The lights dropped, the music swelled and — bam! — the word hit the stage as the Zion Hill Christian Fellowship Church filled the sanctuary with music, dancing and praise-filled youth for their second annual youth conference.

The Rev. Dr. Darren M. Sophus Sr., pastor of the New Iberia church, said this year’s week of ministry has been inspiring. Thanks to faithful members, he said, the event is drawing groups from as far away as Texas and Tennessee.

“We want to give the youth a higher goal to aim for, to know there’s more in life than violence,” Sophus said as he greeted several arrivals at the door. “We’ve had excellent attendance all week, starting Tuesday night. We’ve had close to 300 people every night.”

More than 100 fans enjoyed FIYA Thursday in New Iberia. JIM MUSTIAN / THE DAILY IBERIAN Advertisement

The conference, recently renamed as Futures Inspired by Youth with Aim, or FIYA, features different activities each night. Tonight’s scheduled concert features two musical groups from Houston, Immortal Combat and Bound 4 Glory Records. Saturday and Sunday’s events will move out of the sanctuary and into the parks, City Park and West End, respectively.

Both days are family days, with a talent show and dance recital Saturday and a barbecue picnic on Sunday.

Thursday night’s Step Show was emceed by the Rev. Jonathan L. Allen, who took the message from the stage and into the aisles, the performers raising the volume as the crowd lit up. But entertainment was only one element of the evening’s event.

“It’s all about focusing on the aim, which is God,” Allen said. “We promise all things will work together for your future if you focus on the aim.”

Allen said this year’s theme is “under construction,” an allusion to the Book of Romans. Partici-pants in hard hats and construction vests roamed the crowd, flashlights swinging as blackouts hit the stage in preparation as the Northside High School Step Team from Lafayette made its way to the stage.

As the lights and bass lit up, the crowd shouted to match the music and the energy of the performers.

“We preach the word,” The Rev. Craig Matthews said during a quiet mo-ment before he addressed the crowd as the evening’s keynote speaker with his message, “Don’t forget about God.”

“All our music is Gospel,” he said. “We share the common interests of the people, and we want to inspire.”