meat sauce, chicken parmigiana

Coffee Shops

Starbucks

408 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, Ca (408) 277-5448 (inside the convention center)

150 S 1st Street. #135 San Jose, Ca (408) 293-9945 (Hours: 5:30am- 10pm; 2 blocks)

125 S Market St. #101, San Jose, Ca (408) 293-3274 (Hours: 6am-7pm; 2 blocks)

Caffe Trieste (next to Original Joe's, 1 block)

315 S 1st St. San Jose, Ca (408) 287-0400

Hours: 7am-10pm

Philz Coffee (4 blocks)

118 Paseo de san Antonio, San Jose, Ca (408) 971-4212 (Hours: 7am- 10pm)

philzcoffee.com

-sherann

Tsunami Testimonial

Today, I received a beautiful email from a mom about how Tsunami has affected the lives of her two daughters. With her permission, I share it below.

When your conference was held here [two] years ago, our two daughters went with our church. They were 12 & 14 at the time.

The theme was "Bigger Than Yourself." Liza was on the verge of her 13th birthday. She was entering her teen years and wanted to do something special but just couldn't decide what. During the conference, the Lord gave her a vision and she came home very excited because she knew exactly what she wanted to do!

She made fliers and sent them to all of her friends. She was having a canned food drive for the Long Beach Rescue Mission. She asked all of her friends to collect canned goods, she didn't want gifts, only donations for the mission. On her actual birthday, her friends came to our home and we filled four vans full of canned goods and teenagers. We went to the mission and put all the cans into their pantry. The mission was surprised and blessed by how much food we brought and how much help we had. We went back to our house for a simple but fun party with her friends.

That party was a highlight for her, her friends and their parents.

It didn't stop there. When we were at the mission, they mentioned that they are always in need of bath towels. Soon after, two of her friends that had come to the party did a towel drive. These girls were written up in the local paper about their good deed, and they referenced Liza as their source of inspiration.

For Liza's 14th birthday party this year, she did the same thing, but for a different ministry. She collected items for abused women and children, then spent the day, with her friends, at the ministry helping organize donated items. Her friends were excited and inspired and wanted to come back and work there more often.

She went on a two-week missions trip to Costa Rica over the summer, continuing the thought "Bigger Than Myself." It drives her to continually serve the Lord through active ministry.

This was all sparked by her attendance at the Tsunami Student Conference 2007. It has blessed and changed her life and it has been a blessing to watch her mature in the Lord and watch how He has been working in her heart and life over the last (almost) two years.

Blessings,
Nancy Marentis
Long Beach

The picture is from Liza's 13th birthday party at the rescue mission.

This is the kind of story that keeps me working with Tsunami for the past 18 years and with students for the past 32.

By the way, Tsunami will return to Long Beach in 2010.

Daryl

Why Call It "Tsunami"?

With all the negative press about physical tsunamis in the past few years, why do we still call the conference "Tsunami"?

Tsunami doesn't really refer to the conference itself. The "tsunami" in Tsunami Student Conference is this generation of students that God has created.

Generational theorists have accurately predicted that this generation will be an outwardly focused generation. They will be community minded. They will want to be change agents in their world. They have been called a generation of heroes much like the generation that overcame the Great Depression and WWII. They could also be the largest generation in history, at 76 million. God has created a huge generation of outwardly focused heroes who may well be the greatest missionary force in history.

There are several other ways that this generation is like a Tsunami.

Tsunamis are caused by a movement of the earth either from an earthquake or volcano. This student Tsunami is caused by a movement of God. Regular waves are caused by the wind, but the wind (or Spirit) of God has created a student Tsunami that is far larger than any regular wave.

Tsunamis travel through the deep waters unnoticed for hundreds of miles. The student Tsunami is also not yet seen, but it will be soon.

It is only when a tsunami comes in contact with shallow water near land that the tsunami becomes visible. As the wave encounters the friction of bottom, it begins to pile up on itself and build in height and strength. As this generation of outwardly focused Christians meets the friction of their culture, I believe their power will begin to build to the point where they will be able to overcome much of the spiritual complacency of their world and push back against culture. Like a physical tsunami, they will change the landscape of the world around them.

So, while physical tsunamis may be destructive, this spiritual Tsunami of students is a force that will be a blessing to this world. That is the Tsunami that the Tsunami Student Conference wants to help build.

Studentwave.com

The 2009 tsunami student conference website is live and ready for registration. Click here to view the site. Check back for more information soon!