Church Name: Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Deale, Maryland

As a Youth Pastor, I really appreciated the time and effort World Relief put into their Project 5:16 curriculum. From the bible studies to the video footage, it was awesome. It was cool to go away with the students and share with them their struggles of purity and the importance of helping others in need at the same time. We had a great time, and I believe the students lives were impacted by the event.
- Joe Heinrichs

After participating in the "Project 5:16" event, I found that I experienced a mental and spiritual change. Before going on our retreat, I knew little about Aids and the effects it has on the men, women, and children in Africa and other developing countries. We took part in many rewarding discussions, where we learned the importance of refraining from sex until marriage. These discussions allowed us to be open and express our views and opinions on issues which could potentially change our lives. My thoughts remained with me after the event and I was able to share God's plan with many of my friends, hopefully changing their opinions of sexual abstinence. I strongly believe that in our society, it is essential for youths to learn why we should remain abstinent. God desires purity for his children and sexual abstinence is Gods plan. Sex is precious and natural, but it is meant to be shared between a husband and a wife.
- Brittany Mercer

A few years ago, I made the decision to be sexually pure until marriage. I didn't want to just hand over my virginity, but no one I knew treated sex as sacred, and I didn't know anyone who could support me in my decision. But then, my youth pastor talked to us about Project 5:16. I was really excited to get the chance to ask questions and talk about the hard things that I didn't feel comfortable talking about with anyone else. I realized right then and there that I wasn't ready for the emotional connection that sex involves, and I knew that I didn't want such a deep connection with anyone but my future husband. Project 5:16 showed me that God made me in His image, and he wants me to have the wonderful life he planned for me. He wants me to keep my body pure and holy because I am worth it.
- Molly Groo

Project 5:16 was a great experience. It was awesome to see other teenagers have the same questions about purity, and to know you're not the only one who feels peer pressure from those you even consider best friends. At the same time, it was awesome to help raise money to teach the same thing in places like Africa where diseases like AIDS has such a strong impact. Just to know that doing something as simple as changing sheets or moving boxes would help prevent AIDS and provide education for some was amazing.
- Sara Coughlin